Last week Wednesday 9th November, Banque Populaire du Rwanda Part of Atlas Mara hosted a client cocktail at Serena Hotel in Rubavu District. The purpose of the event was to recognize clients’ support and patronage.

Clients from small and medium enterprises in Rubavu and Muzanze, BPR Board of Directors, Executive committee members (EXCO), staff attended the event.

Sanjeev Anand the Managing Director thanked all clients for attending and honoring the bank’s invitation and appreciated their loyalty in choosing BPR as their bank of choice. "You are not only customers but partners” He added, in January when Atlas Mara joined BPR with 62% total shares there has been a tremendous improvement in service delivery. "Some of our customers would complain about poor services, we have therefore taken new measures in improving service delivery and ensuring customer satisfaction is maximized. I assure you all that BPR will continue improving its customer experience and deliver excellent services to meet stakeholder’s needs.

In addition, BPR’s strategy involves growth into cooperate, SME and the unbanked segments of the market in ease access to financial services, which involves introduction of Digital solutions in bringing innovation and creating convenience through contributing towards digitalization of the economy and the quest to create a cashless economy. Among these include digital products is the BPR mobile application available 24/7. BPR Mobile Application is a powerful, secured and global application that allows clients to check their account balances, water bills payments, buy airtime, the app shall soon allow clients to request loans without going to the branches.

Internet banking is another online service that will allow clients pay salaries to employees, send and receive money, local currency transfer, foreign exchange bills among others, Sanjeev explained.

Starting this month, BPR will launch push pull product that was developed in partnership with telecom operators in Rwanda. "This is a product that facilitates clients to do transfers from BPR account to an e-wallet and from an e-wallet to BPR account instantly”, In addition, the bank will soon reveal new innovative and creative products among them include; Credit power that will be launched beginning next year 2017. "Today, we have cash powers, the new credit power system will help our customers to buy electricity easily and faster.

John F Vitalo, the CEO of Atlas Mara Limited and Chairman BPR Board noted that Rwanda is the best country to invest in due to its available Opportunities. "We are building African banking group we chose Rwanda to be among the countries to invest in because Rwanda is a very organized and well managed country where regulations on business work very well. There are more opportunities to run out any business,” said John Vitalo.

"BPR is one of the solutions the district has in advancing investment and improving people’s welfare. Our target is to develop the country, and in order to achieve this, we have to collaborate with the banks” said Janvier Murenzi, Rubavu vice-mayor in charge of economic development.

Felin Fiat BPR’s loyal customer, recognized a good partnership BPR. "I thank BPR for caring and always having a unique way of treating and supporting its customers, I will continue to build a strong partnership with BPR in the development of our country as well as our families,” said Fiat.

As of the rumors being circulated that BPR is firing its staff, Sanjeev Anand updated attendees that in order to serve better our clients and introduce competitive products in the market it was necessary to have an efficient structure and staff re-fit with the right skills to all allow the bank reach its target to become the best bank in Rwanda. BPR is not firing employees but restructuring.

"We are the bank with the largest network and largest number of customers than all other banks. We have more branches than any other bank in the country. We are aligning our organization to make it efficient and responsive.”