Kazahstani banks initiate WhatsApp call-center services

Kazakhstani banks are starting to consultations over WhatsApp, Tengrinews reports citing the press office of Kassa Nova bank.

Kassa Nova bank has already introduced WhatsApp instant messaging into its banking services. “The bank has opened a new channel for communication with clients. The WhatsApp-center is already functioning,” the press office of the bank said. The bank hopes that the instant messaging service will facilitate and speed up its communication with clients.

They also hope to address urgent business inquires through WhatsApp. “Using the functions available in WhatsUp Kassa Nova will be able to receive and send messages, join clients in groups for collective discussions and inform its clients about news and updates,” the press office explained.

In the meanwhile, Kaspi bank is using WhatsApp and Viber services as a pilot project.  Eurasian Bank is also considering implementing WhatsApp, but only if it proves itself a viable method of communicating with clients. One of the biggest banks in the country KazKom is also toying with the idea of using the Facebook-owned instant messaging app in its work with clients. The bank has already successfully implemented Skype as an addition to its landline call center. The press office of KazKom said that Skype was mostly used by clients from abroad resulting in 5000 calls per month.

WhatsApp that emerged in 2009, has made it to a number of smartphone platforms including Google Android, BlackBerry OS, Apple iOS, some of Nokia Series 40, Symbian and Microsoft Windows Phone. By 2014, WhatsApp had over 500 million active users and was acquired by Facebook for $19 million.

Reporting by Azhar Ashirova, writing by Gyuzel Kamalova, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina