By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi
The Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC at Wasa Akropong in the Wasa Amenfi East District in the Western Region has inaugurated its branch in Adum, the heart of business and trade, at the central business district of Kumasi.
This adds to the already existing three branches since its penetration into the Ashanti Region in 2016.
This official opening of the Adum Branch brings to nineteen the number of branches currently being operated by the bank.
The branches are Wasa Akropong, Sefwi Bekwai, Samraboi, Prestea, Dunkwa, Manso Amenfi, Asankragua High Street and Sefwi Bekwai. The rest are Santase, Suame, Tarkwa Main, Enchi, Bawdie, Tarkwa Tamso, Asankragwa, Wassa Akropong High and the newly inaugurated Adum branch in Kumasi.
The branch, located at the famous point of business, hopes to serve prospective customers and existing ones with their tailor-made services and products, including top-notch customer service.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alexander Asmah, the penetration of Amenfiman Rural Bank into the Ashanti Region was due to the persistent demand from their customers who plied their trade or business activities in the Ashanti Region.
As they indicated, they were usually attacked by armed robbers en route from the Western Region to the Ashanti Region and vice versa.
In 2012, the first branch, located in Santasi – which started making profits within one year – was birthed; then it followed with the Abrepo and Suame Branches, and now the latest addition at Adum which makes it the fourth branch in the Ashanti Region.
In an interview with journalists after a successful branch opening, Mr. Asmah said the move to Adum is a strategic one to be closer to their customers.
Dr Alex Asmah, in a brief remark at the branch inauguration, indicated that the opening is to bring their services closer to their clients and also expand the bank’s network.
The CEO stressed that entering into a typically petty trading enclave like Adum PZ area means they have come to do what the bank is very well-noted for. He said Amenfiman Rural Bank has succeeded in nurturing many small businesses to become more viable and helped those businesses to make very significant impact.
“Coming to a business area has always been a strategic point because whoever we wanted to serve is within this destination. Around Adum and Kejetia, Central market. It’s always been our vision. We have tried a number of things and it was difficult getting a suitable location and so we got somewhere 50 metres away which was a small place, so we could only set up a mobilisation centre in 2019. The number of people going to that place and the amount of money deposited with us really called for a new branch to be opened,” Mr. Asmah said.
Board Chair – Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC, Dr. Tony Aubyn Esq., giving a speech at the branch opening, mentioned that the bank has made great strides and hopes to rope in GH₵1billion by end of year 2024.
He further thanked the Association of Rural Banks for creating a conducive environment for Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) to thrive in the Ashanti Region and beyond.
For his part, the Ashanti Regional Manager, ARB Apex Bank, Kofi Owusu, urged all businessowners and traders to transact business with RCBs as they are as strong as the commercial banks in the country.
He further gave the assurance that the activities of RCBs are properly regulated; therefore, their funds are safe and due to that none of 147 RCBs in the country was shut down during the 2017 financial sector clean-up exercise by the Bank of Ghana.
