Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited has opened a new ultra-modern smart branch at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at Harper Road in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The Harper Road Branch, the oldest branch (116 years) in Kumasi has been retrofitted into a digital and highly efficient branch.

This is part of the bank’s ongoing investment in digital infrastructure while aligning with the focus on rapidly expanding cities across its global footprint.

The ultra-modern smart branches are a combination of both traditional and digital banking services, offering a full suite of banking products including wealth, investment management and insurance solutions.

The branches also offer self-service digital platforms, offering convenience to our clients who are increasingly tech-savvy.

The convenience with which business is transacted is in line with the Bank’s agenda to deliver world class banking services to the general public.

CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited, Mansa Nettey says, “Standard Chartered is committed to harnessing technology to deliver more convenience to clients. The aim is for our clients to be able to make fast, safe and secure payments through mobile devices and online.”

Head of Retail Banking Ghana and West Africa Standard Chartered Bank, Henry Baye, added that “the opening of this branch is another step in bringing world-class banking and digital services to our clients; this smart branch combines traditional banking with digital banking services to cater for all our clients”.

Regional Manager for Bank of Ghana, Micheal Anyamesem, observes that the challenge of many institutions is leveraging on technology to remain competitive and enhance stakeholder value.

“Current innovations such as online and mobile banking and social media has proven a new avenue to cyber attacks. We hope that the bank will put in security measures to minimize such attacks on the bank”

He indicates that there is the need to monitor the cyber space and pay attention to the menace of cyber security. 

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana has released an exposure draft on the cyber and information security directive for the industry.

The expectation is that this directive will further complement the bank and ADI Act to further enhance the safety and soundness of the bank in the area of cyber digital space.

“We are ready to support banks who embrace the new culture of banking,” said Mr Anyamesem.

Standard Chartered has implemented standardised digital platforms to meet client needs at the right scale.

The bank continues to invest in the improvement of client experience through an enhanced end-to-end digital offering, with straight through platforms and best-in-class digital products and services.

This brings Standard Chartered cutting-edge digital channels to one million clients in Africa.

Present at the ceremony were clients of other banks, traditional authorities from Kumasi, representation from Bank of Ghana and the KNUST.

Whilst in Kumasi, senior staff members of the bank also engaged in activities like mentoring some KNUST students, a financial education for entrepreneurs, a session with apprentice hairdressers and dressmakers in Bantama teaching them about budgeting and managing their cash flow.