News

Lets talk about SMART lending with Zimnat Microfinance

The Zimbabwean financial services landscape is experiencing some turbulence which as further exacerbated the need for client protection when it comes to microfinance.

The current inflationary pressures being experienced in the economy coupled with an increase in the number of players in the microfinance industry leaves borrowers in a rather vulnerable position.

According to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Statement for 2019, there are 205 microfinance institutions in operation.

With so many microfinance institutions and the rapid digitalisation of business processes, as well as a surge in the number of bogus loan sharks, it is easy in such a dynamic environment to be taken advantage of and caught up in a debt trap.

It is in these uncertain times that client protection becomes imperative to ensure a high level of ethics and integrity in the microfinance industry.

Armed with the Microfinance Act, regulators and service providers, like Zimnat microfinance have made a decent endeavour to place client protection at the forefront of the service delivery standards expected of registered microfinance institutions.

Microfinance institutions epitomize responsible financial inclusion, as such integrity and transparency are significant factors that any borrower should expect in all transactions with a lending institution.

Responsible microfinance institutions draw guidance on customer protection from the Microfinance Act as well as the 7 principles of client protection, which include but not limited to the prevention of over-indebtedness.

Responsible microfinanciers take all the necessary measures to ensure that a borrower still has the capacity to repay a loan without becoming over-indebted.

With the current fluid economic conditions, the propensity amongst individuals to borrow increases, as people try to subsidise their strained incomes. Many end up overburdened with debt. This is a very uncomfortable position to be in.

Although potential borrowers consciously apply for a loan in the full knowledge of their existing obligations, it is incumbent upon the lender to protect the client by ensuring that the borrower is not already suffering from too much debt.

With the help of the Reserve Bank, a Central Credit Registry has been established where all credit obligations to financial institutions are recorded.

This is one of a raft of measures put in place to ensure that financial institutions and would-be borrowers alike are not exploited.

It allows any credit institution to cross-reference information about a borrower to verify his or her credit status and help assess the client’s borrowing capacity.

Zimnat as an organisation driven to make life better, has made deliberate efforts to guarantee client protection by embedding principles of smart lending and client protection in its service delivery channels, systems and processes.

Through the use of data analytics and customer success management Zimnat microfinance has been able to complement existing measures to help customers get the funding they need without falling into the debt trap.

Furthermore, keeping in line with the Microfinance Act as well as the client protection principles Zimnat Microfinance displays all the terms and conditions for its products at its premises to ensure borrowers have all the material facts for them to make a decision that does not lead to over-indebtedness.

In addition, strict data protection measures have also been put in place to ensure that customer information is being used only for the purposes for which it was requested.

With Zimnat, you can rest assured that you will be served by professionally trained staff offering high quality and affordable products and services to meet your financial needs.

With branches and resident agents scattered across the whole of Zimbabwe, Zimnat microfinance strives to ensure efficient and excellent customer service to meet your needs and make your life better.

Zimnat Microfinance has been in existence since 2012. It boasts of a solid financial background being, as it is, part of the Zimnat family.

Contact us today on our toll free number 08080063/4/6

Alternatively you can send us an email on customercare@zimnat.co.zw

Visit our social media,

https://www.facebook.com/Zimnat/

https://twitter.com/zimnatofficial

https://zw.linkedin.com/company/zimnat.

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by zimnadmin

Zimnat promoting work health balance

By Pamela Mukuze

When we think about our offices or workplaces, fitness and work-health balance is not the first thing that comes to mind. Many of us spend our days sitting at our desks looking at computer screens.

We may even have lunch at our desks. Encouraging fitness in the workplace can be extremely beneficial to both the organisation and staff.

The endorphins released during those few minutes of exercise can help boost the self-confidence and energy. It can also bring more positive attitudes amongst your staff making them less stressed.

A motivated and happy staff is a golden goose for exceptional business performance. Encouraging physical and mental exercise increases productivity in the workplace by boosting mental alertness and reducing staff errors.

Exercising also increases the blood flow to your brain, which helps sharpen your awareness and makes you better prepared to tackle your next big project.

An organisation has fit employees, it is likely there will be less downtime, as the number of staff members calling in sick is significantly reduced. There are many ways for employers to encourage their staff to keep fit, regardless of a company’s size.

Zimnat makes life better for its staff by providing a platform for them to wind down and enjoy some bit of exercise.

This is made possible by the provision of onsite sporting facilities for table tennis and pool where staff can come in and have a crack at some games whilst on lunch or after a long day’s work.

Showing employees that you care about their fitness levels is a great way to boost morale. It demonstrates to team members and colleagues that their health and wellbeing is important to the company they work for.

Below are a few benefits of exercise:

• It pumps up your endorphins, relieving stress and increasing energy levels.

• It improves your mood, making you happier.

• It is good for your muscles and bones.

• It can help with skin health.

Contact us today on our toll-free number 08080063/4/6. Alternatively, you can send us an email on customercare@zimnat.co.zw.

You can also visit our social media, https://www.facebook.com/Zimnat/, https://twitter.com/zimnatofficial or https://zw.linkedin.com/company/zimnat

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by zimnadmin

Zimnat helps Providence Pangira fulfil his dream

Zimnat recently lived out its purpose of making life better by setting Providence Pangira on a path of realising his lifelong dream of one day becoming a doctor. Providence who achieved brilliant results at Ordinary and Advanced Level despite his deprived background lacked the funds to go to university and was in August awarded a scholarship by Zimnat.

Prior to this Providence’s life had been one of strife. He enrolled for Form One at Dangamvura High School in Mutare, his family was living in a single rented room in Mutare’s Chikanga suburb and there was no regular family income. Providence therefore took odd jobs to raise the money for his schooling.

Despite having to work as well as study in far from ideal conditions, Providence achieved seven As and four Bs at Ordinary Level. At Advanced Level he obtained an A in Biology and Bs in Pure Mathematics and Chemistry.

However, with no money to proceed to university it looked as if his ambition of becoming a doctor was unattainable. He ended up taking up a full-time gardening job in Harare. The young man’s plight was highlighted earlier in the year on social media and in a weekly publication.

Commenting on the scholarship award Zimnat Group Chief executive officer Mustafa Sachak said “As Zimnat our commitment is to making life better for everyone and we hope that those we can assist will be able to realise their full potential. We were impressed by the sheer resilience that Providence demonstrated and thought we should play our part in helping make his dreams come true.

The scholarship offered to Providence includes a commitment from us to paying his university fees and a stipend, as well as the provision of a refurbished laptop to help him with his studies.

Another well-wisher who was also moved by Providence’s story, paid for his initial tuition fees. As Zimnat we will, therefore, cover all other expenses for his first semester, including his accommodation and an allowance, as well as providing him with the laptop. We will pay the tuition fees for future semesters”, said Mr Sachak.

Zimnat, which is a diversified financial group associated with the Sanlam Group, the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa, has managed to continue to remain true to its declared purpose of making life better for others, despite the tough economic conditions, which has made survival the primary focus of most businesses.

As a community driven organisation, Zimnat has assisted several institutions over the past few months, including schools in Chimanimani affected by Cyclone Idai. The business also recently handed over an ablution block for girls at Chizungu Primary School in Epworth to replace the pit toilets that they were previously using.

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by zimnadmin

Zimnat Family Funeral Plan explained

By Talent Doroba

From the dawn of time men have strived to come up with solutions to life’s challenges that make life better and advance generational development.

One of the many ways in which our forefathers safeguarded generational growth was by adopting risk mitigating measures that ensured that the shocks of life were easily absorbed without being too detrimental to the victims.

Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter in 1749 that nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes and the former is a great source of anxiety and risk.

Zimnat Life Assurance ,a part of the Zimnat Group whose purpose is to make life better, offers the Zimnat Family Funeral Plan, which is a tried and tested diverse funeral cash plan designed to provide financial relief in one’s time of need.

As highlighted by its name, this is a family funeral policy that can cover every member of the family. With Zimnat Family Funeral Plan we will cover both your nuclear and extended family. Nuclear family cover will include you as the principal member, your spouse, children and parents, while the extended family member cover will include family members that do not qualify as part of the nuclear family who you may want to be covered.

It is hard to save in these difficult times. Taking out a Zimnat Family Funeral Plan insulates your family from high funeral costs. As highlighted by Benjamin Franklin, we cannot run away from death. However we can prepare for it in a manner that safeguards the financial well-being of our loved ones when it finally arrives.

While a funeral service policy will ensure we have a decent burial, it is imperative that we also think about the lives of our loved ones after the funeral. That is why it is crucial to have a funeral cash plan.

A funeral cash plan policy guarantees a cash pay-out to your registered beneficiaries in the event of the passing away of one of the registered policy members.

The Zimnat Family Funeral Plan does not limit financial assistance to funeral expenses alone. There are three categories of financial need that the plan provides for.

The first category is pre-death expenses, that is expenses incurred while still alive.  The Zimnat Family Funeral Plan offers access to loans through Zimnat Financial Services. These include   business loans, housing loans, salary-based loans and asset financing that are accessible to all instantaneously.

No one chooses when and how they become vulnerable to ailments. Some ailments last only a few hours, while others might confine you to hospital for months. The Family Funeral Plan has a hospital cash benefit of $50 per day up to the day of discharge, with the minimum hours of admission to qualify for this being 48 hours. Should the hospitalised patient die, the daily cash benefit will be paid to his or her beneficiaries.

The Zimnat Family Funeral Plan also rewards the policy holder with a No Claims Bonus, if his/her policy runs for five years without a death benefit being claimed. The bonus amounts to 20 percent of the five years’ total premium contributions.

The second category is expenses during the funeral. This is when a person covered by the funeral plan has passed on. It is the main risk which all the benefits are pinned on.

The policy has funeral cover starting from $500 up to $10 000, depending on the premium paid. The lowest premium is 20 cents per day.

This benefit is only realised when a person covered by the policy passes on. It is intended to assist with funeral arrangement expenses not covered by a funeral service policy.

The third category is the post burial period, the dry period with regards to declining income streams due to the breadwinner having passed on.

It generally takes three months for pension pay-outs to be made. This time of waiting can be a financial strain on the surviving family members. The Zimnat Family Funeral Plan ensures that this mourning period is less financially burdensome with its flexible sum assured, which offers the flexibility to either claim during the funeral or after it in order to meet post-burial expenses.

In addition to the post-burial financial pay out option, the Zimnat Family Funeral Plan also offers an optional add-on benefit of a vigil and tombstone cover of $3 000 paid out a year after the death.

Staying true to our promise of making life better, the Zimnat Family Funeral Plan allows the beneficiaries to carry on with the plan, with the first annual premium of the policy being paid for.

We understand that the death of a breadwinner has a profound psychological and financial impact on the well-being of the family. Zimnat is committed to playing its part in easing the financial pressures for the year.

Zimnat guarantees flexible premium payment terms. That means you can choose how often you want to pay the subscriptions. You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Zimnat is associated with Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial institution on the continent. The company offers businesses and individuals a variety of products including motor insurance, home insurance, life assurance, travel insurance, funeral cover, health and accident insurance, pension schemes, unit trusts and private wealth management.

Contact us today on our toll-free number 08080063/4/6

Alternatively, you can send us an email on customercare@zimnat.co.zw

by zimnadmin

Zimnat partners PROWEB to offer free cataract removal surgery

The promotion of health and emotional wellness is a cause that has defined Zimnat’s corporate social footprint as it continues to seek to make life better for the communities in which it operates.

Zimnat recently partnered with the Professional Women, Women Executives and Business Women’s Forum (PROWEB) to offer free eye cataract surgery to hundreds of people affected by the condition in Zimbabwe.

A team of doctors from Spain under the Elena Barraquer Foundation, working with local doctors, performed the operations at Chitungwiza Central Hospital from September 23 to 28.

The foundation is an offshoot of the Barraquer Opthalmology Centre, a top Spanish Eye Hospital in Barcelona which has for years undertaken similar eye projects in Africa.

More than 200 people from Harare, Mahusekwa, Marondera, Dema, Mount Darwin, Madziva and Shurugwi benefitted from the programme, undergoing successful cataract removal operations.

Supporting this programme, which assisted so many people affected by eye cataracts, is in line with Zimnat’s commitment to making life better.

Several of the beneficiaries of the programme could not hide their joy after the surgery and expressed their gratitude to Zimnat and the organisers for coming to their aid.

Most of the beneficiaries had been living with the condition for some time but had failed to raise the amount required for surgery.

This programme is one of a number that Zimnat has been involved in this year that have made an impact on people’s lives.

Some of the notable initiatives include donations to children living with disabilities, construction of an ablution block for girls at a primary school in Epworth and providing roofing for schools affected by Cyclone Idai.

The company is driven by a purpose to make life better. It is associated with the Sanlam Group, the largest non-banking financial institution on the continent.

The Zimnat group has four business units, namely Asset Management, Life Assurance, General Insurance and Microfinance.

Contact us today on our toll-free number 08080063/4/6. Alternatively you can send us an email on customercare@zimnat.co.zw or visit our website www.zimnat.co.zw or our social media sites, which are: https://www.facebook.com/Zimnat/, https://twitter.com/zimnatofficial and

https://zw.linkedin.com/company/zimnat.

by zimnadmin

Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan Communique

Zimnat would like to clear the air and give accurate information with respect to Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan (DFCP) policies. The background to this are the recent media reports surrounding alleged changes to the above existing policies.

The relationship between Zimnat and Destiny Financial Services T/A as DFCP

Since January 2012, Destiny Financial Services has been an appointed agent of Zimnat Life Assurance for the DFCP product with the primary mandate to promote, market and extend the sale of funeral cover plans to Zimbabweans in the diaspora through online channels for a commission. To this end and in line with insurance laws, Zimnat operated and continues to operate as the underwriter. An underwriter is a registered life office whose primary responsibilities are to assume the insured risk against payment of the applicable premium, issue policy documents, maintain the policy and settle claims from policy holders in line with the terms and conditions of the product. The relationship between the client and the underwriter begins the moment a policy application has been accepted and a policy document has been issued, subject to payment of premiums.

The Nature of the DFCP Product

DFCP is a long-term funeral cover where one pays premiums for twenty years (20) and is covered for the rest of their lives after the premium paying period. An important point is that premiums must be paid consistently to maintain cover. A lapse will occur where a policy holder fails to pay premiums for a consecutive period of three (3) months. If a policy lapses, unfortunately, all benefits under the policy are lost. The insurance industry is a highly regulated industry. The DFCP product is registered as is required by law with the Insurance and Pension Commission (IPEC) of Zimbabwe and the exchange control division of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). IPEC, the insurance regulator in Zimbabwe and RBZ, have approved the issuing of policies in foreign currency for Zimbabweans living in the diaspora. These policies shall be maintained and paid out in foreign currency.

The migration of policies to another insurer

The DFCP policy is a contract between the policy holder and the underwriter. Both the policy holder and underwriter have to agree to a migration of the policy to another underwriter or to any material change of the products or its terms and conditions. A third party, such as a marketing agent like Destiny Financial Services, has no power to migrate a policy to another underwriter or otherwise change the product or its terms. Zimnat has not moved or authorised the movement of policies or contract to any new provider or underwriter.

Security of funds against currency and country risk

Due to the prevailing macro-economic environment in Zimbabwe and upon the request of Zimnat, RBZ has granted authority to ring fence funds related to DFCP for investment offshore. This guarantees the ability of Zimnat as the underwriter to settle claims in the currency contracted. Further to this it is important to underscore the security of policy holder funds with Zimnat for the following reasons:

• Zimnat is a leading financial services brand in Zimbabwe
• Zimnat is in partnership with Sanlam, which is the largest non-banking financial services company on the African continent
• Zimnat has a Global Credit rating of A-
• Zimnat works with the best local and global reinsurers available
• Zimnat employs and has access to the best actuaries in the world

Zimnat responses to some specific allegations made through the media

1. “The currency volatility in Zimbabwe is very bad for long term investments like DFCP…… adoption of RTGS as the official currency wiping off people’s USD savings, investments and policies.”

Our Response

• IPEC and RBZ have given authority to ring fence funds related to DFCP for investment offshore with a view to guarantee the ability of Zimnat as the underwriter to settle claims in the currency and to the value contracted.
• The Government of Zimbabwe has been unequivocally supportive of diaspora related products. Circular 13 of 2019 from IPEC dealing with the authority to offer selected insurance policies in foreign currency, coming after the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (S.I) 142 Of 2019, gives provisions to this effect.
• As a policy, Zimnat engages internationally reputed Re-Insurers to carry any risk that Zimnat cannot carry, including but not limited to currency related risk. In simple terms, Zimnat has in place sufficient protections to guarantee the settlement of all DFCP claims in foreign currency.

2. “Policy holders lost money on Gadziriro (“USD” Funeral cover)”

Our Response

• Gadziriro (“USD” Funeral cover) is a local product. As promulgated by Circular 13 of 2019 from IPEC dealing with the    authority to offer selected insurance policies in foreign currency, coming after the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (S.I) 142 of 2019, existing foreign currency- denominated products (like Gadziriro) shall run to their natural expiry. Claims will be settled in the contracted currency.

3. “Zimnat Life operates 100% in Zimbabwe and invest in bond notes/ RTGS”

Our Response

• Zimnat is part of the Sanlam group, which is the largest non-banking financial services company on the continent, with a footprint across 33 countries and has over 90 operating businesses in Africa and Asia. Our investment portfolio is likewise diversified into different investment locations, investment types and investment currencies

4. “Zimnat Is Refusing to be dropped as an Underwriter”

Our Response

• It is not possible to drop an underwriter from an insurance policy or contract. The alleged dropping of Zimnat as an underwriter by Destiny Finance is a non-event.
• Zimnat cannot stop a non-exclusive agent like Destiny Finance from engaging an underwriter of their choice, particularly to sell new business. However, Zimnat as a responsible financial services provider with a fiduciary responsibility to policy holders, has an obligation to all/ existing clients to give them sound financial advice. Zimnat also has an obligation to support existing policy holders in their decision making with regards to their policy.
• In this instance, our existing policy holders stand to potentially lose in the event of lapsing their policy. It is not possible for Destiny Finance to transfer the Zimnat Life policy to another insurer. It is therefore incumbent upon the policy holder to satisfy themselves as to the terms and conditions of any prospective new policy on offer. Zimnat is available to provide clarity, support and any other services that might be required by its clients.

Zimnat’s commitment to our current and future clients

Zimnat will honour and pay all obligations as they fall due for policies that remain valid. Zimnat looks forward to maintaining policies for our existing policy holders. Should you require any clarity, kindly call us or WhatsApp us +263772175991 or reply to the email customercare@zimnat.co.zw.

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by zimnadmin

GCR upgrades Zimnat General Insurance rating to A+

Global Credit Rating (GCR) has revised Zimnat General Insurance’s national scale financial strength (insurance rating) rating to A+(zw) Stable Outlook, from its previous rating of A-(zw). The financial strength rating (formerly claims paying ability) went up two notches.

GCR is the leading emerging market focused ratings agency, rating the full spectrum of security classes based on the best international standards. It accords both International Scale and National Scale ratings. Together with its international affiliates, it rates almost 3 000 organisations and debt issues spanning four continents.

The rationale for Zimnat General Insurance’s new rating

Explaining the rationale for Zimnat General Insurance’s new rating, GCR said the insurance company’s national scale financial strength rating “reflects support from a sound business profile and a disciplined approach to underwriting and capital management”.

“Offsetting these strengths is liquidity moderation on the back of value preserving strategies, reflecting uncertainties presented by the operating environment.

“The insurer has maintained strong brand recognition and evidenced healthy growth momentum over the review period, with a significant increase in market share in the 2018 financial year, underpinned by comparatively high risk uptake in key lines of business,” GCR said.

Zimnat General Insurance chief executive officer Stanley Mazorodze said the rating should see clients enjoying enhanced security, innovative insurance products and continued timely claim payments.

“More operational flexibility comes with such a good rating, positioning the company to be a strong short-term insurer of choice.

“The company will boost its capacity to exercise its philosophy of providing the market with realistic insurance cover products that help clients achieve their set objectives and make their lives better,” he said.

‘To sustain this record A+ rating, Zimnat General Insurance will continue to be creative in developing practical risk solutions for the market and inventive in delivering products best suited to its clients’ needs. We have every intention of making the lives of all our stakeholders better,” he added.

Zimnat General Insurance is a part of the Zimnat group, a diversified financial services group made up of Zimnat General Insurance, Zimnat Life Assurance, Zimnat Microfinance and Zimnat Asset Management. Zimnat is a partner of Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial services group on the continent.

by zimnadmin

Zimnat Social Media Followers Win Trip To Cape Town Marathon

By Byron Adonis Mutingwende

Zimnat today announced the social media winners of an all-expenses-paid trip to Capetown to participate in the Sanlam Marathon on September 15 and briefed the winners, Tariro Makanga and Lilian Choruwa, on what to expect in Capetown. Tariro and Lilian both live in Harare. Tariro, who lives in Highlands, is a broadcast journalist with a private media company, while Lilian, who lives in Borrowdale Brooke, works for a legal firm as a conveyancer. The marathon, which is the only Gold status marathon on the African continent, every year attracts 23 international running clubs and more than 15 000 runners, including some world class athletes.

Zimnat decided to give two social media followers the experience of a lifetime by running a competition on its social media platforms for the all-expenses paid trip to Capetown to participate in the marathon. Entrants to the competition could either tag a Zimnat social media page with a video or picture of how they would get ready for a marathon with a partner or a friend or else tag Zimnat in a posted video of them sharing a story about someone who helped them on their life’s journey.

This was in line with the theme of the marathon, which is Life Is A Marathon, You can’t do it alone. The winning entry was the one with the most likes. The competition attracted an overwhelming number of submissions. A total of 55 000 people were reached, with 4 231 engagements, 914 likes and 612 comments in just one week. Tariro managed to secure the tickets for herself and Lilian with 327 likes. Zimnat is sending them both to Capetown so that they encourage and motivate each other as they take on the 10km race. Zimnat Group Marketing Executive Angela Mpala took the winners through what they had won and the activities awaiting them in Capetown, during a handover ceremony at Zimnat House in Harare today.

They are set to depart on September 14 on a direct flight to Capetown, where they will experience world-class service at the Radisson RED, the 4,5 Star hotel where they will reside and dine for the duration of their stay.The pair will run the marathon the following day, after which they will be taken on a sightseeing tour of Capetown. They will travel back to Zimbabwe the next day, September 16. They could hardly contain their excitement at the handover ceremony.

“We are excited. We have been running marathons for years and are glad it has reaped rewards. This win coincides with Lilian’s birthday, which makes it an especially welcome celebration. We are proud to be associated with Zimnat,” Tariro said. Zimnat is also sending to Capetown two staff members, who won the trip in a separate promotion for staff.

Zimnat Group CEO Mustafa Sachak said he was pleased with the huge response to the promotion. “With this promotion we have managed to cover our most important stakeholders, who are our clients and our staff. In line with our purpose of making life better, we always want to promote health and wellness. We are pleased with the overwhelming response we have received,” he said.

Ms Mpala said those who wanted to stay updated on the winners’ journey and share their travels, experiences and stay in Cape Town could do so by visiting Zimnat’s social media pages. Zimnat is associated with Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial institution on the continent. It offers businesses and individuals a variety of products, including motor insurance, home insurance, life assurance, travel insurance, funeral cover, health and accident insurance, pension schemes, unit trusts and private wealth management.

by zimnadmin