CalBank outlines strategies to digitally transform operations

CalBank will in the next three years focus on the digital transformation of its operations to enhance performance and provide access to products and services for customers at their convenience.

The bank would also enhance the bank's digital strategy, introduce new products and provide bespoke services to grow the bank.

Mr Philip Owiredu, the nominated Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, revealed this when he spoke at the bank's 'Facts behind the Figures' programme organised by the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), to provide a platform for listed companies to give information to the investing public.

He said the Bank would adopt some measures to increase non-funded income as against funded income to maximise profit in the coming years.

Mr Owiredu said the Bank would increase women access to banking services by using its agency banking, a product the bank introduced some six weeks ago.

He said the bank had acquired a Certificate of Participation (COP) in the international market and issued a paper bought by investors in the New York.

The nominated CEO said the COP, which is a 12-year facility, would enable Small-to-Medium Enterprises to access loan facilities from the bank towards boosting their business operations.

Mr Frank Adu Jnr, the Outgoing CEO of Bank, who will bow out on December 31, this year said CalBank was a good institution, noting that he was confident his successor would take the bank beyond its current state.

He urged all and sundry to support his successor to prosper, saying: "My departure at the end of this year is actually going to be a blessing to the bank as opposed to anything else".

Responding to issues of high interest rate, the CEO said high interest rates were not caused by the banks but were a reflection of the management of the economy.

Mr Ekow Afedzie, the Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange, commended CalBank for being the only company committed to appearing twice every year on 'Facts behind the Figures' since listing on the exchange on November 5, 2004.

He said: "Cal has been very consistent in terms of complying with all the disclosure requirement of the exchange, and that, information flow from listed companies to the investing public is very critical for decision making, which is the idea behind the 'Facts behind the Figures'".

Mr Afedzie said Cal was the most liquid stock on the market because its 24,000 shareholders were always trading on the market but said that, however, could affect the share prices if the market was not doing well.

He commended Mr Frank Adu Jnr, the Outgoing CEO of the Bank for his instrumental role in the growth of the Exchange, especially as he led a number of interventions during his 12-year role as Chairman of the Council of the GSE.

Mr Afedzie said before the end of this year, the GSE would introduce a number measures to calm down rapid declining of prices on the market using small volumes, and that the Exchange would also ensure the improvement of liquidity on the market by introducing new features.