Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar launches artificial intelligence based banking chatbot- EBL DIA at a city hotel recently. Photo: EBL

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL) has launched country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) based banking chatbot aiming to provide faster services to its clients.

The chatbot titled ‘EBL DIA’ (EBL Digital Interactive Agent) – where anyone can interact with EBL through chatting with an AI (Artificial Intelligence) based Chat Robot on social media platform.

A computer programme that conducts a conversation via auditory or textual methods, chatbots are increasingly becoming popular in developed countries for customer services or as the first point of contact with companies.

While some chatbots use sophisticated natural language processing system, many simpler systems scan for keywords within the input and then pull out a reply with the most matching keywords, or the most similar wording pattern, from a database.

“It is as simple as chatting with a person but in this context user will be responded by interactive software,” the EBL said in an announcement.

The banking Chatbot, first of its kind in Bangladesh, will help the users to get information regarding accounts, credit card and prepaid cards along with general service information through Facebook Messenger, one of the most popular social media platforms in the country.

Managing Director and CEO of EBL, Ali Reza Iftekhar launched the chatbot at a ceremony held at a city hotel recently.

He also said: “Eastern Bank Ltd. takes the pride to be the first bank in Bangladesh to introduce artificial intelligence based service for its customers. We are sure this will help them manage their time and banking efficiently. EBL always strives to innovate and will continue to do so by bringing in exciting products and services to the market to make everyone’s banking transaction.”

DIA is now available on Facebook Messenger (fb.com/ebldia). Viber and Twitter versions will be available shortly, the EBL added.

Based on customer experience and feedback EBL will constantly keep on updating the chatbot by adding new features.

This is another major leap towards EBL’s attempt to digitalize its banking services, ensuring service excellence and customer delight.

EBL Head of Consumer Banking Nazeem A. Choudhury, Head of Business Khorshed Anowar and Acting Head of Digital Banking Tasnim Hussain were present at the launching programme.

BBN/SSR/AD