Banks pull out all stops to get customers on board

PETALING JAYA: With only 47% of new PIN-enabled debit cards being picked by cardholders as at October, commercial banks in Malaysia have upped the ante over the past few months to encourage existing debit cardholders to replace their cards.

From delivery at no cost to customers, extended operating hours and self service facilities, much has been done to push the new debit cards to the customers. Other channels include ATM screen messages, statement inserts, SMS, email, internet banking and advertisements via various channels.

According to information available on Maybank’s website, cardholders can opt for the new debit cards to be delivered to them free within 21 working days via its online banking portal maybank2u.com.my.

Maybank also provides the Debit Kiosk, a self-service kiosk for customers to replace their debit card with the new PIN-enhanced MyDebit Card at 30 locations nationwide, operational from 8am to 10pm daily. Customers are required to have their MyKad and the existing debit card. The replacement is free.

Nor Azmi Md Yusof, CIMB Bank’s head of consumer sales and distribution said all of its branches would be open from 10am to 4pm today.

He urged cardholders to take the opportunity of the extended operating hours to replace their cards and to stay tuned for any updates on website or social media platforms.

“From Dec 8 until today (yesterday), we have also extended our closing time from 5.30pm to 7pm at our branches in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang branches.

“CIMB Bank will not impose any charges for the replacements. Customers who use their debit cards for shopping and purchases are strongly encouraged to switch to the new cards with ‘MyDebit’ logo immediately to avoid usage interruptions,” Nor Azmi said.

The Association of Banks in Malaysia said banks have given adequate notice to clients to replace their cards with issuers of the PIN-enabled debit cards beginning notification and distribution as early as mid-2015 with most issuers active by the first half of 2016.

“The challenge lies with the fact that debit cardholders will be contacted by the issuers to visit the nearest branch to collect their new PIN-enabled card, which will then be activated with PIN on the spot,” it said.

Activation must be done before the end of 2016 as the old debit cards may not be used after a certain period thereafter.

For the list of participating bank branches for extended hours, log on to www.abm.org.my or the individual banks’ own websites.