Anum Community Bank shareholders approve bonus shares

Shareholders of Anum Community Bank PLC in the Eastern Region have approved the issuance of bonus shares to strengthen the bank's capital base and ensure compliance with the Bank of Ghana's new minimum capital requirement for community banks.

The decision was taken at the bank's 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Ebenezer Congregation, Anum, where shareholders also approved the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, directors' remuneration and authorised the Board to determine the remuneration of the external auditors.

The AGM brought together shareholders, traditional authorities, representatives of the Bank of Ghana, ARB Apex Bank PLC, the Association of Community Banks (ACB) Ghana, local government officials and invited guests.

Addressing the meeting, Board Chairman Richard Sarbah Eshun said the bank remained resilient despite a challenging economic environment in 2025, marked by declining treasury bill rates, rising utility costs and increased tax obligations.

He reported that profit before tax declined by 41.06 percent from GH¢3.64 million in 2024 to GH¢2.15 million in 2025. Despite the decline in profitability, he said the bank recorded growth across most of its key financial indicators.

According to Eshun, total operating income increased by 10.73 percent from GH¢24.57 million in 2024 to GH¢27.21 million in 2025, while interest income rose from GH¢22.24 million to GH¢24.06 million. Net interest income also improved by 7.24 percent, increasing from GH¢20.31 million to GH¢21.78 million.

He said the bank's total assets grew by 23.98 percent from GH¢106.39 million in 2024 to GH¢131.90 million in 2025, while customer deposits increased by 34.08 percent from GH¢80.32 million to GH¢107.69 million.

Loans and advances also recorded significant growth, rising by 31.57 percent from GH¢36.22 million in 2024 to GH¢47.65 million in 2025.

Shareholders' funds increased from GH¢14.58 million to GH¢16.48 million, representing a growth of 13.03 percent, while stated capital rose by 45.19 percent from GH¢2.21 million to GH¢3.22 million.

Eshun noted that operating expenses increased from GH¢19.68 million in 2024 to GH¢23.47 million in 2025, while financial liabilities rose by 25.73 percent from GH¢91.80 million to GH¢115.42 million. Short-term investments also grew from GH¢46.47 million to GH¢56.72 million, reflecting the bank's strong liquidity position.

He added that the bank maintained a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 15.31 percent, well above the Bank of Ghana's minimum prudential requirement of 10 percent.

The Board Chairman explained that following the Bank of Ghana's directive requiring all rural banks to transition into community banks and attain a minimum stated capital of GH¢5 million by the end of 2026, the Board did not recommend the payment of dividends for the 2025 financial year.

Instead, shareholders approved the issuance of bonus shares valued at approximately GH¢1.88 million, with every shareholder receiving 14 additional shares for every 100 shares held. The recapitalisation exercise is expected to help the bank attain the revised minimum capital requirement and strengthen its long-term sustainability.

Speaking on behalf of Nenye Akusiaku-Brempong Kumi Sasraku VIII, Nenye Bombo, Nifahene of the Anum Traditional Area, commended the bank for its 43-year journey and urged its leadership to ensure the transition from Anum Rural Bank PLC to Anum Community Bank PLC goes beyond a change of name.

He called on the bank to deepen support for local businesses, farmers, traders and young entrepreneurs to promote job creation and drive community development.

Speaking at the AGM, Acting Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank PLC, Curtis William Brantuo, commended the Board, management and shareholders for steering the bank through a difficult economic period while maintaining steady growth.

He described the ongoing regulatory reforms as an opportunity for community banks to become stronger, more resilient and better positioned to compete in an increasingly digital financial sector.

Brantuo assured shareholders that ARB Apex Bank would continue supporting community banks through enhanced technology platforms, regulatory guidance, digital banking solutions and improved risk management systems.

National Treasurer of the Association of Community Banks (ACB) Ghana, Patrick Buckor, congratulated Anum Community Bank on its performance and acknowledged its contribution to financial inclusion and community development.

He noted that 2026 marks the Golden Jubilee of rural and community banking in Ghana and described the transition from rural banks to community banks as a significant milestone for the sector.

Beyond its financial performance, the bank spent GH¢99,159 on scholarships, donations and other community development initiatives during the year under review. It also commissioned its new Atimpoku branch building in June 2026 to improve customer service.

Anum Community Bank currently operates nine branches across the Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra regions, with three mobilisation centres.

Management said its strategic priorities for 2026 include quality loan administration, deposit mobilisation, digital banking expansion, customer acquisition, expenditure control and staff capacity development.