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 The Managing Director of Sahel-Saharan the Bank, Robert Kow Bentil has said that the bank would in the coming weeks commission additional branches at Madina, Nima and the North Industrial Area to serve customers in those areas.
Other areas in the country that the bank is expected to commission branches are Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale and two more branches in Tema and Darkuman in Accra.
Bentil announced this when he commissioned two new branches for business on the Spintex Road opposite Metalex Ghana and Accra opposite the Central Post Office.
“This will bring to 10 the bank’s total branches in the country by the end of the year, and we intend to commission six branches more in other parts of the country bringing our total branch network to 16 by the end of 2011”, said Bentil.
According to him the bank has procured more than 15 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for installation in the bank’s entire branch network.
He said the bank offers additional services as SMS and internet banking and including visa cards and money transfers at virtually no cost. “We have designed specific products that are tailored to the needs of every customer”, he added.
He stated that the bank is pursuing a three year strategic plan that will see it grow in market share. “There are many who think the banking industry is saturated and has nothing to offer, but that is where we anchor our strength”, he said.
Sahel Sahara Bank which began operations in March 2008 with a balance sheet of GH ¢9.2 million registered GH¢15.2 million by January 2009 and by the close of June, the bank’s balance sheet stoods at GH¢20.2million.
Bentil is hopeful that with the strategic plan on course, the bank’s total assets is expected to reach GH¢45 million by the close of the year.
With just a customer in March 2008, the bank currently boasts of 1,500 customer and this number, according to Bentil, is expected to double by December 2009.
The Sahel-Saharan Bank for Investment and Commerce in Ghana has banking correspondence globally with a network of other banks within the BSIC group.
“We have well adapted products and co-operate with regional and international financial institutions and specialized organisations in securing investments”, he said. Among the products of the bank is to assist clients obtain various forms of credit locally and offshore through the issuance of guarantees at competitive rates on behalf of clients.
The Sahel Sahara Bank is a member of a network of subsidiaries of BSIC and has branches in a 16 African countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Libya Mali, Sudan, Chad, Togo Central African Republic, Senegal and the Gambia.
The bank is the result of the Pan African Vision of Leaders and Heads of States of the CEN-SAD community, into which Ghana was admitted in 2005.
“It is a clear illustration of Economic Integration in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Region and an essential step towards the achievement of the African Union” Bentil said.
By Fred SARPONG DAWURO-Ghana News
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