Bonzali Rural Bank Limited, the oldest rural bank in the Northern Region , has opened two more branches at Sang and Chereponi, as part of its mission to bring banking and micro-lending to the doorsteps of its clients.

This brings to eight the number of branches of Bonzali Rural Bank Limited across the Region, with the headquarters at Kumbungu.

Alhaji Mahdi Abdallah, Board Chairman of Bonzali Rural Bank Limited, whose speech was read on his behalf, at the opening of the branch at Sang in the Mion District, on Thursday, said the bank was poised to continue to design various financial products that addressed the business needs of its clients to promote rural development.

Alhaji Abdallah said since its establishment 24 years ago, the bank had made great strides in the areas of funding local opportunities and business, and bringing banking services to rural communities, amongst others.

He, therefore, appealed to all “to see the bank as your their and patronize it by buying shares and operating very viable accounts with the bank” to help consolidate the financial position of the bank to enable it to extend its services to other parts of the region.

Bonzali Rural Bank Limited was adjudged the best rural bank in the region and the third best rural bank in the country at the maiden Rural Banks Excellence Awards organised by the Association of Rural Banks – Ghana (ARB – G) in Tamale, in November.

Mr Kwadwo Aye Kusi, Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank, whose speech was read on his behalf, said the bank’s presence in the districts would afford it the opportunity to be part of government programmes aimed at improving the economic standards of the people.

Mr Aye Kusi urged the bank to make customer satisfaction its hallmark to ensure that all customers were satisfied at all times because the bank’s success would be achieved and sustained through effective customer service.

Mr Dan Makandan, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Mion, commended the bank for its strides and urged the Management to expand to other parts of the region as well as consider more humane and relaxed conditions in dealing with the vulnerable while taking advantage of the micro-economic opportunities created by government.

Earlier on Wednesday during the opening of the Chereponi branch, Hajia Mary Nakobu, DCE for Chereponi, commended the bank for helping women groups with small loans to improve their business activities.

Hajia Nakobu said the opening of the Chereponi branch had eased the challenges of the residents especially workers, who had to travel long distances to withdraw salaries.