Exposure to and usage of e-banking channels: Implications for bank customers’ awareness and attitude to e-banking in Nigeria

PurposeEmphasis of previous research on e-banking has been on factors that influence its adoption or constraints to the adoption or the extent to which customer awareness influences its adoption. This study investigated “Exposure to/usage of e-banking channels: Implications for customer awareness and attitude in Nigeria”. The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which consumers’ exposure to and usage of e-banking channels influence their awareness and attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the quantitative research design; specifically, the conclusive research design was used and data collection was done through the survey method. The population of the study consisted of the customers of EcoBank, First bank and Zenith bank in Edo, Kogi and Kwara states of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit the desired data from 480 respondents selected from 30 branches of 3 banks in two states. One sample t test was used to test for significance of the usage of e-banking channels to customers’ awareness and attitude towards e-banking. Subsequently, regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive power of the e-banking channels.FindingsCustomers’ exposure to and usage of ATM, internet banking and mobile banking has significant influence on consumers’ attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria. In view of the findings, a modified model of customer usage and attitude towards e-banking in Nigeria is proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe customer’s inability to exercise absolute right on the banking option to use at all times and the non-inclusion of other channels of e-banking whose usage can influence consumers’ awareness and attitude towards e-banking.Practical implicationsThe need for financial institutions, especially banks, to expose their customers to e-banking channels to demystify their fears as well as increase their awareness and thus influence their attitude to e-banking.Social implicationsExposure of bank customers to e-banking will reduce cash transactions and thus help to significantly reduce social vices associated with physical cash, especially armed robbery.Originality/valueThe work is a departure from previous studies because it is the only one that has emphazised exposure to e-banking as a solution to awareness creation and positive attitude of customers. Its value lies in its potential to make e-banking user friendly in no distance time.