Accra, May 7, GNA - Management of HFC Bank has introduced a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system to monitor operation= s of its 21 branches from a remote site, an official from the bank disclose= d on Friday.

The CCTV device, which has been described by management as a 'novelt= y' and the first of its kind in the Ghana's financial sector, aimed at providing safety to assets of clients and prospective customers of the ba= nk. Mr. Charles A. Martinson, General Manager of Banking Operations of H= FC Bank, made the disclosure in Accra at the end of a photo exhibition organised by the management as part of activities marking its 20th anniversary celebrations.

CCTV is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television= in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to point wireless links. CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas that m= ay need monitoring such as banks, casinos, airports, military installations,=

and convenience stores.

Mr. Martinson said the CCTV would be manned by the security coordinating unit of the bank to ensure continuous monitoring and an enhanced safety for both the bank and customers.

Mr. Akwete Akita, Executive Director of HFC Bank, said it was the vision of the financial institution to become "a leading universal bankin= g institution in the West African Sub-region providing world class financia= l service and to create wealth for its customers." He said the bank was incorporated as Home Finance Company Limited in=

1990 to provide mortgage services to clients but acquired licence in 2003= as a universal banking institution. 7 May 10

Caption for pictures: 081, 082: Charles Martinson, General Manager of banking operations, HFC explaining how the CCTV operates in the bank. 0790,080 New CCTV to monitor the operation system of the bank in the country.