NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — Access Bank Rwanda, part of the Pan African banking group Access Bank Plc over the weekend opened a new branch in Ruhengeri town as part of its countrywide expansion programme. Access Bank Plc made its entry into Rwanda through an equity uptake of 75% stake in Bancor S.A last year. The remaining 25 percent of its shares are still owned by private investors both in Rwanda and South Africa. The Managing Director, Access Bank Rwanda, Jean Claude Kalayenzi, said the branch will offer innovative services including e-Banking which will help customers to access their bank accounts on mobile phones and the internet. He added that tourists will be able to use credit cards for cash advances. “Our vision as a bank is to go beyond the ordinary, to deliver the perceived impossible in the quest for excellence and transform the bank into a world class financial service provider,” he said. Kalayenzi also added that the bank would offer large and small loans to farmers and cooperatives with well formulated project plans. The third upcountry branch, in Ruhengeri, comes as an addition to two other branches which the bank set up in Rubavu and Rugarama. Kalayenzi further added that the financial institution has also contributed to the capacity building of its staff where fifteen officers were last year sent to the Access Bank School of Banking Excellence. Ends
