Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR) clients can now make deposits, withdrawals and pay bills with the click of a mouse.

The bank has introduced Internet banking service that gives clients free 24-hour, seven day a week access to their accounts via the world wide web at their site www.bcr.co.rw so long as one has access to the Internet .

BCR announced the short message service (SMS) and Internet services Wednesday at the bank’s headquarters in Kigali.

"You do not need to visit the bank to make inquiries. It’s an affordable service. You can use it to buy airtime,” Vivian Kayitesi, BCR marketing manager, said of SMS services.

Similarly with the online service, Gilbert Cagaillarde, head of retail banking in BCR, said clients can check their account balances, transfer funds between their accounts, and review their account statement from their home, their office or anywhere they can access the Internet.

He said the development was part of the banks’ move to reduce congestion in banking halls and innovations that position BCR as a leading financial institution in the country.

When Actis, a U.K-based banking institution, took over BCR in 2005, the company promised to turn the bank around by providing innovative financial services solutions in the region.

This was after the government sold off 80 per cent, retaining only 20 per cent equity in BCR.

They also promised to support the development of the banking sector in Rwanda, the development of the economy and to be the leading bank in the country.

"BCR is committed to providing customers with products and services that will help them save time and maximize their resources,” explained Cagaillarde.

The services come at a time when BCR clients have been complaining that there is congestion in most banking halls as the number of account holders grow every day.

The bank boasts of controlling 26 per cent of the Rwandan banking sector, second to Banque de Kigali, and has 30,000 clients as of Wednesday.

Ends