Bank of Abyssinia: Top Bank in Ethiopia

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Serene savanna landscape in Ethiopia with acacia trees under a clear blue sky.
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Bank of Abyssinia is the largest bank in Ethiopia, with a rich history dating back to 1905. It was established as a private bank and has since grown to become a major player in the country's financial sector.

The bank has a strong presence in the Ethiopian market, with over 300 branches across the country. This extensive network allows Bank of Abyssinia to provide its services to a wide range of customers, from individuals to large corporations.

Bank of Abyssinia offers a wide range of financial services, including corporate banking, retail banking, and investment services. Its expertise in these areas has earned the bank a reputation as a trusted financial partner in Ethiopia.

The bank's commitment to innovation has also been a key factor in its success, with a focus on using technology to improve its services and expand its reach.

Bank Overview

Bank of Abyssinia is rapidly evolving, with increasing adoption of digital services and innovative financial products.

The bank is focused on improving accessibility, efficiency, and financial inclusion for both businesses and individuals.

Services and Partnerships

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Bank of Abyssinia has made significant strides in expanding its services to reach more Ethiopians. The bank's focus on digital banking has allowed it to cater to underserved communities in remote areas.

The bank offers a range of services, including Business Banking for SMEs, Corporate, Islamic, and Retail banking. These services are designed to meet the diverse needs of customers across different sectors.

Bank of Abyssinia has partnered with Temenos to deliver a seamless digital experience. This partnership has enabled the bank to meet strict regulatory requirements for new digital banks set by the National Bank of Ethiopia.

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Deepening Partnerships

Deepening partnerships is crucial for a rapid implementation. Bank of Abyssinia enlisted the support of Temenos business partner Xpert Digital to deploy Temenos digital banking.

Temenos digital banking went live in just four months with the help of Xpert Digital. The Xpert Digital team played a lead role in designing a digital banking ecosystem that is secure, reliable, and easy to use.

Bank Notes
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Xpert Digital helped Bank of Abyssinia redesign key workflows for a completely digital environment incorporating best practices. The team leveraged integrations with Idemia to build efficient, highly secure, and automated verification processes.

Onboarding customers rapidly and with confidence is crucial for any bank. Bank of Abyssinia was able to achieve this with the help of Xpert Digital and Idemia's identity and security solution.

Top 6 Banks in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a thriving banking sector, with several top-notch banks that cater to various financial needs.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is the largest bank in the country, with a market share of over 30%.

The bank has a wide network of branches and ATMs across the country, making it easily accessible to customers.

Dashen Bank is another prominent bank in Ethiopia, known for its innovative mobile banking services.

The bank offers a range of financial products, including loans, savings accounts, and credit cards.

Amazing scenery of calm rippling water flowing near bank with trees with golden foliage in autumn woods
Credit: pexels.com, Amazing scenery of calm rippling water flowing near bank with trees with golden foliage in autumn woods

Zemen Bank is a state-owned bank that provides financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The bank has a strong focus on supporting the country's economic growth and development.

Awash Bank is a private bank that offers a range of financial services, including corporate banking and treasury services.

The bank has a significant presence in the country's major cities, including Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.

United Bank is a leading bank in Ethiopia, known for its excellent customer service and secure online banking platform.

The bank offers a range of financial products, including personal loans and credit cards.

Habesha Bank is a private bank that provides financial services to individuals and businesses.

The bank has a strong focus on supporting the country's economic growth and development.

Security and Trust

Bank of Abyssinia prioritizes security and trust to protect its customers' sensitive information. The bank implemented Temenos Financial Crime Mitigation to safeguard against potential fraudsters and cyber criminals.

Credit: youtube.com, amazing technology of abyssinia bank (ITM) the best banking technology wach it how it works !!!

The bank's digital services make it essential to verify customer identity from the moment they sign up. This is done with the help of Temenos Financial Crime Mitigation.

With this system, Bank of Abyssinia can identify potential fraudsters and prevent them from making transactions in near real-time. This ensures that customers can trust the bank with their financial information.

Business Banking

Business banking in Ethiopia is rapidly evolving, with increasing adoption of digital services and innovative financial products.

Mobile banking is one of the key trends driving this evolution, making it easier for businesses and individuals to access financial services on the go. Mobile banking offers improved accessibility and convenience.

Enhanced customer service is another significant trend, with banks like Bank of Abyssinia focusing on providing tailored financial solutions to meet the unique needs of their customers.

Tailored financial solutions are designed to improve efficiency and financial inclusion for businesses and individuals. This can include customized loan products and other financial services.

Overall, the advancements in business banking in Ethiopia are having a positive impact on the economy and the lives of its citizens.

Empowering Customers

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Bank of Abyssinia has significantly increased its customer base by building and launching end-to-end digital banking services with Temenos core and digital banking platforms.

With Temenos, customers can sign up for an account from their mobiles by submitting a video of themselves and a copy of their national identity card, and get new accounts up and running within one day.

The bank is seeing up to 1,000 new accounts opened every day, and the majority of these are via its digital banking channel.

Bank of Abyssinia enables customers to apply for loans via its mobile banking app, helping more people to access credit.

With Temenos digital banking, the bank can approve loans and give customers their funds within a few seconds, as long as they meet the lending criteria.

This game-changing solution has empowered customers to bank with the bank confidently at any time and from any location.

General Information

Bank of Abyssinia is a bank that was established in 1905 in Ethiopia.

It was founded by Italian entrepreneurs, who were attracted to the country's rich natural resources and strategic location.

The bank's early years were marked by a focus on financing trade and commerce in the region.

History

Person Putting Coin in a Piggy Bank
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The Bank of Abyssinia was established in 1905 and inaugurated on 16 February 1906 by Emperor Menelik II.

It opened its office in Addis Ababa and Harare, marking the beginning of modern banking in Ethiopia. The bank began issuing banknotes in 1915, funded by the British-owned National Bank of Egypt.

Ethiopians continued to use Maria Theresa thalers during this time. The bank was re-established as Bank of Ethiopia during Emperor Haile Selassie's regime.

In 1974, the bank was nationalized by the Derg government and merged with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. On 16 February 1996, the bank was re-established as a private share company with the same name and logo.

Latest News

The Bank of Abyssinia has enjoyed another profitable year, amassing 4.23 billion Br net profits, an increase of 10.5pc from last year.

The bank's total assets have surged by 17.3pc to 222.3 billion Br, with total deposits mobilised through the year climbing by 33.97 billion Br to 192.51 billion Br.

Silver and Gold Coins Near Piggy Bank
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Loans and advances reached 167.7 billion Br, but the bank exhibited a nominal decline in its foreign currency earnings totalling 424 million dollars.

Earnings per share showed a marked decline of six percent to 33pc during the year.

The bank has implemented a strategic plan to increase its service outlets in both physical and digital forms, with total branches reaching 930.

Total ATMs and POS machines have reached 1,429 and 2,160, respectively.

The bank's CEO, Bekalu Zeleke, has pledged to shareholders that the Bank would remain steadfast with the new economic reforms leveraging digital infrastructure and competent staff.

The bank's Board Chairman, Mekonen Manyazewal, has identified both threats and opportunities in the form of a new era for the bank in the evolving financial landscape.

The bank has faced challenges including high interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and trade fragmentation, as well as domestic and international conflicts affecting business activities.

Policy tightening by the Central Bank has slowed activities, but the bank is adapting to the changing economic landscape.

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A contemporary city skyline featuring tall buildings and a prominent bank at dusk.
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Bank of Abyssinia offers a range of services to cater to diverse customer needs.

Their digital services include online banking, mobile banking, and virtual banking, giving customers multiple ways to manage their finances.

Some of the account types offered by the bank include Savings, Current, and Fixed Time Account, as well as Savings, current, and fixed deposit accounts.

Loan options include corporate and commercial credit products, consumer and mortgage products, and term loans, as well as personal, business, and mortgage loans.

The bank also provides specialized accounts such as Adey Women’s Account and ECX Related Accounts, catering to specific customer needs.

Here's a summary of the bank's services:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the money of Abyssinia?

The money of Abyssinia is the Abyssinian birr, which was used before 1931. It was later replaced by the Ethiopian birr, but the currency itself remained the same.

What are the products of Bank of Abyssinia?

Bank of Abyssinia offers a range of banking products including savings and current accounts, fixed time deposits, loans, and foreign currency transactions. Explore our services to find the perfect fit for your financial needs.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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