Hohoe, Nov 7, GNA - The Central Bank will continue to adopt policies and programmes to restructure institutional framework and ensure safety in the banking industry.

The Bank of Ghana will ensure the development and growth of Rural and Community Banks as an integral part of the vibrant banking system which will provide the bedrock for efficient financial transactions. Dr A.K. Wampah, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), announced these at the first shareholders Annual General Meeting of the Gbi Rural Bank Limited, at Hohoe on Friday. He said that the Rural Banking concept was tailored to meet the peculiar needs of people in the rural areas and serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development of the rural economy and promote community ownership.

Dr Wampah expressed satisfaction at the general performance of Rural and Community Banks in the area of organization, deposit mobilization and credit delivery for rural development. "Rural Banks cannot perform this function as catalyst for economic development unless they build their operations on adequate shareholder funds, strong and diversified deposit base, quality assets, efficient and effective management" he stated.

Dr Wampah reminded the Banks of the provision of the BOG act towards liquidating non-sustainable banks and to take advantage of the evolving flexibilities in the industry to stay in business. He commended the board, management, staff, shareholders of the Gbi Rural Bank for the modest gains only a year after its establishment. Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu,, Managing Director of ARP Apex Bank Limited, said that the Bank would roll out new products and commercial services to enhance its profitability and sustainability including trade finance, value chain financing, card based products, off shore banking, deposit insurance and ATM operations.

He said that this proposed products were not intended to compete with the rural banks but provide support services in areas where the banks lacked the requisite capacity.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said for effective and efficient operation, reliability of financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the banks should strictly ensure internal control systems, risk management and customer services and marketing opportunities. He commended Gbi Rural Bank for being 70th out of 130 Rural and Community Banks countrywide in the second quarter of 2009 assessment, listing 36 in investment portfolios nationally and being adjudged fifth best out of 11 banks in the Volta Region.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said that the bank made a net loss before tax of Ghc 3,253 and mobilized deposits of Ghc 350,648 after granting loans and advances totalling Ghc 279488 which formed 79.7 percent of mobilized deposits. Dr William Agble, Chairman of the Board of the Bank, called on the Gbi-Dzigbe and Gbi Anyigbe citizens to patronize the financial institution and shareholders to increase their shares. 7 Nov 09