As part of the bank's strategy to expand and modernize its Consumer Banking offering, Merchant Bank has launched its Direct Sales model. The Direct Sales model will involve a mobile 3rd Party Sales team attached to branches with an objective to provide room service account opening to the bank's customers and thus take the full 'range 'of its product offerings and services to the doorstep of existing and potential customers. According to Mr. Henry Baye, Head of Consumer Banking of Merchant Bank, the new introduction is going to be an important part of the bank's drive to mobilize less expensive deposits. He said, Merchant Bank has chosen to partner MONTRAN Limited, a third party outsource agency at the onset in order to deliver the model. Sixty-two Direct Sales Executives (DSEs) have been deployed across the bank's network , with 22 Merchant Bank -branded cars to facilitate this exercise. Mr. Baye said the bank's objective among others is to increase the presence of their sales force on the market. It is also aimed at reaching a much broader base of customers and thus create additional sales opportunities. In addition it is also to provide quick identification and response to opportunities from customers or prospects while improving the overall customer service experience. Source: B&FT