By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, Oct. 30, GNA – The UEW Co-operative Credit Union Limited is intensifying efforts to improve members’ access to financial services through digital platforms, enabling them to transact business and apply for loans remotely.
Mrs. Christiana Kilson, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Union, said the initiative formed part of measures to enhance service delivery, improve convenience and ensure that members could access financial services without necessarily visiting its offices.
Speaking at the Union’s annual open forum at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) in Kumasi, she said the Union was committed to making its services more accessible and convenient, particularly for members who might find it difficult to visit its offices.
The open forum which was on the theme, “The Role of UEW Co-operative Credit Union in Shaping Members’ Financial Future”, provided an opportunity for members to engage management on the Union’s operations, products and services, as well as receive updates on developments within the institution.
It was used to educate members on the use of its digital platforms, including the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service and web application, to facilitate financial transactions.
The web application enables members to conduct business from their homes, offices and places of work, including submitting loan applications through the platform.
Mrs. Kilson said the Union organised two major engagements with members annually, comprising the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where management rendered accounts, and the open forum, which allowed members to ask questions, make suggestions and receive feedback.
She said the engagements were important in promoting transparency, accountability and member participation in the Union’s operations.
Mrs. Kilson also disclosed that the Union had reduced its loan interest rate from 18 per cent to 16 per cent and subsequently to 13.5 per cent, as part of efforts to make borrowing more affordable.
Members, according to her, were being educated on the various loan products and their associated costs to enable them to make informed financial decisions.
Beyond its financial services, the CEO said the Union remained committed to community development through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
She said the Union had invested more than GHS 400,000.00 in CSR activities, including support for hospitals, individuals and innovative programmes within the communities it served.
It is also contributing to employment creation by recruiting graduates directly from universities, training and equipping them with the skills needed to work in the financial services sector.
She said the initiative was aimed at helping address graduate unemployment, while providing young professionals with opportunities to develop careers in the industry.
Mrs. Kilson encouraged members to take advantage of the Union’s products, services and digital platforms to improve their financial wellbeing.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
Email address: [email protected]