UT Bank has received an additional 15 million dollars from the IFC and the Africa Capitalization Fund, AFC. This brings the IFC's total investment in the bank to 30 million dollars. This follows last week’s 15 million dollar equity investment which resulted in the IFC and the AFC having a combined shareholding of approximately 22%. The new 15 million capital comprises a 5 million dollar Senior Loan and a 10 million dollar Trade Finance Guarantee Facility to the bank. The 5 Year Senior Loan is to help the bank increase its support for SMEs whilst the Trade Finance Guarantee Facility is to enable UT Bank finance cross border trade transactions of local SMEs. UT Bank is however rejecting claims that continuous investment by the IFC has diluted the bank’s indigenous ownership. CEO of UT Bank Prince Kofi Amoabeng tells Joy Business the capital injection should rather strengthen the bank in its operations. “It depends on whether you want to enjoy today or long term. So i think it’s up to us shareholders to appreciate what IFC’s participation means to us. It means a lot more than just the money they put in. The monies will enable us to give more loans and reach more SME’s and give opportunities for people to realize their talents and opportunities” he noted. Thierry Tanoh, IFC VP for Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Western Europe, said, "Access to finance for entrepreneurs and smaller businesses is critical to the long-term strength of economies across Africa. Strengthening this partnership in Ghana is another step toward ensuring smaller businesses can realize their growth plans, hire more people, and have a bigger impact on the economy."