April 19th, 2010: United Bank Limited (UBL) formally announced the launch of its unique and unmatched branchless banking service today, under the brand name of UBL Omni.
UBL Omni branchless banking now being made available at UBL Omni Dukaans across Pakistan is a major milestone in the evolution of banking that will reshape the traditional banking model by offering basic banking services across urban and rural Pakistan, well beyond the regular branch networks of banks.
Customers across Pakistan can now open a UBL Omni bank account at any UBL Omni Dukaan of their choosing, whether close to their home or place of work, by using their CNIC number and mobile phone number – their mobile phone number will effectively become their bank account number irrespective of which service provider they use. A UBL Omni account can be opened with as small an amount as Rs.500/=.
A UBL Omni account holder will subsequently be able to deposit and withdraw cash, make utility bill payments, receive or remit money, purchase mobile card vouchers, make postpaid mobile bill payments and more at any UBL Omni Dukaan anywhere in the country as long as the Dukaan is open. No longer will they have to visit a bank branch to conduct their basic banking transactions nor will they be limited by standard banking hours.
Every UBL Omni transaction channel such as UBL Netbanking / WAP, SMS, Contact Centre or ATM is equipped with its own specific security features to ensure a secure and convenient customer experience every time.
This service is yet another first for the UBL that has the distinction of launching the first "mobile wallet" in South Asia called UBL Orion three years ago. Orion was a precursor of UBL Omni, which was followed by several other mobile banking products being launched in the country.
Even persons without a UBL Omni bank account will be entertained at a UBL Omni Dukaan where they can make utility bill payments, receive or remit money, purchase mobile card vouchers and make postpaid mobile bill payments.
Backed by UBL's strong heritage, UBL Omni is expected to not only benefit millions of customers who do not reside close to a bank branch or have been unable to open a bank account yet, but also contribute towards more orderly and secure financial transactions anywhere and everywhere.