Growing with the people

15 branches currently cater to the population’s needs, and uniBank continues to expand, faithful to its conviction that the people of Ghana are its most prized asset. The bank’s strategy is to invest in and nurture the community as it in turn brings business to the bank. This niche marketing approach has paid off and contributed to the bank’s success story in the SME market, broadening uniBank’s growth and profitability.

In 2007, for example, Ghana Business Week stated the bank’s profit (before tax) grew by 259 per cent. In 2009, it was listed as the second fastest growing company in the country by the Ghana Club 100 listing. In 2010, the bank’s total assets registered an impressive 79 per cent rise from GH¢220 million (over US$134 million) in 2009 to GH¢307.9 million ($188 million). More recently, PriceWaterhouseCooper’s 2011 banking survey positioned uniBank as one of the fastest growing banks in the country and this same year, the group picked up four prestigious prizes at the 10th Ghana Awards Night, including the Retail Banking and Advisory Services awards.

UniBank’s strongest and most competitive division is undoubtedly the SME market, where it has successfully and proudly carved itself a niche. From a very early stage, uniBank recognized the important contributions of SMEs to the economic and social development of Ghana, and was quick to tackle the market.

When the main problem SMEs faced was access to capital, uniBank stepped in offering tailor-made products and services, allowing them to grow and expand their business operations. This immediately distinguished uniBank as a viable partner for SME businesses. Services are also offered to the informal sector.

As an indigenous bank - a people’s bank – uniBank is committed to its people’s future and, over the next decade, plans to continue identifying and nurturing promising entrepreneurs to help them become business giants. It has already prepared and trained 50 local business operators on financial transactions and international trade business to help maximise their profit levels. 

uniBank maintains its product portfolio by constantly updating its software. Mobile and e-banking services now allow clients to check their balances, transfer funds and pay utility bills directly from mobile phones.

As uniBank continues to offer its customers unrivalled levels of quality service, social intervention remains on its list of priorities: from providing financial aid for the infrastructure of schools, to environmental issues.