Kumasi, Jan. 24, GNA - Mr Komevor Tettegah, Ashanti Regional Manager of the First National Savings and Loans Limited (FNSL), has called on Ghanaians to develop positive attitude towards indigenous financial institutions. He said Ghanaian must patronize the products and services of such financial institutions to enable them to grow to expand and to create employment opportunities for the youth. Mr Tettegah was speaking at a customer awards ceremony organised by FNSL in Kumasi on Friday.

He said it was time Ghanaians change the negative perception that local goods and services were inferior. He added that people should rather develop interest and patronize made-in-Ghana products, which would help to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. The Manager said the way Ghanaians patronize the services of foreign banks even when local financial institutions were competitive, was a worrying.

"I therefore urge you to support FNSL, with its slogan 'The people's bank' to deliver its brand promise of being the first National Bank for the ordinary Ghanaian," he said.

Mr Tettegah said the bank in an effort to improve upon its services, has created a new office to help restructure its mobilization strategies to serve customers within the Ashanti region.

The Regional Manager stated that the office would oversee the extension of customer service, credit facilities, relations management and also liaise with other branches of the bank to ensure prompt and efficient service delivery.

"In addition to this, we have increased the number of field cashiers to reach a greater part of our catchments. Branches would be networked and money transfers would be aligned all in an effort to satisfy our customers," he noted.

Mr Tettegah said plans were advanced to increase the number of branches in the region to facilitate the bank's mobilization efforts, adding that a branch in Konongo was almost ready for operation. He revealed that the bank had also introduced emergency commercial loans for clearing goods at the port, payroll for salary workers, auto loans as well as the introduction of Bullion van services for easy cash deposit by customers.

Mr Johnny Archibrah, Adum branch manager of the bank in his welcome address, thanked the customers for their loyalty to the bank since its existence four years ago.

He urged customers to save with the bank, which has distinct products such as "Wodaakye Susu" Savings accounts, which helps customers to save at their own convenience.

Mr Archibrah said the interest rate of Wodaakye Susu is five times the amount deposited after continuously saving for two months without any withdrawals.

Mr Boakye Mensah, who chaired the ceremony, said Ghanaians are now beginning to appreciate the culture of savings and encouraged people to save more.

The bank awarded three customers. They were Madam Catherine Baidoo, who received 21-inch colour television set, Mr Mohammed Appiah, a microwave oven and Sunshine Traders, a micro finance group, which received a standing fan. 24 Jan. 10