CalBank marks 35 years with RED week focused on core values and indigenous banking role
CalBank PLC has launched its 35th anniversary celebration with a week-long series of activities dubbed “Rooted in Values. Built to Last. Proudly Indigenous”, aimed at reaffirming the bank’s foundational principles and future strategic direction. The celebration began with the launch today at the bank’s head office in Accra.
The Managing Director of CalBank, Carl Selasi Asem said the initiative marks not only a milestone in the bank’s corporate journey, but also a moment of reflection on the values that have guided its growth and resilience.
“Our RED Week is actually reflecting on our values,” he said. “We strongly believe that our values are the ones that have propelled us all these years since the inception of the bank.”
Mr Asem explained that RED stands for Responsibility, Effectiveness, and Decisiveness—values which he described as critical to sustaining service excellence, especially in challenging times.
“How responsible are we to all our stakeholders—our customers, both external and internal?” he asked. “In reflecting on those values, our day-to-day job must focus on how effective we can be. And the last is being decisive. That’s what makes the huge difference.”
He acknowledged the bank’s recent challenges over the last three years, but stressed that it was by going back to these values that the institution had maintained its position. “Those responsible traits, how effective we wanted to be, and our decisiveness are what have brought us here,” he noted. “And we strongly believe CalBank will be around 100 years from now, moving even stronger.”
CalBank, he said, is currently focused on expanding services to individuals and SMEs, which are expected to make up about 70% of its revenue base. “We really want to be relevant in the communities where we operate,” Mr Asem stated.
The Managing Director also took the opportunity to emphasise the role of indigenous banks in national development, arguing that local institutions are better equipped to support the economy. “Any country that relies on foreigners to run their banking system puts itself at great risk,” he warned. “When everything comes down, it’s the indigenous banks who stay to help the economy recover.”
The Head of People & Culture, Andy Asiedu, added that RED Week is not simply a symbolic event but a call for staff to embody the bank’s values in their daily operations. “What is success without values? It doesn’t last,” he said. “We are like a team paddling in one direction. If one paddles in the opposite direction, the boat won’t move forward.”
Throughout the week, staff will engage in value-themed activities, each day focusing on one of the RED principles. The programme also includes themed dress codes, interactive team discussions, and culminates in a symbolic walk through the streets of Accra.
Mr Asiedu concluded with a reminder: “Beyond this week, what matters is how we live our values. The bedrock of service is our behaviour. If we get our behaviours right, the business will turn around.”
CalBank, which began operations in 1990, has evolved into a major player in Ghana’s banking sector, with a focus on digital innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth. The bank continues to position itself as a key driver in Ghana’s economic development, rooted firmly in its RED values.