Bonzali Rural Bank PLC – oldest rural bank in the Northern Region – has opened a branch at Wulensi in the Nanumba South district as part of its mission to bring banking and micro-lending to the doorsteps of its customers.
It is also to deepen financial intermediation, thereby facilitating financial inclusion in the district – which will variably boost economic growth in the local economy.
This increases the number of of Bonzali Rural Bank branches across the region: two in Tamale and Yendi, and one at Lamashegu, Nyankpala, Sang, Karaga and Cherepnoi, respectively – with the headquarters at Kumbungu, which forms part of the business strategy of bringing customer-centric products and services to residents of Wulensi and its surrounding communities.
Since its inception, the bank has been supporting over 2,000 smallholder farmers and 1,000 small and medium enterprises in their respective operational areas.
It is also rated 49th-best among 146 rural banks in Ghana, according to the ARB Apex Bank PLC efficiency and monitoring unit report for the third quarter of 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, District Chief Executive for Nanumba South District, Issifu Zakaria, commended the bank’s establishment in the area, saying: “It will ease the stress traders, farmers and residents go through in transacting financial business”.
He assured of the Assembly’s readiness to work with management and also ensure the District Assembly common fund is channelled through the bank.
Managing Director-ARB Apex Bank, Mr. Alex Kwasi Awuah – represented by the acting regional manager Mr. Isaac Osei, commended the bank for continued expansion of its reach to rural areas of the country.
“As a bank, you need to work together as a team with a united purpose to serve the changing needs of contemporary customers,” he said.
He urged the bank to make customer satisfaction its hallmark to ensure that all customers are satisfied at all times, because the bank’s success will be achieved and sustained through effective customer service.
The bank’s board chairman, Alhaji Abdul Hanan Iddrisu, said it is poised to continue designing various financial products that address the business needs of its clients to promote rural development.
Since its establishment 34 years ago, the bank has made great strides in the areas of funding local opportunities and businesses, and bringing banking services to rural communities among others.
The new office is positioned to satisfy exceptional customer expectations through professional staff, delivery channels and physical ambience, he said.
He therefore appealed for everyone to see the bank as their own, and patronise it by buying shares and operating very viable accounts to help consolidate its financial position and enable it to extend services to other parts of the region.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Augustine Ngmentomo Beakana, said the bundle of products and services has been tailored and customised to the specific needs of its customers.
The bank currently operates deposit products, loan products, and e-banking services at competitive pricing, he said.
See the bank as your partner in progress, and we would partner with you to progress in your undertakings, he added.
