Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) is the oldest Bank with quality products and reliable services in the country. As a result management has expanded its tentacles of investment to Waterloo in the Western Rural District, as a way of reaching out to the ordinary people who are engaged in various income generating activities in local communities to keep their monies safe in the bank.
At a brief remarkable and memorable ceremony held at the Branch office on the main motor Road in Waterloo. The Chairman and Master of Ceremony Julius Spencer said, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank is the only Government Parastatal that has succeeded in reaching out to the people nation wide.
Waterloo is a growing commercial center and businesses are booming, as a result the people need a safe place to secure their monies and the SLCB is the right place said Julius Spencer. He further remarked that “Bank Pass Bank” urging residents of Waterloo and its surroundings to always Bank with Commercial Bank because it is purely Sierra Leonean.
Sheke Bangura Chairman Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank said, SLCB is a house hold name in Sierra Leone with thirty six years of experience in the Banking system and their presence in all major towns and villages in the country signifies the bank’s commitment and determination to improve the economy by bringing the banking system closer to the people.
He also said that expansion of the Bank to Waterloo did not come as surprise because it is part of the Policies of the Bank to reach out to the door step of every Sierra Leonean and Waterloo being strategically located with a lot of commercial activities like fishing, farming and trade it was clear that a commercial bank is highly needed in the market to deliver quality and reliable products and services.
The Chairman of the Board said the presence of the bank at Waterloo is as a result of the approval by the Bank of Sierra Leone including the District Council Chairman, traditional leaders and the land lord Mrs. Kanu. Mr. Bangura expressed gratitude to the host community for graciously accepting the Bank.
Chrispin Bishop Deigh Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank expressed delight for the opening of the 10th Bank at Waterloo as a way of sharing the hopes and aspirations of the people “I can assure you we are poised to make the difference financially”, he assured emphatically.
He further assured that the Bank will not close down even at difficult circumstances and there will be an easy access to products and services at grass root level and that there will be opportunities for those banking with the bank to get loans with the strong assurance of paying back. He warned that loans given to customers should not be seen as Government money but the people’s money.
“Let me request your cooperation by taking the young branch to higher heights, so that the bank will help to alleviate poverty within the area by keeping their monies safe in the bank.” He appealed.
Tapsiru Denkey of the Bank of Sierra Leone said, Waterloo can now boast of three banks but the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank at Waterloo will provide customers with additional facilities which are part of the bank’s long and medium term strategies to respond to the growing demand for banking services.
Denkey said the Bank of Sierra Leone has given guarantee seals to 13 (thirteen) Commercial Banks and (57) fifty seven branches across the country, because the bank plays a pivotal role in strengthening Agriculture, trade and developmental programs.
He noted that the Bank of Sierra Leone has a mandate to deliver a frame work by regulating all banking procedures in the country to meet international standards adding that review of the act is currently underway to take in to account weaknesses and money laundering cases.
Deputy Speaker House of Parliament who also doubles as the Deputy Chairman of the Ruling All Peoples Congress Party and also a son of the soil Hon. Chukuma Johnson in his key note address said Commercial Bank is the only bank that saved a lot of people during crucial times.
He intimated that there is a need to relax some of the bureaucratic hurdles of the rich for the average man insisting that is a sign of commitment to the progress of the Bank at Waterloo. Just after the pouring of libation and cutting of tape by community elders Hon. Johnson registered as the first customer to open an account at the Bank.
Ivan Jones the Waterloo Branch Manager expressed thanks and appreciation to the management of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and further expressed gratitude to all those who had contributed to the opening of the branch which formed the high point of the ceremony.
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