ECOBANK has opened two new Western Union Money Transfer outlets at Kejetia, the hub of economic activities in the Metropolis and Old Tafo. This brings to five its outlets in the city. The three others are located at Abrepo-Junction, Ashanti New Town and Adum.

Opening the new additions on Monday, Mr Chris Appau, Ashanti Region Manager of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), expressed satisfaction with what he said was the keen and healthy competition in the banking sector. This, he said, was good for customers as each of the banks sought to improve the quality of its services in order to maintain its clients and win new ones.

Mr Appau said the interest rates of the banks remained basically the same and that the only difference had to do with the environment and customer service. The BOG Regional Manager, praised ECOBANK for its efficiency and sense of vision, saying; "the bank has proven that it knows what it is about".

He said it was quite remarkable that within a period of about one year, ECOBANK had been able to open five money transfer outlets in Kumasi.

Mr Martin Opoku, Area Manager of the Agricultural Development Bank, said the money transfer system had been of tremendous benefit to the economy of Ghana. He said remittances from the sizeable Ghanaian population living abroad had provided significant stimulus to development as it served as not only a source for the maintenance of families but helped in the implementation of housing projects among other things.

Mr Alfred Sakyi, Kumasi Branch Manager of ECOBANK, earlier in a welcoming address, spoke of plans to open additional ones to bring the total to nine before the end of the year.