The occasion also witnessed the commissioning of a D3 million access road leading to their investment building.
In a statement delivered at the inaugural ceremony, GTBank Gambia CEO/MD Bolaji Ayodele said his bank is today one of the leading banks in The Gambia in terms of electronic services.
He assured the general public and bank clients that GTBank is in The Gambia to stay, adding that the bank would continue to strive to become the most outstanding bank in all key areas of the industry.
Mr Ayodele explained that when GTBank Gambia started operations in The Gambia 14 years ago, they tasked themselves to become a lead player and a game changer in the industryby not only providing superior financial services in the country but also by taking a lead role in complementing government in its drive to develop the country.
“By the grace of God, with the determination of our staff and commendable guidance of our board, our brand is today synonymous with efficient service delivery and innovation in The Gambia banking space,” he said.
MD Ayodele also highlighted some of the bank’s achievements since coming into The Gambia in 2002.
According to him, “GTBank is the first bank to establish its head office outside of Banjul”.
GTBank is also the first bank to start issuance of local ATM Cards in 2008, and by the year 2011, GTBank introduced the Visa card that remained the only principal member to Visa International with the right to issue Visa Classic Debit Card to their customers and also allowed to deploy Point of Sale terminals to merchants in The Gambia, he stated.
Mr Ayodele also stated that on 5 December 2013, the bank launched the first-ever electronic branch in The Gambia.
The branch houses 4 Master Card and Visa enabled ATMs and computers with access to GTBank Internet Banking platform.
Prior to launching the electronic branch, they enhanced the use of the GTBank Cashplus Debit card by enabling their ATMs for the purchase of NAWEC’s cash power and mobile credit of any GSM network in The Gambia.
He said that in line with improving service standards for their teeming customers, in July 2013, they upgraded their internet banking platform with the introduction of the new Token device.
The device is to enhance customer protection against online theft and enable customers conduct third-party transfer and other basic banking transactions on a more secured platform, he stated.
“GTBank is also the first bank to install Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Basse,” MD Ayodele recounted.
He said further: “I believe the achievements mentioned above and this occasion of the joint commissioning of the head office extension and the road leading to the office are enough proof that GTBank is indeed pacesetter in the industry and genuine recipient of the GCCI Service Provider of the Year 2013 award, the years 2011 and 2008 Bank of the Year Awards as well as recently the Global Banking and Finance Awards for the best commercial bank and best Internet Bank of the Year in The Gambia for 2015.”
He assured their loyal customers that their chosen brand shall always take great comfort in satisfying the banking needs, as they would always strive to surpass their expectations.
The GTBank MD added that the steady and sure growth of the bank created the need for additional space to accommodate their growing staff strength.
Based on the steady growth of the bank, he noted, the board, under the chairmanship of Dr Amadou Samba, approved a management proposal for the bank to construct the magnificent building to the tune of D72 million.
“We believe that the building will not only encourage our staff to perform even better, but it will also add to the beautifulPipeline landscape,” he said, adding: “We also believe that the building is symbolic as it would hopefully increase customer trust in the bank and assure the general public that GTBank Gambiais here to stay.”
He thanked the building contractors for a job well done and the consultant UF-A consultant Limited for their excellent supervision of the project.
According to the MD, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the bank is a key component of their strategy as a bank, adding that their CSR intervention focuses on every facet of society, notably health, education, sport and arts and culture.
“The road constructed for over D3 million is one of our many CSR interventions. We hope that the road will ease movement for not only staff and customers, but also the general public,” he said, adding that the road is expected to ease traffic on Kairaba Avenue as it will serve as an alternative route for motorists.
He thanked the government and people of The Gambia for recently celebrating the country’s 51st year of nationhood in peace and prosperity.
He also thanked the Central Bank of The Gambia for their efficient supervisory role, support and the prompt approval of the usage of the edifice as well as the National Roads Authority and KMC for giving them the opportunity to construct the road.
The Works and Transport Minister, Bala Garba Jahumpa, commended GTBank for the initiatives and urged other commercial banks to emulate the bank by constructing access road to their establishments or investments.
He as well appealed to other business establishments and the hotel association to also follow suit in constructing access road leading to their own investments so the government would concentrate on building major highways.
