Pay-Day just moved closer

Pay-Day is no longer end of the month. It is any day you choose. United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has just delivered to workers the power to determine what day is Pay-Day.

No longer do monthly paid workers have to wait till that time between 24^th and 30 th or 31 st day of the month to be paid.  With UBA’s new U-Advance card, the pressure of waiting to be paid so that emergency expenses can be taken care of has been removed.

The “U-Advance Card,” is a payment card that allows workers who operate a salary account with UBA to get a credit advance ahead of pay-day.

John, a staff of a consulting firm based in Lagos admits that U-Advance Card is one of the best products to have come out of any financial institution.

 “I ran into a recent difficult but temporary financial situation recently. I needed to register my child in school and I had the opportunity to get a 50% discount if I registered him before 15 th of the month. I was cash strapped and could not get anyone who was not cash strapped enough to lend me some money. If I had a U-Advance Card, I am sure I could have easily paid and taken the discount. Sadly, I eventually paid the full amount without the discount when I was paid at the end of the month”

Temporary financially difficult situations as described by John above is what U-Advance card is set to resolve, explains Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji, Divisional Head, e-Banking, UBA Plc.

“The U-Advance Card is an internationally accepted card payment solution designed to address the salary account holders’ need for easy and quick access to extra funds before pay-day.  It is a form of a revolving, secured credit facility” explains Dr Adedeji,

“The advantage of the U-Advance credit card is that it simplifies the credit process. So, it is not every time you have a temporary liquidity challenge that you fill out a form and go through the strenuous process of applying for a loan. Once you have a U-Advance Card, you can always meet any temporary cash crunch by just approaching the ATM. The card becomes your permanent access to credit anytime you need it.” He explained.

UBA explains that  the U-Advance Card  complements UBA’s existing suite of retail credit products in the form of a Naira based, short term, secured financing targeted at salary account holders and will provide frictionless access to much needed credit with the cardholder’s monthly salary as security.

It is however available only to salary account holders with UBA Plc, but non-UBA customers can pre-qualify by opening a salary account with UBA. It is Ideal for staff of reputable organizations, affluent and high networth individuals (HNIs) who receive regular monthly salary; individuals wishing to obtain the U-Advance credit card can approach the nearest UBA business office for details on eligibility and how to apply.

 It is also interesting to know that the U-Advance card is accepted locally and internationally.  U-advance cardholders can make cash withdrawals at over 1.9 million ATMs worldwide and POS or web purchases at more than 30 million retail outlets around the world.

For safety, the U-advance card comes with the EMV certified chip and PIN technology plus the 3D Secure feature for enhanced protection during web transactions.

“The U-Advance Credit card has been introduced in line with UBA’s strategy of growing its retail business across Africa and strengthens its position as Africa’s financial solution power house. Access to this credit card is relatively easy as the main requirement is a valid salary account which has been operated for a period of no less than three months for existing customers and six months for new customers.” Dr Adedeji explained.

UBA, with more than seven million retail customers, is a major issuer of payment cards in the country. The bank issues MasterCard, Visa and Verve cards. UBA also pioneered the issue of Prepaid Cards in the country, which can be used without a bank account.

Cards are a key part of the UBA e-banking strategy hence the bank’s strategic partnerships with credible local and international retailers to ensure that all customers enjoy the advantages and convenience which come with the use of its payment cards. 

UBA Debit and Prepaid Cards as well as the newly introduced U-Advance Credit Card are accepted across the 18 African countries the Bank operates in addition to over 30 million merchants locations around the world. An ideal travel companion during the holidays, UBA cards offer convenience and a safer alternative to cash.

The UBA Group is a highly diversified financial services provider, with business offices in New York, Paris and a subsidiary in London. A leading player on the African continent, UBA has significant market share and operations in 19 different African countries. The Group has a strong retail franchise across the continent offering its more than seven million customers a bouquet of products and services tailored to meet their different financial needs