These include the extension of banking services from 8:30am to 5pm, the resumption of Saturday banking services in 23 branches and a rigorous deposit mobilisation drive.

Apart from improving access to quality and convenient banking services, the policies are aimed at repositioning GCB as the largest and number one bank in the country.

The Managing Director of GCB, Mr. Ernest Mawuli Agbesi, announced this at the fourth quadrennial conference of the Professional and Managerial Staff Union (PMSU) of GCB Bank at Ho at the weekend.

The PMSU is made of top officers and managers of the bank and affiliated to the Union of Industry, Commerce & Finance (UNICOF) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

New executive members of the PMSU were elected to steer the affairs of the union for the next four years. They are Mr. George Peniel, Chairman, Mr. Clement Osei Amoako, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Gerald Bruce Okai, Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sowah, Assistant Secretary, Mr.Aboagye Manu, First Trustee, Ms. Anna Kportufe, Second Trustee and Mr. Samuel Hutchful, executive member.

The theme for the conference was, “Supporting the development of SMEs for economic growth – The role of officers of GCB Bank Limited.”

The Managing Director described the theme as appropriate and timely looking at the intensified effort of the bank to empower the SME sub-sector of our economy.

“This is a vivid demonstration of the importance GCB attaches to SME business and the national economy. From its inception in 1953 the bank has been committed to providing special attention to Ghanaian traders, business people and farmers,” he stated.

Mr. Agbesi said GCB has outdoored five loan facilities for the country’s SME to boost their operations.

Facilities in the suite include Bridge Loan for all businesses requiring short term financing and urgent support, term loan; a customised secure loan for a fixed tenure and repaid in 36 months, overdraft, contingent liability, guarantees issued on behalf of customers and line of credit, and a standby facility for businesses to be used within a specified period.

The GCB SME Loan Suite scheme is aimed at providing short to medium credit facilities to the tune of GH¢100,000.00 with or without collateral to turn their businesses around.

Mr. Agbesi called on the management, staff and union of the bank to rise above parochial interests and put the interest of the bank above all others in their dealings with each other.

“We need each other and I expect that we all work towards maintaining cordial relations based on trust and respect. Let us create a congenial atmosphere for the bank’s business to flourish,” the MD said.

He said GCB as a Ghanaian bank seeks to support domestic companies with the view of nurturing them to bolster the economy and to become competitors at the international level.

Mr. Agbesi urged officers of the bank to go after SME business, nurture their business-focus on growing SMEs into home-grown multi-nationals adding that “we want to make GCB the bank for SMEs”.

The outgoing Chairman of the GCB PMSU, Mr. Dominic Cobbinah, advised members of the union and staff of the bank to eschew divisive tendencies and acts that would erode respect and credibility for the leadership of the bank and the union.

He observed that the relationship between management and leadership of the union has improved tremendously due to continuous interaction and dialogue.

Mr. Kofi Ansah, Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC urged workers especially staff of the bank to help build a resilient economy by avoiding hooliganism.

Mr. John Senanu Amegashie, Acting Secretary-General of UNICOF urged staff of the bank to be innovative to overcome daunting challenges in the SME sector.