![[South Africa] FNB unveils new Easy account with medical, legal and financial advice for consumers](Images/2018/05/FNB Bank.jpg)
[South Africa] FNB unveils new Easy account with medical, legal and financial advice for consumers
FNB has launched its new Easy Smart Option bank account making it the first bank to combine medical, financial and legal advice as additional value to consumers who earn between R1 000 to R7 000 per month.
Dr Christoph Nieuwoudt, FNB Consumer Chief Executive said "The introduction of our new Easy Smart Option expands our range of cost-effective and helpful solutions for consumers who earn below R7 000 per month. Our comprehensive range includes eWallet send money capability, eWallet eXtra which has no monthly fee to help irregular income earners as well as the pay-as-you-use Easy account for consumers with minimal transactional requirements."
"Consumers are looking for help to stretch their limited household budgets and we are responding adequately to their plight. Traditional bank accounts do not always service the range of needs of consumers who earn below and slightly above South Africa's minimum wage. We believe that the combination of a suitable bank account, free and helpful value-added benefits will go a long way to helping consumers with money management," said Dr Nieuwoudt.
The new FNB Easy Smart Option helps consumers with 24-hour telephonic professional medical advice from a team of registered nurses who will assist accountholders to manage chronic, life-threatening, maternity and other everyday medical conditions. This account also offers consumers help with basic financial planning, debt management, garnishee support, and debt counselling from qualified financial advisors. The value adds include telephonic assistance by professional attorneys and paralegals to advise consumers on wills, pension, third-party claims and labour matters from Monday to Friday during work hours.
Furthermore, accountholders will get a range of free benefits including R3,000 of both deposits and withdrawals at FNB ATMs, R15 worth of airtime every month, free card swipes, a free savings account, 10 free online purchase transactions and free balance enquiries on FNB's electronic channels such as the FNB App, Online and Cellphone Banking.
"Consumers expect meaningful benefits from their banking relationship and this bank account caters for transactional needs at a reasonable price while offering much needed support to households which are surviving on limited income. As a trusted money manager, we believe that financial coaching is critical for every household, regardless of income size. Similarly, healthcare is a basic right in South Africa, however the costs of accessing basic medical advice requires transportation and sometimes time off work as people wait a full day due to high demand. This is why it is critical to help customers close this important gap," said Pieter Woodhatch, CEO of FNB Easy Sub-segment.
Holders of the FNB Easy Smart Option will only pay a monthly account fee of R65. The medical, legal and financial advice can be accessed on 0800 611 269, a toll-free number, or customers can use any cellphone to dial *134*905# to request a call back.
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