The opening of the new branch, according to the management, would deepen rural banking, promote financial inclusion and provide credit and advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), farmers, traders and artisans in the Berekum municipality.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Berekum, Mr Samuel Marsun, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, explained that the branch would operate on three key pillars of empowering SMEs, supporting agriculture and strengthening community partnerships.

The bank will provide tailored financial products for market women, artisans and agri-businesses to expand their businesses.

Mr Marsun said that specialised financing packages for farmers would take into account the seasonal nature of agricultural activities, ensuring timely access to inputs and working capital adding that the branch would improve financial inclusion by bringing banking services closer to the people and offered a secure platform for savings and investment.

Professor Emmanuel Opoku Marfo, the Board Chairman of the Bank announced a new “Homegrown Talent” Apprenticeship Scheme covering the next 12 months, saying that 40 percent of entry-level positions at the new branch would be reserved for indigent youth in the area.

He said the scheme prioritised skills and character, explaining that selected beneficiaries would receive training through the bank’s in-house banking school to prepare them for roles in customer service, collections and other operational areas.

Miss Susan Boateng, the Sunyani Branch Manager of ARB Apex Bank PLC, commended the bank for expanding its operations and strengthening rural financial services.

She said Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) continue playing a significant role in national development since the introduction of the concept in 1976, saying that presently there were 147 RCBs operating more than 800 branches nationwide.

The RCBs are supporting SMEs, agriculture and community-level economic activities, she explained, urging traditional authorities and the people in the area to support and transact business to sustain the operations of the bank.

Osabarima Kusi Yeboah II, the Nifahene (sub-chief) of the Berekum Traditional Area advised personnel of the bank to uphold professionalism and maintain high customer care service standards and called on the bank to support community development initiatives and create opportunities that would improve the livelihoods of the people.