Alfa-Bank rolls out services across Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber & Facebook Messenger

By Megha Bhattacharya

Russia-based Alfa-Bank announced today that it has started serving its clients in popular messengers such as Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber and Facebook Messenger. The company stated that users can click a link, access the Alfa-Message channel on a messenger, and receive a virtual card.

Alfa-Message can be used to transfer money using a card or phone number, to receive money by QR code, to pay for purchases from offline and online stores, to apply for a loan, to register as a self-employed person, or to start a company. All that can be done quickly and without downloading mobile applications. Alfa-Message is currently available to clients with Russian phone numbers.

“We expect more efficient client capture by launching this technology. In the short run, we are going to integrate the messengers in a wide range of our business processes; in particular, convenient messengers will be used for cross-selling, closing deals and to inform clients of their pre-approved offers,” said Alfa-Bank Digital Business Director, Executive Board member Ivan Pyatkov.

Last year, NICE announced that Alfa-Bank Russia has implemented its Real-Time Authentication solution in a bid to enable instant verification for customers. Alfa-Bank is now able to authenticate clients calling into the contact centre in real-time and without any need for code words or additional questions.

NICE stated that its RTA solution includes Proactive Fraudster Exposure and Watch List capabilities, that confirms customer identity in seconds and secures operations for the bank while allowing customers to quickly proceed with banking needs. NICE’s RTA and Fraud Prevention provides end-to-end authentication and fraud prevention for contact centers.

Alfa-Bank is a universal privately-owned bank in Russia. It serves more than 850 thousand corporate clients and 18.7 million retail customers. The bank is developing “A New Generation Branch Network” with recognition based on biometrics and geolocation without refusing live communication with customers.