Kumasi, May 19, GNA - HFC Bank Ghana Limited has opened a branch at Tarkwa-Maakro in the Kumasi Metropolis as part of the push to establish a firm foothold in the Ashanti region. This brings the number of branches in the region to four and ups the national total to 22.

Mr Charles Martinson, General Manager, Banking Operation, said the inauguration was a demonstration of the bank's determination to bring banking services to the door steps of the people. He said they were focusing on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to make them become the catalyst for the nation's economic growth.

The HFC bank offers numerous services including commercial banking, corporate and mortgage banking, investment services and asset management among others.

The General Manager asked businesses, mechanic and artisans at the Suame Magazine Industrial Area to take advantage of the bank's presence to expand their operations.

Dr Joseph K. Adjei, Managing Director of the HFC Microfinance Services Limited, in a speech read for him, said its' "Boafo microfinance" provides unique opportunity for low and moderate income Ghanaian households to achieve some level of comfort. The product has been packaged to help this group of people to achieve the dream of owning decent shelter, grow their business and aid their education pursuit.

He said the HFC "Boafo" had entered into agreement with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the HFC bank to help expand their businesses.

Under this, capital loans would be given to SSNIT contributors to enable them to invest in viable economic ventures to improve their livelihoods. Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene of Kumasi, asked the bank to open more agencies in the metropolis to support businesses and SMEs to grow.