In an effort to take banking facilities to the doorsteps of its clients, the Bank of Bhutan (BoB) launched ‘Banking on Wheels’ in Thimphu today. The new service is part of BoB’s financial inclusion initiative.
Banking on wheels will provide basic banking facilities from a mobile van like an opening of bank accounts, accepting loan applications, cash deposits and withdrawals, account balance enquiries and fund transfers among others.
The mobile van will travel to various areas in Thimphu on a fixed schedule and provide banking services to the community in the particular area.
“The reason for starting this is to take banking services to the public as Thimphu is getting bigger. We thought that it will be convenient for people,” Pema N. Nadik, the Chief Executive Officer of Bob, said.
To begin with, the bank provided its services near Thimphu Memorial Chorten.
“Bringing banking services at the doorstep will benefit us. We do not have to go to banks and wait in a queue,” Rangshar Rigtsel Wangdhen, a client, said.
If successful in Thimphu, the bank plans to roll out the initiative to other dzongkhags as well.
Established in 1968, the BoB is the oldest and largest bank in the country.