Kumawuman Rural Bank to introduce ATMs by close of year
The forms part of its objective of giving customers the opportunity to transact business and have access to their funds irrespective of time and even after business hours.
This also forms part of its plans of collaborating with the Bank of Ghana, together with other rural banks to make banking services accessible to customers everywhere through their ATM cards.
The E-zwich system, which is already working in the rural banking system, will also be available on the ATM platform.
The General Manager of the bank, Mr Emmanuel Takyi Ankrah speaking in an interview with the Graphic Business explained that after 35 years of existence, the bank had rendered an incomparable service to its cherished customers and there was therefore the need to make banking easily accessible to the public.
He continued that the system should have been operational by now but due to some challenges, it had to be suspended and was hopeful that by close of the year, it would be operational.
Mr Ankrah said the service would be available in most of the rural banks across the country and customers who would be issued visa cards would be able to access their accounts anywhere in the country.
On the E-zwich and ATM systems operation, he said, “the E-zwich operates during banking hours and we want to also introduce ATM system where customers can still have access to their monies when we are not working just like the way the major banks in the country operate”.
About the bank
Touching on the history of the bank, he said it all started when some natives of Kumawu living outside the country came together and formed an association called the Kumawuman Kuo and later transformed it to the present Kumawuman Rural Bank.
The bank currently has 12 branches in the Ashanti Region, with seven of them located within the Kumasi Metropolis. They include Alabar, Ahensan, Asafo Market and Amakom.
The other branches are Banko, Drobonso, Bodomase and Effiduase with the headquarters at Kumawu.
Products and services
The General Manager also highlighted some of the services the bank offered which include quick loans for salaried workers who are not even saving with the bank; Golden Susu, which is geared at inculcating the habit of savings in the customers to enable them to raise capitals for their businesses or projects and the Meba Anidaso Education Savings for child education.
The bank also operates savings and current accounts, money transfer, loans and microfinance, as well as investment policies.
Mr Ankrah said the Golden Susu had provided loans for over 1,500 group of traders mostly women who engaged in petty trading “and more are expected to join due to the benefit and the quality services the bank offer to the women.”
He was optimistic that, with Dr Kwabena Dufour, a former Finance Minister as Board Chairman and member of the financial team that ensure the efficiency in operations, the bank had no other choice than to deliver quality and efficient services to the customers within and outside the Kumasi Metropolis.
“We are a diverse shareholding bank that has set a benchmark for banking that gives financial power back to our communities. We are currently expanding and extending our services to the outskirts of the Kumasi Metropolis to reach communities whose needs are within our domain but completely neglected by the High Street banks,” he said.
Well educated staff
He commended the staff for their dedication, hardwork and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He said the bank boast of staff who were well educated and have been trained to deliver the best of customer service to meet the diverse needs of its clientele.
He therefore encouraged market women in their catchment areas to patronise the services of the bank and allow them to contribute effectively to the growth of their businesses.
He also called on salaried workers to access their loan facilities even if they do not have an account with the bank. — GB
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