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Business News of Thursday, 17 January 2002

Source: Accra Mail

SSB Celebrates 25th Anniversary

SSB Bank Limited has pledged to support government's initiative in providing finance to the private sector to accelerate economic development.

The Managing Director of SSS Bank Limited Mr. P.K. Thomson made this affirmation during the 25th Anniversary of the new SSS Bank which was observed yesterday under the theme "Bonding With Our Customers".

He said, the celebration called for the tactical review of the bank's operations over the past 25 years and more importantly a review of the present position and the vision for the future. He said, "this is therefore more than just an occasion to look back with pride, having provided sound secure banking over the years".

Mr. Thomson said the bank is repositioning itself, in launching the new line, to reflect the bank as "Today's Bank, Tomorrow's Bank".

Mr. Thomson assured customers that the bank is committed to the delivery of good services and products to satisfy their needs and demands. He said the bank is aware that "there is a lot more we will do to meet your expectations."

He pleaded with customers to continuously give the bank the necessary feedback so that "we can continuously improve the quality of your services".

The Managing Director disclosed that the new Quality Department would go a long way in satisfying customers by continually monitoring and improving service standards of the bank.

Mrs. Marian Barnor, the Secretary to the Board, in recounting the history, innovation, mission and achievement of the bank revealed that the bank has 37 branches nationwide of which most of them are networked. The Bank, she said is one of the most profitable banks in the country and a member of the Ghana Club 100.

She said in the past, SSB Bank invested by way of equity in various companies including, Taysec, Novotel, NTHC, Suame Foundry, Aluworks and Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC). Mrs. Barnor said the bank has also contributed in the agriculture sector, lending activities in all areas of the economy, export finance, development of SMEs others. The bank had been able to achieve much with an asset size of ? 1.4 trillion.

The Hon. J.H. Mensah, Senior Minister at the Office of the President assured the private sector of government's commitment in working with them to make the Golden Age of Business and Enterprise a reality. He said the time has come for government and the private sector to come into a closer relationship in order to support the government's efforts at rebuilding the country.

He suggested to SSB Bank to refocus its attention towards assisting small and medium scale enterprises in the rural areas.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) set up Social Security Bank in response to numerous requests directed at it from various government departments and parastatal organisations for loans to finance various projects in 1975. It has since grown to become one of the leading banks in the country. In a general facelift exercise to reflect its new vision and mission, the name was changed to SSB Bank.