AFR Business

June 11th, 2013

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has been adjudged the 2013 African Bank of the Year by the African Banker Magazine, clearly displacing Ghanaian banks which did not receive any mention at the awards.

The award, dubbed ‘African Bankers Award’, was held on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the African Development Bank (ADB) in Marrakech, Morocco, in May this year.

The award ceremony which was organized by the African Banker is the only pan-African magazine dedicated to banking on the continent, and held annually to recognise banks that have made impact on the continent or within the sub region. Twenty-one awards in various categories were at stake.The magazine recognises financial institutions across the continent for their leadership role and commitment to good corporate governance practices, exceptional service delivery and innovative products.

The Publisher of the African Banker Magazine, Mr Omar Ben Yedder, was quoted in a release from the bank as saying that “We are delighted that Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has won this award”.

He said GTBank had consistently played a leading role in banking, prudently run with strong values, and continued to set new standards in banking. Its successful foray in international markets reflects strong fundamentals of a leading institution in Africa.

In responding to the bank’s sterling performance, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the GTBank Group, Mr Segun Agbaje, attributed the bank’s recognition and the award to hard work, discipline and a well-defined operating strategy that enabled it to provide the utmost in customer expectations at all times.

He explained that customer satisfaction and service excellence were at the core of the group’s business, adding that “GTBank would continue to involve and partner with all stakeholders to institute innovations that allow the bank to provide services that surpass customer expectations and needs”.

For his part, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Mr Lekan Sanusi, stated that this additional recognition was an affirmation of GTBank’s superiority in delighting its customers.

“It all boils down to doing things right and ensuring that customers, shareholders and all other stakeholders are provided with the utmost service delivery and results”, he said.

Mr Sanusi said “For us here in Ghana, this award certainly confirms that we are part of a strong group and it provides further attestation to our customers and the general public that they can continue to rely on us”.

The 2013 African Bank of the Year award comes to augment similar awards in recent times recognizing GTBank’s superiority on the continent as far as banking was concerned.

A KPMG Africa-wide Customer Satisfaction Survey Report for 2012 also named Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, its Sierra Leone counterpart and GTBank Plc, Nigeria, as the Most Customer Focused Bank in their respective countries, making the group dominant in this area across West Africa.

The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as the best run financial institution across its subsidiary countries and serve as role models within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

In Ghana, the bank was also adjudged the bank of the year at the 2009 and 2010 Ghana Banking Awards organised by Corporate Initiative Ghana.

May 21st, 2013

Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, in a bid to make its services readily available and within walking distance of the central part of Accra, opened another branch at the Makola Shopping Mall last week to compliment the two branches located at Tudu and Opera Square.

The new branch, located opposite the Ghana Law School, will operate normal retail, commercial and SME banking services as well as offer various money transfer services – including the bank’s own proprietary Guaranty Trust Money Transfer service (GTMT) for both inward and outward remittances within West Africa, and its domestic transfer service called G-Cash. Other money transfer services on offer include MoneyGram, Western Union and Vigo.

The good news for commuters, traders and the business community in this location is that the branch has also been equipped with an ATM that accepts VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and China Union Pay (CUP) cards issued from anywhere in the world.

Customers can also enjoy e-banking solutions such as GeNS (Guaranty Electronic Notification System) for instant alerts on all transactions, Internet Banking, SMS Banking, Statement via Email, Slip-Free banking and other payment systems ideal for shops and businesses such as MasterCard enabled Point of Sale (POS) terminals.

With intentions of expanding into more areas in Accra and other parts of the country during the year, this additional outlet in Central Accra at Makola is seen as strategic.

The Managing Director, Mr. Lekan Sanusi said: “We are committed to providing professional banking services to various facets of the Ghanaian economy. The thrust of our market penetration strategy for 2013 and beyond is to bring services even closer to customers and increase our deposit and other liabilities necessary to sustain profits and diversify our customer base.”

He further stated that: “Part of our brand-promise to our cherished customers is to make it easier for all to access and experience our superior banking services wherever they might find themselves; be it at home, work or in the marketplace.

“We are an extremely customer-focused bank and we want all customers, regardless of social class or status, to be able to reach us with less hassle,” he added.

GTBank – recently named in a customer satisfaction survey report by KPMG as the “Most Customer focused Bank in Ghana” — has within its seven years of operations expanded its branch network to 24 locations in six regions of Ghana, with plans to expand to the Central and Eastern Regions by year-end. It has also introduced varied products and services for the convenience of its customers and the general public.

The Bank has also been named as Bank of the Year two consecutive times, in 2009 and 2010, winning alongside several other major category awards.

September 14 , 2012

In a bid to meet the increasing demands and preferences for its high net-worth individual (HNI) customers, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited has re-launched its private banking business with the opening of its Private Banking Lounge and the introduction of a customised account.

The new face of GTBank Private Banking is a one-stop-shop convenient banking service tailored to suit the needs of all upwardly mobile individuals and those who are constantly on the go and it is supported by the bank’s robust Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and well–trained service-oriented personnel.

The hub of the service is the bank’s plush East Legon branch, where the Private Banking Lounge has been opened.

However, customers can access their accounts and undertake any transaction at any of the bank’s branches nationwide and each client is also handled by a dedicated relationship manager.

As part of the Private Banking Package, GTBank Ghana has also introduced a new product known as GTMax account, which is designed to meet the needs of these HNI customers. This is an interest-bearing current account that guarantees attractive returns on investments. Besides, customers are given free customised GTMax cheque book and a bouquet of free e-banking products.

The Managing Director of GTBank, Mr Lekan Sanusi, said the facility, with its serene atmosphere, coupled with the bank’s dedicated and service-oriented staff, would enable it to “strengthen the solid foundation GTBank has built over the years with its HNI customers”.

He further stated that, “With the sophistication of the banking industry now and GTBank’s quest to maintain its topmost position when it comes to delighting customers, we constantly look for new ways of making our services easily accessible, convenient and enjoyable for our discerning customers”.

In his presentation, the Head, Retail and Transaction Bank Division, Mr. Stephen Abban, said, “To ensure a truly personal and private banking encounter, each customer will be entitled to a dedicated relationship manager who will always be on hand to provide expert financial support”.

Mr. Abban stated that customers of GTBank Private Banking would now have easy access to opening accounts that would help them secure mortgages from GTBank UK.

Since its inception in 2006, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited has established itself as a pacesetter in the financial services industry, delivering superior quality services to customers.

It has been adjudged Bank of the Year for two consecutive years, in 2009 and 2010, winning with it numerous other key category awards in the areas of IT/Electronic Banking, Corporate Banking and Product Innovation, Customer Care, Advisory Services, Loan Financing and Competitive Pricing.

The bank had also been named by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as the most market responsive Global Trade Finance Programme (GTFP) Issuing Bank in Africa for 2010 and is presently named as the 7th Most Prestigious Company in Ghana on the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s Club 100 List.

17 AUG 12 / SUBSIDIARY NEWS
August 17, 2012

Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited having been rigorously assessed by independent external auditors has now been certified as meeting the requirements of the internationally respected Quality Management System (QMS) standards-measuring instrument ISO 9001:2008.
This certification confirms that GTBank has an effective Quality Management System (QMS) in place. The fundamental systems provided through the ISO 9001:2008 certification include assurances on customer satisfaction, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, continual improvement, fact-based decision making and mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

In line with its commitment to superior customer service delivery, the Bank subjected its quality management systems and processes to the Third party certification audit by Systems and Services Certification of SGS, Société Générale de Surveillance S.A., which is accredited under United Kingdom Accreditation Scheme UKAS, to assess its Corporate, Consumer, Retail and Commercial Banking activities.

Other areas of the Bank’s operations reviewed as part of the certification process include Currency Trading, Foreign and Domestic Operations, Funds Transfer, Transaction Services, Consumer Information Services, Treasury Operations and development of associated banking services.

The process covered the Bank’s Head Office at 25A Castle Road, Ambassadorial Area at Ridge in Accra, the hub of GTBank’s operations nationwide and its subsequent certification is valid for a period of three years and remains subject to satisfactory surveillance audits.

Good news for GTBank customers is that the implementation of ISO 9001:2008 is a commitment to ensure continual improvement of the Bank’s Quality Management Systems (QMS) and processes. It presents the opportunity to determine, meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations whilst boosting profitability and would in turn help GTBank meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders. Its ultimate goals are to provide consistent processes, customer satisfaction and continual improvement involving periodic audits to ensure the Bank’s systems are working in the best interest of the latter.

The implementation of ISO 9001:2008 would also be used as a quality management measurement tool to assess GTBank’s ability to resolve customer satisfaction issues and prescribe systematic control of activities to ensure that their needs and expectations are consistently exceeded.

Aside this certification enhancing GTBank’s image and giving it a competitive edge over peers, it is an attestation to the Bank’s commitment to the provision of quality services as per international standards and best practices and the willingness to work towards improving efficiency.

To the Bank’s employees, the process help creates even better working environment increased job satisfaction, understanding of customer quality issues, improved health and safety procedures and boost morale.

Commenting on this great feat, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Mr. Lekan Sanusi stated that “This achievement comes to buttress our vision to deliver the utmost in customer service at all times”.
“It shows the level of commitment and extent to which an organization such as ours would go to avail itself for international scrutiny to assure customers and other stakeholders that our systems and processes are all structured to ensure they receive the best of services from us”, he added.

Systems and Services Manager of SGS Ghana Limited, Mrs. Bhagwat, congratulated Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited for receiving this prestigious, internationally recognized ISO 9001:2008 certification.
She said, “SGS Ghana is a proud certification partner of GTBank in this ISO certification. Audit team included auditors of SGS Ghana Limited”.

She added that, “This ISO Certification means GTBank has world-class quality management system, which has been independently verified by us and that the Bank’s business processes are more cost effective and efficient in satisfying its customers in Ghana and the world”.

“The award is one of efforts and commitment of the management and employees of GTBank”, she concluded.
.Founded on February 23, 1947, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international-standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. It develops and promulgates standards which seek to ensure desirable characteristics of products and services such as quality, environmental friendliness, safety, reliability, efficiency and interchangeability, all at an economical cost. It has its headquarters situated in Geneva, Switzerland.

Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited was registered in October 2004 as a limited liability company and licensed by the Bank of Ghana in February 2006 to provide universal banking services to the general public. It commenced operations in March the same year.

Within the six years of its operations in Ghana, it has established itself as a pacesetter and a reference point in the financial services industry. It has been adjudged Bank of the Year for two consecutive years, in 2009 and 2010, winning with it numerous other key category Awards in the areas of IT / Electronic Banking, Corporate Banking and Product Innovation, Customer Care, Advisory Services, Loan Financing, Competitive Pricing etc.
The Bank had also been named by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as the Most Market Responsive Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) Issuing Bank in Africa for 2010 and is presently named as the 7th Most Prestigious Company in Ghana on the Ghana Investment Promotions Centre’s Club 100 List.

1 APR 10 / SUBSIDIARY NEWS
April 1st, 2010:

As part of its commitment to support the provision of quality education to the needy youth in Ghana, the Guaranty Trust Bank has made a considerable financial contribution to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The Cash donation of GH 20,000 to the KNUST Needy Students Fund is a demonstration of the Bank’s remarkable corporate social responsibility to society as well as its commitment to the provision of equal opportunities for all those who desire to achieve academic excellence even when facing financial constraints.

The Managing Director of the bank, Dolapo Ogundimu, said his organization was touched by a story that appeared in a section of the press that some students had to cut short their tertiary education and also forfeit their placements because they genuinely could no longer find their way through their educational programmes due to the lack of funds.
Mr. Ogundimu said “as a responsible social organization we were moved to soften the hardship that some brilliant but needy students may be facing, and this gesture is part of our vision to reach out to students who possess the intellectual capacity but lack the financial strength to realize their dreams and aspirations.

Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim the chairman of GT Bank stated “it is our belief that education forms the bedrock for national development and over the years our operations in Ghana has demonstrated our support for the educational sector. He promised that the bank will continue to partner with the university in providing quality education for all irrespective of their social and financial status.

Moreover, he was hopeful that the gesture would further deepen the relationship that the Bank has forged with KNUST. He added that the bank presently manages the accounts of over 1,500 students, and that, banking services have been made convenient for student clients. He said in the coming months, they envisage establishing their presence on campus to increase their customers easy access to excellent convenient banking services by providing a 24hour visa-enabled ATM.

Prof. K. K. Adarkwa, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, noted that the donation of GH20,000 was so far the highest contribution to the fund. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the banks generosity and thoughtfulness and called for more support from other stakeholders.

He noted that apart from internally generated funds by the university to support such students, the university had also introduced a work study programme to help students earn some income towards the payment of their fees.