APEX Bank focused on helping RCBs to remain competitive

Mr Kwadwo Aye Kusi, the Managing Director of ARB/APEX Bank, has renewed the Bank’s commitment to help Rural Community Banks (RCBs) to offer competitive services to their clients.

Mr Kusi said the APEX Bank, which is the overseeing body of all rural banks in the country, would continue to develop training programmes and build the capacities of staff of Rural Banks to enable them to give best services to their clients.

The Managing Director said this in an address, read on his behalf at this year’s launch of the Regional Banking Week and Biennial General Meeting, hosted by the Naara Rural Bank in Paga in the Kassena Nanaka West District (KNWD) of the Upper East Region.

Mr Kusi said the advent of technology and its adoption put RCBs in good position to contribute significantly to Ghana’s Economy, if they harnessed it properly.

He, therefore, urged the RCBs to embrace the use of technology with all seriousness to improve performance.

He also encouraged the RCBs that were facing challenges in meeting the set targets given by the Bank of Ghana to consider merging with other RCBs to enhance their potential to deliver in their catchment areas.

Alhaji Abdul Sherif Adam, the President of the Regional Association of RCBS, in a report, highlighted activities of the RCBS in the area and said the ARB Council planned to establish an insurance company.

He tasked members to take advantage of the new company and acquire shares in it to enjoy its benefits.

Mr George Nonterah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), KNWD Assembly, in a keynote address, acknowledged the significant role played by rural banks in communities in resource mobilisation for socio- economic development.

He said RCBs support to women and contribution for agricultural development in the region was huge and called on borrowers to repay their loans to give opportunities to other beneficiaries in need of such services.

He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the RCBs and urged the Upper East Regional Chapter to do more to increase shareholdings and attract more clients.

He also implored on the citizenry to play their part in building and sustaining rural banks in their communities.