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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-ZW link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=1023 valign=top style='width:511.55pt;border:solid white 1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><img width=526 height=122 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D6D3A8.C13E7270"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=Default align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Press Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>FBC Bank Enables Mobile Merchant and Bill Payments for Everyone<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><img width=1001 height=668 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D6D3A8.C13E7270"></span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Roy Nyakunuwa (Acting Head- FBC Group Marketing)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>FBC Bank has enabled a mobile merchant and bill payment solution that allows anyone with a bank account to enjoy the convenience of making payments using digital channels such as USSD Codes, Mobile Banking Applications and WhatsApp Banking on the ZIPIT Smart platform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In simple terms, the new solution allows anyone with a bank account to make payments at churches (tithes), small to medium enterprises, vendors, tuck shops, barber shops, saloons, flea markets, among other merchants using a mobile device without the need to carry a physical ATM Card. Individual FBC Account and non-account holders are not required to register, as merchant and bill payment services are available on mobile banking platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black'>Commenting on the new development, Roy Nyakunuwa (Acting Head-FBC Group Marketing) said mobile merchant and bill payments will play a significant role in mitigating the spread of coronavirus in Zimbabwe. “In the wake of the highly contagious coronavirus, handling banknotes, touching surfaces and not maintaining social distance amongst other factors increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Consequently, as a customer-obsessed and health conscious institution, we have seen it fit to offer a mobile payment platform as part of our digital transformation thrust and our quest to keep pace with global and local standards in the financial services sector”, he said.</span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“The FBC ZIPIT Smart Mobile payment solution allows any bank account holder to execute seamless and swift transactions whilst maintaining social distancing, as the client will simply pay for goods or services without the need for touching keypads/touchpads of a POS machine and passing an ATM Card to the cashier for swiping. This will go a long way towards protecting the transacting public and cashiers from the risk of Covid-19 infection because they <b>Matter Most</b>,” added Mr Nyakunuwa <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Clients can enjoy the convenience of making payments using their mobile devices by following the simple procedures outlined below: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>How to Make Merchant and Bill Payments: FBC Non-Individuals Who Do Not Bank with FBC Bank or Building Society <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1-Enter your Mobile Banking USSD code <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2- Enter 4 digit PIN to access banking menu <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3- Select ZIPIT Smart option; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4- Select option 1 pay merchant; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 5- Enter the Smart Merchant Code displayed by cashier; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 6- Enter the transaction amount; <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 7- Accept confirmation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Simple Steps to Make Payments- FBC Account Holders<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1- Dial *220# USSD code <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2- Select banking services <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3- Enter 4 digital pin <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4- Select Merchant payment option 6 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 5- Select option 1 which is Zipit smart <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 6- Select card or account <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 7- Enter merchant code <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 8- Enter amount <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 9- Press 1 confirm <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Pop up message showing the amount, merchant name, merchant code and reference number. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>• Press 1 to return to main menu or any other key to exit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With the new service, individual account holders will enjoy the benefits of using mobile phone initiated merchant payments through a merchant code which is matched to a merchant’s bank account instantly; making payments without using physical ATM Cards and reducing the costs of making payments without moving funds to mobile wallets. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Any business enterprise: Small to Medium or Corporates with an active FBC Bank account automatically qualify for receiving mobile payments through ZIPIT Smart. SME or Corporate accounts who are interested in signing up for ZIPIT Smart Merchant payments must visit the nearest FBC Bank or Building Society branch to register to become a ZIPIT Smart Merchant.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>FBC ZIPIT Smart Merchants such as churches, small to medium enterprises, vendors, tuck shops, barber shops, saloons, flea markets, among others also benefit from receiving instant value; associating their merchant ID to an instant card (possibly) which has less stringent KYC requirements; Increased business; improved customer loyalty and retention and receiving daily, weekly or monthly breakdowns detailing number of transactions and transaction amounts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>FBC Bank continues to make waves in the market with new, innovative and digitalised products which allow clients to transact without the need for physical interaction, thereby assisting in curbing the spread of the corona virus. The bank is strategically poised to deliver seamless services through state-of-the-art digital channels which deliver 24/7 convenience to its clients. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Issued on 15 December 2020 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Roy Nyakunuwa- Acting Head of FBC Group Marketing <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Group Marketing Division <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>FBC Centre, 45 Nelson Mandela Avenue <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Harare, Zimbabwe <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phone : +263 242 707057/704608/783206 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Cell : +263 731 306 861 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Email : <a href="mailto:public.relations@fbc.co.zw">public.relations@fbc.co.zw</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Georgia",serif'>Website : <a href="http://www.fbc.co.zw">www.fbc.co.zw</a></span><span style='font-family:"Georgia",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>