Mobicash to offer Mobile Accounts to subscribers of all mobile networks

Mobicash, with the tradition of exploring new possibilities, has announcedthe launch of itsMobile Accounts to subscribers of other mobile networks.Through this first of its kind initiative in telecom sector,Mobicash looks to cater to the growing demand for financial services by the masses. It positions Mobicash at the forefront of cutting edge innovation in the financial space.

“The launch of Mobicash Mobile Account service for other mobile network subscribers utilizes our technical expertise and nationwide retail network to provide a ground-breaking solution to the ever increasing financial needs of our fellow countrymen. Staying true to our promise, we shall continue to work on developing similar services to address customer needs while strengthening our market position.” said Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services – Mobilink

The launch of this service is a big step by Mobicash in empowering the entire customer base, irrespective of their mobile connection, with complete financial liberation and takinginteroperability to a whole new level. Last year alone, Mobicash launched two interoperable services in the shape of mobile load service for all mobilenetworks and Inter-Bank Funds Transfers. 

This service will directly lead to accelerating thefinancial cover across the masses by removing the inherent barriers that exist in comparable services. 

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Mobicash Partners With Cheezmall.Com to Simplify Online Shopping Experience

Mobicash has partnered with Cheezmall.com, the Chinese Online Shopping Portal in Pakistan to facilitate online shopping for making payments for purchases made through cheezmall.com. The service enables customers with most convenient and secure online payment options.
With the Chinese supplier base of more than 200,000 Cheezmall.com brings a new revolution of online shopping in Pakistan. Through these deals, products are available at extremely lower as a limited time offer. The portal operates in four major categories including Electronics, Home and Bedding, Appliances, Apparels and also some Automobile parts. The nerve center of this portal for Pakistan is located in Shanghai, China.  
Aniqa Afzal Sindhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services - Mobilink commenting on the partnership said, “The collaboration will provide customers with the utmost ease of shopping online along with the satisfaction of using a reliable and instant medium for payment. We at Mobicash continuously work to bring ease to our customer and this initiative is yet another step in fulfilling the needs of our customers.”
Speaking on this occasion Mr Aurangzeb Khan CEO Cheezmall.com stated, “The agreement will enable us to integrate into E-commerce market nationwide by introducing best customers solutions for online shoppers. Our product's quality and best customer service has assured 95% acceptance rate of the products because the products we are dealing in are not available anywhere with such a cost effective price and quality.”
To utilize this mobile financial service, Mobicash users can generate an order and pay by visiting Mobicash retail outlet or directly through their Mobile Accounts or credit / debit card.

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Facilitation of humanitarian aid lands Glomo Awards nomination for Mobicash

Mobicash, a joint venture of Mobilink, Pakistan’s largest telecommunication service provider, and Waseela Microfinance Bank has been nominated for the esteemed GSMA’s GLOMO Awards 2016. Mobicash’s ‘Funds Disbursement for Humanitarian Aid’ is selected in the category of ‘Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations’.
Launched in 2012, Mobicash has become the fastest growing MFS provider in the country with more than 59,000 agents in 633 cities, towns and villages of Pakistan. It also deploys its services in regions hit by disasters and natural calamities. Various public & private organizations engage Mobicash in such projects. The ‘Funds Disbursement for Humanitarian Aid’ is aimed exclusively for assisting affectees of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The service was first assigned by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Oct’14 to distribute Punjab Government’s allocated funds in inaccessible areas to families affected by country’s worst ever flooding.  In the same year Pakistan army launched a military operation in North Waziristan to root out terrorism from the country. In relation to the aftermath of this military operation, thousands of residents were displaced & relocated to various areas across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) approached Mobicash in Feb’ 15 to assist in the disbursement of relocation & settlement allowances to temporarily displaced people (TDPs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Through this program, Mobicash showcased its ability of accessing areas labeled inaccessible by banks and other financial institutions, especially in the aftermath of these calamities. Funds were granted to beneficiaries on their mobile accounts with Mobicash sending daily data to the concerned parties for complete visibility of payments being received by the beneficiaries. The biometric based solution enabled Mobicash to ensure no doubling of payments occur, and negate fake claims to the relief funds. The transparency of the procedure ultimately increased credibility of the project. 
Jeffery Hedberg, CEO, Mobilink commented, “We are very pleased to represent Pakistan positively on an international level. The nomination has highlighted Mobilink’s continued dedication to Pakistan and is a great tribute to our team who are delivering in every way we can for our customers.”
While congratulating to all of the nominees for the 2016 GLOMO Awards, Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA stated, "With more than 930 entries this year - a new record - the competition is greater than ever, reflecting the tremendous diversity and pace of innovation across the mobile world. We are particularly excited to be celebrating the 21st year of the awards with a dynamic new format that will recognize and honor achievement throughout Mobile World Congress.”

This year, 285 nominees have been shortlisted for more than 40 awards over eight categories. The event will be held on Feb 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Over 500,000 Active Mobicash Accounts

Mobicash has crossed the 500,000monthly active mobile accounts mark up from the 25,000 monthly active mobile accounts in April 2015. This 20 times increase in active users signifies the strength of the 2.5 million mobile accounts registered by Mobicash. The unprecedented growth over the past 8 months is owed to the company’s effective strategies put in place to register and educate customers on Mobile Accounts.

While congratulating his team at a ceremony held to mark this milestone, Jeffrey Hedberg, President & President Mobilink, said, 

“This is yet another milestone for our company, which showcases our resolve towards positively contributing to financial inclusion across the communities of Pakistan and is a clear demonstration of our Mobicash strategy in action. I appreciate the efforts of our team who continue to work innovatively to provide the best customer experience across the country, may it be in the shape of new services or by strengthening our retail network. As an entity, we not only believe in opening new avenues for our customers, but also in adding value by building a stronger relationship with them.”

Speaking on the milestone and the objectives being pursued by the MFS provider, Head of Mobile Financial Services - Mobilink, Aniqa Afzal Sandhu stated, 

“Mobile accounts are the future of financial services in Pakistan and Mobicash has played a vital role in its provision to the masses. Ourstrong 58,000 plus retailer networkassists with our aim to improve lives by ensuring subscribers living in localities with limited formal banking services utilize Mobicash to avail the variety of financial services it offers. This milestone is another step towards our objective of bridging the prevalent divide between the banked and unbanked populace of Pakistan.”

The pioneering product of Mobicash gives customers the option to maintain a branchless banking account with their Mobilink number that can be operated through a simple USSD menu. Cash can be deposited or withdrawn from any of the 58,000+Mobicash Agents spread across Pakistan. Mobicash Mobile Account allows users the option to transfer funds to other Mobicash Mobile Accounts, other Operator’s Mobile Accounts,other 1-Link/M-NET connected bank accounts or any person’s identity card, while also enabling customers to pay for a variety of services. Moreover, Mobicash has also launched its ATM Card, which allows users to withdraw funds from their Mobile Account via any ATM of a 1-Link or M-NET connected Bank

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Mobicash to provide Mobile Banking Services to Punjab Vocational Training Council

Mobicash and Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) have signed an agreement whereby, the Mobile Financial Services (MFS) provider will open up mobile accounts of more than 135,000 PVTC students across Punjab to disburse funds.

The signing ceremony was attended by Aamir Ibrahim, CCO and Deputy CEO – Mobilink and Sajid Naseer Khan, ManagingDirector – PVTC along with their respective teams. 

The project agreed upon by PVTC and Mobicash is divided in to two categories. Category A will see Mobicash open up mobile accounts of 60,000 PVTC students, and disburse a monthly stipend of PKR 3000 per student on to these accounts. In category B, Mobicash will ensure 75,000 PVTC students open up a mobile account during the year, so that a stipend of PKR 500 per month can be transferred to each student. The students can then withdraw their respective amounts through Mobicash’s 58,000 strong retail networks across Pakistan without a cash-out fee.

As per the agreement, Mobicash will also open core banking accounts of all PVTC training institutes for the purpose of receipt and disbursement of Zakat to students, and fee collection.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Financial Services – Mobilink   stated, “There is ample opportunity to utilize our Mobicash platform to serve the marginalized community in Pakistan, as Mobile Financial Servicesserve as an ideal fund disbursement channel. Facilitating Punjab Vocational Training Council in their fund disbursements is part of our effort to accelerate social-uplift ventures, while also ensuring transparent and swift transactions.”

PVTC is an autonomous corporate body established under the Act of Parliament and providing skills training to the vulnerable youth of Punjab, this enables less privileged sections of the society to become empowered economically by imparting demand driven skill training to enhance employability opportunities.

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Mobilink Honors Pakistan’s Number 1 Batsman

  Pakistan’s Number 1 Network, Mobilink pays tribute to Younus Khan

Mobilink recently paid tribute to Younus Khan, Pakistan’s Number One Test Batsman for becoming Pakistan’s highest test scorer. The legendary batsman was presented with a cheque along with a golden helmet by Mobilink’s Deputy CEO & CCO Aamir Ibrahim for crossing the 9000 runs mark by beating the record previously held by the legend Javed Miandad for more than two decades. The presentation took place in Dubai in a ceremony where Asif Aziz, VP Marketing - Mobilink and Shahbaz Maqsood Khan, Director Brands and Communications - Mobilink were also present. 

To celebrate Younus Khan’s historic milestone, Mobilink has also launched a comprehensive campaign that included a TVC, outdoor boards and digital activities. All Pakistanis and cricketing fans are encouraged to be part of this tribute by tweeting their comments on #wearenumber1. 

Mobilink believes that our local and national heroes need appreciation and continues to play its part in providing the people of Pakistan with a platform to support them. Speaking at the event Aamir Ibrahim, Deputy CEO & CCO said, “There is no doubt that Younus is one of the batting greats of the modern era. Responding best in what were the tough years for Pakistan cricket, Younus’ calm demeanor has allowed him to consistently do well for the country, especially when the team needs his presence on the crease most.  It is an honor to present this living legend a golden helmet, which signifies his position as the best batsman Pakistan has ever produced.”

Mobilink’s association with cricket has been special mainly because this sport ignites huge passion amongst the nation. Mobilink has always supported local talent by providing them with opportunities to hone their skills by collaborating with National Cricket Academy (NCA) to nurture future cricket heroes. Apart from similar initiatives, we continually promote our sporting legends and high achievers. Mobilink is also one of the leading sponsors of not just cricketing events, but other sports like Golf and Polo.

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Mobicash Digitizing Movie Ticket Purchase with Mandviwalla Entertainment

Mobicash and Mandviwalla Entertainment (ME) signed an agreement, whereby customers will now be able to purchase their movie tickets through Mobicash. This cinema ticketing solution allows moviegoers the convenience of skipping the physical ticket purchase process altogether, and purchase their tickets by paying through their phones or nearby Mobicash outlets with a pre-generated cinema ticket ID.

The signing ceremony, held at Mobilink House, Islamabad, was attended by the following Mobilink representatives in Aamir Ibrahim - Deputy CEO & CCO, Aniqa Afzal Sandhu - Head of MFS, Asif Aziz - VP Marketing, Shahbaz Maqsood Khan - Director Brands and Syed Jaffar Abbas Shirazi - Senior Manager MFS Corporate Segments, while ME was represented by Nadeem H.Mandviwalla - Managing Director.  

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Aniqa Afzal Sandhu stated, “This deal is certainly a game changer for the industry. Not only will this make going to the movies more enjoyable for audiences, but it also delivers enormous value to our product and our partner, Mandviwalla Entertainment. This is yet another innovation that supports our commitment to providing customers with a convenient way of making purchases through a streamlined process demonstrating ease and security.”

 “The comfort and convenience of our customers has always been Mandviwalla Entertainment’s top priority and this agreement with Mobicash is a testament to that very commitment. Currently, our customers have the facility of buying movie tickets from our cinemas’ booking offices, and a home delivery system through our website booking system. This new facility not only expands to better facilitate our valued customers with just one touch of a button on their mobile phones, but will also help  us in selling  more  tickets by reducing  the  hassle  of  buying  from  the  box office,” added Nadeem H. Mandviwalla. 

A move, which looks to revolutionize the age-old cinema ticket purchase procedure is completed in four simple steps: Customer visits ME’s website or contacts their call center to book a ticket, customer upon booking receives a unique cinema ticket ID, they then use this unique cinema ticket ID to make payments through their mobile accounts or visit the nearest Mobicash outlet to do the same, and upon payment customers receive a confirmation SMS signaling the successful end of the procedure. ME and Mobicash will also provide users a 24/7 helpline support system for bill payments and bookings.

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Mobicash Launches ‘Bachat Account’ for its Savings Conscious Subscribers

Mobicash, continuing with its innovative offerings, has launched a savings account for its mobile account holders. Aptly titled ‘Bachat Account’, it provides an incentive to account holders conscious of their saving habits by offering them a daily profit on maintaining a certain balance of money in their mobile account.  The profit in the “Bachat Account” is calculated and posted to the mobile account on a daily basis. This service comes with unique features that are industry first initiatives, daily posting to the mobile account and option to subscribe/un-subscribe directly from customer mobile account menu.

This service is available to both existing and new Mobicash Mobile Account customers.

Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Senior Director Mobile Financial Services - Mobilink, while expressing her joy at the launch of this latest product stated, 

“This latest product will be of immense benefit to our customer base as it offers them a handsome return on their earnings and promotes a savings culture. Around the globe, people are encouraged to save for a better tomorrow, and our product is a step in that direction. Mobicash wants to provide Pakistani citizens with a safeguard against economic uncertainty and other personal emergencies. In line with our vision to bridge the divide between banked and unbanked proportions, our Bachat Account offers individuals an opportunity to lead a better lifestyle by encouraging micro-saving.”

This service currently offers mobile account holders three separate saving plans based on a set range of balance requirements: Bachat Plan A sets PKR 2500 as the minimum balance, which offers users an annual profit rate of 6%, Bachat Plan B has a minimum balance requirement of PKR 7,500 with an annual return of 7%, while Bachat Plan C offers an industry high annual return of 9% on a minimum balance of PKR 15,000.  For a free of charge subscription to a Bachat Plan, Mobicash Mobile Account holders need to dial *786# from their phone and go to ‘My Account’ and select ‘Bachat Account’, then choose a relevant Bachat Plan and enter the MPIN for confirmation. 

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Mobicash Services to be Available on NADRA e-Sahulat

Mobicash and NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL) signed an MOU to launch Branchless Banking services on NADRA e-Sahulat Platform. This partnership enables Mobicash customers to utilize the 12,000+ NADRA e-Sahulat kiosks across Pakistan for utility bill payments, domestic money transfers, loan repayments, opening of new Mobile Accounts and various other services in the futures.

Saleem Rafik, Director General Operations - NTL signed the MOU on behalf of NTL, Mobicash was represented by GhazanfarAzzam, CEO - Waseela Bank.  Both expressed great potential in the partnership and also talked about other ventures that could be undertaken together by leveraging their platforms in the future.  

Saleem Rafik stated that NADRA e-Sahulat franchise model was the first platform to offer electronic payment of utility bills in Pakistan. He further explained, “NTL believes in collaborations and Mobicash is a strategic partner for providing digital services in Pakistan. The collaboration with Mobicash is a giant step towards adding a portfolio of branchless banking services in to our e-Sahulat platform. Our joint network will enable domestic remittance and other Branchless Banking services for the convenience of public. The joint venture will facilitate banking industry for financial inclusion in the larger national interest”.

“e-Sahulat platform is the first real switch towards electronic banking and together we both share a common goal of providing micro-finance services to rural and other under privileged areas of the country”, added Ghazanfar Azzam.                                            

Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Senior Director Mobile Financial services - Mobilink, while expressing great hope in the new partnership stated, “This venture will be of immense benefit to our customer base as this will mean ease of access for them through additional conveniently located agents.”

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Mobicash Becomes First Mobile Financial Services Provider to Offer NFC Payment Solutions in Pakistan

Mobicash has become the first mobile financial services provider (MFS) to launch Near Field Communication (NFC) payments on vending machines for its esteemed mobile account users after signing an agreement with Batwa and Wavetec. Through this collaboration, Mobicash users will be able to purchase items from Wavetec’s NFC enabled vending machines which are to be installed at various places around the country. As a pilot, this facility will be available at the Mobilink premises for employees. After a successful trial period, the facility will be available to Mobicash Mobile Account holders. This first of its kind initiative is another step in Mobicash’s vision for a secure and reliable cashless ecosystem in the near future.

To launch the NFC payments mechanism, a signing ceremony was held in Islamabad, attended by Ms. Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Director Mobile Financial services - Mobilink, Adnan Asdar, Director - Batwa, Sajid Farooqi, CEO - Batwa, Ahmed Fraz, CEO – Wavetec, and Saim Ehtesham, HOD - Vendi. 

Speaking about this first of its kind innovative offering, Aniqa Afzal Sandhu stated,

“NFC based payment solutions open up a unique opportunity to enable our 1.5 million strong Mobicash mobile account user family to use NFC technology to pay for day to day transactions, starting with these NFC based vending machines. As a promoter of branchless banking in the country with a vision to bridge the prevalent divide between the banked and unbanked population, we believe rapid growth of NFC based payment solutions is for the benefit of a cashless ecosystem. The next step in this cashless ecosystem revolution is the launch of our NFC enabled retail payment solutions across Pakistan. We would like to thank Batwa and Wavetec for jointly assisting us in the development of an efficient and customized solution for our customers.”

Adding his thoughts on the need for more NFC based payment solutions, Ahmed Fraz said, 

“Pakistan has great potential for a NFC based payment ecosystem, especially since MFS accounts for a great amount of financial activity amongst the large unbanked population. Such solutions will offer greater benefits to the consumers, retailers and cashless banking sector in the country.” 

Adnan Asdar further added 

“I would like to congratulate the entire Mobilink, Wavetec, Vendi and Batwa teams on successfully collaborating to launch this project; a big step towards creating a cash lite eco-system.  Its success will emphasize the importance of an agnostic infrastructure for accelerating financial inclusion and bringing down the cost of doing business for all stakeholders.”

To use this innovative payment solution, Mobicash users will input their mobile number to acquire an NFC tag, payment for which will be deducted from their mobile account, and will then place this tag on the Vendi’s  NFC reader to link their Mobicash mobile account to their NFC tag.  Upon selection of an item from Vendi, the user will enter his/her MPIN on their phone to complete the transaction. 

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Mobicash Celebrates Independence Day with Specially Designed ATM Cards

To celebrate Pakistan’s independence and share the feeling of patriotism with its subscribers, Mobicash has introduced the distinctive, one of its kind, Independence Day ATM card. Mobicash Mobile Account users can get these limited edition ATM cards by visiting their nearest Mobilink Customer Care Centers and Franchises, nationwide.

“It is our way of connecting with the celebrations across the country on the birth of this great nation. It provides our mobile account subscribers an opportunity to showcase their love for the nation by carrying this patriotically designed ATM card.” said Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services - Mobilink. 

Mobicash Mobile Account customers can use ATM cards to withdraw cash from any ATM across Pakistan. For further convenience, PIN change option is available through the USSD menu and through a call to the customer care center.

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Mobicash Now has the Largest Mobile Account Registration Network in Pakistan

In a bid to facilitate customers, enable ease of access and grow its network, Mobicash has announced it shall now be utilizing its 55,000 strong retailer base for registration of new Mobile Accounts.  This first of its kind initiative enables Mobicash to have the largest number of Mobile Account registration locations in Pakistan and would help reduce the divide between the banked and unbanked population of Pakistan.

Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services explained the thought behind this development by stating, 

"We are continuously striving to ensure a greater part of the population realizes and utilizes the numerous benefits associated with Mobicash Mobile Account. Furthermore, Mobicash has always promoted branchless banking in the country since our vision is to bridge the prevalent divide between the banked and unbanked population." 

Mobilink customers can also open a mobile account by dialing *786# from their Bio-metrically verified SIM or by visiting any  Mobilink Franchise, Mobilink customer care center or Branch of Waseela Microfinance Bank. Through a Mobicash Mobile Account, customers can avail an array of services like Bill Payment, Money Transfer, ATM Cards, IBFT, Other Mobile Operator Top-ups and others features all through their mobile handsets.      

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Mobicash Introduces Other Mobile Operator Load Purchase On Gogi7.com

Islamabad

 – 29th June, 2015:  Mobicash has introduced a first of its kind service – Other Mobile Operator (OMO) Load Purchase for all Mobicash Mobile Account Users. Through OMO Load Purchase service Mobicash Mobile Account users can now buy Prepaid Air Time for all subscribers of selected Telecomoperators as well. Previously, this service was available to purchase only Mobilink Load. This service is a big step towards giving more freedom to the customers and building further on inter-connectivity platform after the launch of Inter-Bank Funds Transfer service launched earlier this year.

To avail this service, registered Mobicash Mobile Account users can dial *786# from their mobile phone, select the Load Purchase option, followed by the company whose’ subscriber’s load they want to purchase. Customer is given fixed denominations of load amount to choose from. Mobicash’s OMO Load Purchase service builds upon several other innovative financial services offered by Mobicash, the most recent being an inventive corporate health insurance product – MobiCare. The Other Mobile Operator Load purchase is currently available for selected telecomoperators.

http://www.gogi7.com/mobicash-introduces-other-mobile-operator-load-purchase/

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Mobilink Subscribers can open Mobicash Mobile Account (Read How)

Mobicash has announced an exciting offer for the existing Mobilink customers whereby biometrically verified subscribers shall be able to open up a Mobicash Mobile Account by simply dialing *786#. The offer is introduced to encourage the use of Mobile Accounts which will benefit the overall landscape of Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Pakistan. As an added incentive, customers shall be awarded 250 free Mobilink minutes upon their first cash deposit.

The registration will not require any additional documents. Once the registration is complete, the subscriber will be sent a 4 digit PIN which must be changed for ensuring security by dialing *786#. As this offer is only for biometrically verified subscribers, thus non-biometric verified Mobilink subscribers will be required to visit the nearest Mobilink franchise, Business Center and selected Mobicash retailers for activating their Mobile Account. In case a subscriber’s CNIC is expired or there is discrepancy in data available at NADRA, the request for an account registration shall be deferred.

Aniqa Afzal Sandhu, Head of Mobile Financial Services, Mobilink speaking about the offer said, “It is our way of thanking our subscriber base for successfully following the biometric re-verification regime and introducing convenience for our new customers. This offer is a step towards ensuring increased financial benefits to the under-banked and unbanked population of Pakistan. The one step Mobile Account set up will entice potential users to utilize Mobicash’s superior financial services.”

Previously, subscribers had to visit the nearest branch of Waseela Microfinance Bank, Mobilink franchise or Mobilink customer care center to open up their mobile account.

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