The ARB Apex Bank together with the over one hundred and forty rural and community banks across the country held its annual two-day managers conference in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region.

The Conference which was held at the Volta Serene Hotel from 13th to 14th October, 2017 was on the theme “MAKING GREATER IMPACT IN THE RURAL BANKING INDUSTRY THROUGH INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH”.

The conference brought together managers of the rural banks to discuss the current happenings in the rural banking sector and to proffer solutions to the problems.

In his opening remarks, the managing director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr. Kojo Mattah, reiterated the need for deeper collaboration among RCBs to sustain growth through marketing and promotion of products and services of the RCBs. He stated that the RCBs should be ready to introduce innovation into the rural banking space, build a strong brand and become more customer oriented with tailored products for convenience and satisfaction of their niche market.

He reminded the participants of the U-connect, which is a new product being introduced by the ARB Apex Bank which will allow for customers to conveniently do banking with their mobile phones and would further bring the rural banks together for progress.
The Acting Executive Director of the National Chapter of the Association of Rural Banks, in her presentation stated that working collaboratively could position RCBs to “obtain greater resources, recognition and reward,” saying, “if you want to walk faster, walk alone but if you want to go farther, walk in a group.”

The Volta Regional Chapter President, on his part, appealed to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to be considerate in penalties it imposes on rural and community banks. He further appealed to central government to channel funds such as the District Assembly Common Fund through rural and community banks instead of universal banks, many of which are not located in the districts. “It is disheartening to see government channeling all its funds especially the DACF through the universal banks but anytime these assemblies need support for national events (farmers day), they write to RCBs for assistance. This is unfair. Government should pass all funds to assemblies through RCBs to keep us in business to support the assemblies,”

The Deputy Head of Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) of the Bank of Ghana also said that though the total assets of RCBs was GH¢3.44 billion as at June 30, this year and constituted 3.4 percent of total assets of the entire banking industry in the country, they must endeavor to meet all regulatory requirements to avoid sanctions by Bank of Ghana.

There were other presentations by corporate institutions such as Star Life Insurance on the benefits of insuring loans facilities granted, Alsale and Consultants from the Cardiothoracic Centre Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, took participants through a health screening exercise and talk on the causes, symptoms and prevention of some basic health problems such as; hypertension, diabetes, kidney Failure and breast Cancer.

It was all crowned with a dinner dance, The Managing Director and his Deputy were not spared from the tempting musical genres. Participants were happy at the organization, good ambiance and expressed their appreciation to the ARB Apex Bank for successful conference. We believe the great memories will fuel us to greater works.