- inaugurates Tutuka branch
Odotobri Rural Bank PLC – with its head office at Jacobu in the Amansie Central district of Ashanti Region, has inaugurated its Tutuka branch at Obuasi and commenced business.
The Tutuka branch’s official opening brings to fourteen the number of branches currently being operated by the bank.
The branches are: Obuasi Main, Asawasi, Krofrom, Agric Nzema, Bekwai and Maakro; and the others are Jacobu, Roman Hill, Old Tafo, Ayigya, Bantama, Abuakwa, Santasi and the newly-inaugurated Tutuka branch.
The new branch office is strategically located at the heart of the popular Tutuka high street in the Obuasi municipality, and is aiming to serve small businesses at the enclave which are made up of commercial drivers, chop-bar operators, auto mechanics, car dealers, spare-parts dealers and itinerant petty-traders among others.
Chairman of the board of Directors, Dr Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu, in an interview recounted what necessitated the siting of another branch in Obuasi.
According to him, Obuasi is a big city with a considerable population size as well as quite a sizeable number of private businesses; which why the Obuasi Main branch alone could not serve all the bank’s customers.
He also emphasised that customers and prospective ones must open up to doing business with the bank, because the board is committed to formulating human-centred policies, and has the best interests of all major stakeholders at heart – with good management as well as committed staff.
The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Abraham Coffie, in an address said entering into a typically petty-trading enclave like Tutuka means they have come to do what the bank is very well noted for. He said Odotobri Rural Bank has succeeded in nurturing small businesses to become more viable, and helped those businesses to make very significant impact.
He further mentioned that the bank has given credit support to petty-traders and small business owners, and educated them to ensure the products are utilised appropriately, so customers can realise their anticipated profit and pay back the loans.
“We have the expertise in managing small businesses and petty-trading, and that has been our primary focus as a rural bank. Opening a second branch at Obuasi means we have come to the people who really need our support, and we are poised to make a very significant impact here in Obuasi”, he stressed.
Mr. Coffie further stressed that customers should continue having confidence in the bank, because it has a very solid financial backbone and has even exceeded the regulator’s minimum share capital by 200%.
The Ashanti Regional Manager of ARB Apex Bank, Kofi Owusu – who spoke on behalf of Managing Director Alex Kwasi Awuah, applauded the board and management’s efforts leading to the bank’s impressive operational performance over the years.
Mr. Owusu mentioned that rural banking has evolved into an enviable institution that has given financial hope to many people in rural and urban communities. This, according to him, has come about due to the hard work of rural and community banks – of which Odotobri Rural Bank is an elite member.
He advised the board and management that to continue on the march to progressively satisfy their customers and realise their objectives, there is a need to pay extra attention to staff-training, compliance and customer care.
He further advised staff at the newly-inaugurated Tutuka branch to show tenacity of purpose and discipline, and also remember at all times that banking is done in a dignified environment, and the needful is always done to ensure the security of customers and staff is adequate at all times.
