By J. K Nabary, GNA
Awutu Bereku (C/R), July 24, GNA – ARB Apex Bank continues to emphasise on strong corporate governance, regulatory compliance and prudent risk management as non-negotiable pillars of effective banking, Mr Curtis Brantuo, Ag Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank PLC has stated.
He said the Bank had a number of expectations including strict adherence to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) directives, board oversight, management accountability, robust credit risk management and recovery systems as well as zero tolerance for insider-related infractions.
Mr Brantuo stated this in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr Kofi Owusu also of Apex Bank at the 35th Annual Stakeholders’ durbar of the Awutu Emasa Community Bank PLC at Awutu Bereku in the Awutu-Senya West District.
“On behalf of ARB Apex Bank, I congratulate the Board, Management, Staff and the esteemed Stakeholders of Awutu Emasa Community Bank for convening their milestone durbar, 35 years of dedicated service to the Awutu community and its environs is a remarkable achievement that deserves celebration.”
Mr Brantuo said the annual stakeholder’s durbar provided opportunity for the Bank to review its outstanding performance, reflect on challenges, successfully navigate and together chart a sustainable path forward in a rapidly developing regulatory and economic environment.
“As you are aware, the Bank of Ghana’s Microfinance Sector Reform Programme which requires all Rural Community Banks to transition into fully-fledged community Banks that are stronger, better capitalised, well-governed, technologically enabled and resilient.”
He stated that with regard, the BoG had set a minimum paid-up mandatory threshold capital requirement of five million Ghana Cedis for all existing community banks across the country, regulatory timeline (December 31, 2026).
“The ARB Apex Bank urges the Board and stakeholders to conduct immediate capital adequacy assessment, develop clear capital mobilisation strategy, secure the shareholders commitment, submit credible recapitalisation plan and ensure full compliance before the deadline,” he said.
According to him, the Awutu Emasa Community Bank’s 2025 outstanding performance positioned it strongly to attract stakeholder confidence for capital strengthening.
Also, the total assets of the bank grew impressively by 33 percent, rising from GHc35.7 million in 2024 to GHc47.5 million in 2025, demonstrating expanding capacity and stakeholder confidence.
The Acting Managing Director said that customer deposits recorded remarkable growth of 32 percent increasing from GHc32. Million in 2024 to GHc42.8 million, reflecting stronger depositor confidence, loans and advances grew by an exceptional 175 percent from GHc8.1 million to GH22.3 million also demonstrating strong commitment to financing local economic activates.
He said, profit before tax recorded marginal growth of 8.3 percent, rising from GHc840.955.00 in 2024 to GHc911, 141.00, reflecting operational excellence and strategic execution adding that such remarkable performance placed Awutu Emasa among the sector’s good performers.
“ARB Apex Bank has implemented strategic initiatives, including liquidity support, shared digital platforms, capacity building and policy coordination and going forward we priorities; deepening financial inclusion through agency banking, accelerating digital transformation with cyber security resilience, support capital strengthening and enhancing support for agriculture, SME’s and local value chains,” he informed the gathering.
“ARB Apex Bank reaffirms our commitment at working with Awutu Emasa Community Bank to build a resilient, trusted and development-oriented banking network and as you celebrate 35 years of service, may you find renewed commitment to take this institution to even greater heights,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah