Takoradi, Sept.30, GNA - The Takoradi branch of First Capital Plus (FCP), a savings and loans company, was officially opened on Thursday.

The Chief Executive Officer of FCP, Mr. William Ato Essien said the opening of the branch stemmed from the huge potential for businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Takoradi in the wake of the emerging oil and gas.

He said the bank intended to partner SME businesses in the region by providing them with holistic solutions through helping them to develop core management competencies to spur and sustain growth.

Mr. Essien said since its establishment in October 2009, FCP has been at the forefront of pioneering innovation and deepening financial intermediation through flexible, affordable and timely banking solutions.

He said FCP had increased its branch network to nine in the last two years and introduced the only 24 hour and seven days a week cash deposit service through mobile phones.

Mr. Essien said this innovation was the first in Ghana and Africa and the bank’s customer base had grown to over 80,000.

He said the bank would be relevant to the community and added that since its commencement in October 2009, FCP had sponsored the education of seven children as well as supported their mother.

Mr. Essien said the bank had also arranged for psychological counseling for the entire family.

He said blood donation had been an integral part of the bank’s social corporate responsiveness and it intended to be regular contributor to the Blood Bank of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.