All Rural and Community Banks (RCB) are to be computerised within the next three years and to speed up the process, negotiations are going on between ARB Apex Bank and TATA Infotech for technical assistance and designing the network.

Mr Ken Owusu-Twumasi, Head, Human Resource and Administration, ARB Apex Bank, said this at the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Nyankumasi Ahenkro Rural Bank at Nyankumasi in the Central Region at the weekend.

Mr Owusu-Twumasi said the computerisation formed part of measures by the ARB Apex Bank to transform rural and community banks into formidable banking institutions that would compete favourably with commercial banks.

He said ARB Apex Bank had placed orders for 60 photocopiers, 60 fax machines, 550 note-counting machines, 65 Security safes and 70 steel filing cabinets for supply to the RCBs.

Motor-bicycles would also be supplied to the banks, he said.

Mr Owusu-Twumasi said training programmes had been initiated for directors, management and other staff of the banks to enhance efficiency.

He said five branch offices of ARB Apex Bank would be opened within the next two years with one each at Takoradi, Kumasi and Sunyani before the end of the year.

He said the branches would be equipped with bullion vans to deliver cash to the RCBs.

Mr Owusu-Twumasi said already the bank has taken delivery of four bullion vans and said they are recruiting branch managers, specie officers, chief cashiers and drivers to handle the specie operations.

Mr Owusu-Twumasi said ARB Apex Bank would set up an Inspection Department at the Head Office to provide both on-site and off-site inspection service to check non-observance of internal control measures as well as statutory regulations to ensure the efficiency of RCBs.