Amenfiman Rural Bank Limited at Wassa Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East district of the Western North Region has been adjudged CIMG Rural Bank of the year 2020 by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG).
The bank is a first-time recipient of this prestigious award since its inception 32 years ago and when the Rural Bank category was included in 2012.
The 2020 award was on the theme ‘Repositioning Ghana to leverage AfCFTA for economic development’, and sought to acknowledge individuals and organisations for their marketing excellence and innovations in the field of marketing.
The Governing Council of the CIMG – in collaboration with stakeholders such as Association of Rural Banks-Ghana, ARB Apex Bank, AGI, GNCCI, MOTI, National Insurance Commission, Ghana Association of Bankers and research institutions among others – played an active role in the selection process.
Consequently, the Awards Selection Committee, in consultation with stakeholders nominated Amenfiman Rural Bank and other rural banks in that category; and out of about 140 rural banks in the country, Amenfiman Rural Bank emerged Rural Bank of the Year, 2020.
A citation presented to the bank read: “Amenfiman Rural Bank has never relented in its efforts, and by dint of hard work has consolidated and sustained its leadership of rural banking in Ghana; thus becoming a point of reference in the industry since its establishment some four decades ago.
The citation further states: “Refreshingly, you are noted for your clear resolve to drive financial inclusion in your community by serving the unbanked and under-banked population of the market with ease, convenience and cost-efficient products through the use of technology, thereby creating value for them”.
These, according to the citation, are further evidenced in the introduction of three amazing products during the year under review: notably Amerb Life Assurance, Amerb Smart Loan and Amerb Gold Loan, which the bank’s patrons still talk about and hold in high regard and have culminating in market share (deposits) of GH¢363,614,268.
The citation further states that the communities which Amenfiman Rural Bank serves highly regard the bank for its wonderful CSR drives in the water, sports, sanitation, education and health sectors, as they have touched and transformed many lives.
The citation concludes: “Your use of astute market research findings to churn out solutions for your customers remain unmatched; thus, winning the hearts of our panel of evaluators, who duly confer on Amenfiman Rural Bank the CIMG Rural Bank of the Year 2020 award”.
The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Alexander Asmah, in a brief remark after presentation of the award said he is grateful to the board and his management team as well as the entire staff, as he recognises their unique individual roles which saw the bank win this prestigious award. He finally dedicated the award to the bank’s cherished customers and all relevant stakeholders, saying their loyalty to the bank has brought them to this present enviable position.
