National Bank's new branch to host Yuan centre

National Bank has opened a premium banking branch at Nairobi’s upmarket area, Yaya Centre, that houses the region’s first Chinese Renminbi (Yuan) exchange centre. It is aimed at facilitating trade between Kenya and China. The branch provides customers with meeting space, free internet, children play-area and a choice between English, Swahili or Chinese speaking personal bankers.

The branch launched on Wednesday by Managing Director Munir Ahmed, Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro and Chairman Mohammed Abdirahman, aims to tap into the growing middle class. “In addition, our customers will have access to secure hand-held devices for e-banking, free wireless internet access and their children enjoy a children play area, entertainment centre and minders,” said Munir.

NBK is taking this further to include consideration for family and business networking,” said Derek Bbanga, an image consultant. Abdirahman said Yaya branch brings the number of NBK’s new-look premium banking branches to ten in 2015.

The bank doubled its profits to Sh2.5 billion for the first half of 2015 up from Sh1.25 billion in a similar period in 2014, attributed to the ongoing transformation and goodwill among Kenyans. -James Wanzala