GCB empowers MSE customers

GCB Bank PLC has launched its Customer Experience campaign dubbed “Go Beyond.” 

The campaign aims to inspire staff to deliver delightful experiences that exceed customers’ expectations at all touchpoints.

The launch on Friday, September 27, 2024 was graced by the Managing Director, Kofi Adomakoh, the Executive and Management Committee members, and staff, some of whom participated virtually.

The much-anticipated launch set the tone for the transformative journey towards an enhanced customer experience.

As part of activities earmarked for the customer experience campaign, the bank organised a workshop last Wednesday to empower customers in the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) segment of its Retail Banking Department.

The workshop was designed to help MSEs improve their business skills and to give business owners the information and resources needed to thrive in a competitive market.

The programme began with a health screening session where participants were screened for blood pressure, blood sugar, as well as breast examination, among others; reflecting the bank’s commitment to promoting public health alongside business growth.

Medical professionals were present to conduct the screening and also to educate participants on the importance of early detection of the various conditions.

This was in alignment with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Bookkeeping

A key highlight of the day was the training programme which covered various aspects of business management, finance, and technology.

A session on Book and Record Keeping was led by Francis Opoku Mensah of Enterprise Impact Growth, who emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate financial records for effective business decision-making and growth tracking.

The Lead, Trade Services of the GCB International Trade Unit, Michael Edem Adotey, made a presentation on the intricacies of International Trade and the benefits of GCB Bank as a financial partner.

He guided the MSEs on the necessary procedures and documentation required for cross-border transactions.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Head of Retail at GCB Bank, Sina Kamagate, highlighted the bank's dedication to fostering the expansion of small businesses.

He also reiterated the bank’s unwavering dedication to its mandate of supporting the growth of local businesses, especially in overcoming a key challenge of limited access to finance.

“At GCB, our solutions are targeted at addressing the fundamental challenges of the MSME (Medium, Small and Micro Enterprise) sector and to help grow businesses in Ghana,” he added.

Mr Kamagate also used the opportunity to officially launch GCB Bank’s VAP (Value Added Package) insurance initiative.

“GCB is supporting its customers and Ghana’s MSMEs through the Value Added Package (VAP) which we are going to launch today. Under the VAP, we have paid the premiums for insurance cover for our qualifying customers based on agreed terms and conditions to support their businesses in times of emergency,” he said.

During the training session, Mr Opoku took participants through steps on how businesses can become bankable, highlighting the importance of building a credible financial history and developing sound business plans to access funding opportunities.

He provided strategies for MSEs to become attractive clients for financial institutions. Additionally, the Head of the GCB Bank MSE Unit, Cedric McAddy, made a presentation on GCB Products, introducing participants to various banking solutions tailored for small businesses.

This was followed by a session on Investment Solutions by the Products, Channels and Customer Service Manager, GCB Capital, George Opoku Agyeman, who focused on investment opportunities available for small businesses to grow their capital and secure their financial future.

As part of the day’s programme, KPMG conducted a session on Technology for Trading, highlighting the importance of integrating technology into business operations for efficiency and market expansion.

The session featured digital tools and platforms that MSEs could leverage to streamline their processes and enhance customer engagement.

The workshop was a resounding success, providing MSMEs with the skills, resources and connections needed to grow sustainably.

Through this, GCB Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering small businesses, ensuring they have access to the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in a competitive economy.