Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive has appealed to Managements of rural banks and the judiciary to ensure speedy trial of staff engaged in malpractices to boost public confidence in operations of rural banks. He noted that the delay in such trials affected customers and shareholders to purchase more shares to increase the capital base of the banks. Mr Ayensu made the appeal when addressing the opening session of the 19th annual general meeting of shareholders of Fiaseman Rural Bank at Bogoso. He commended management of the bank for working hard to eliminate corruption and other malpractices in its operations, but expressed concern about the delay in dealing some staff of Atieku agency suspected of some embezzlement. Mr Ayensu called on the management to increase lending to customers in the agricultural sector to enhance their operations. Nana Edu Amanfo VI, Chairman of Board of Directors of the bank in his report, said total assets of the bank increased from about GH¢2,560,000 (25.6 billion cedis) in 2005 to more than GH¢3,680,000 (36.8 billion cedis) or 43.5 per cent during the period under review. He said management would repackage and introduce new innovative products and services to meet "intense competition" in the banking industry. Nana Amanfo appealed to beneficiaries of loans to repay them and advised shareholders to increase their shares to strengthen the bank's capital base. Mr Emmanuel Kwapong, Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank in a speech read on his behalf commended management of the bank for its performance over the past years. He said products like "Apex Link" and "Home Cash" were being introduced to enhance operations of rural banks to meet the growing competition in the banking sector. Mr Kwapong advised managements and boards of rural banks to strategically explore different ways to generate commission-based incomes to grow and sustain its operations. He observed that some members of management and directors of rural and community banks lacked the requisite competence and experience to meet challenges in the sector. Mr Kwapong announced computer-training programme for staff of community and rural banks and about 4,700 workers have been earmarked for the training at Sunyani, Takoradi and Kumasi. Source: GNA