Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) has announced the appointment of Bernice Asabea Kissi Boateng as Group Head, Personal and Business Banking, in a move that signals a renewed push to strengthen its retail and SME banking footprint.
The decision forms part of the bank’s broader transformation strategy aimed at sharpening its competitive edge within Ghana’s financial services industry.
The appointment highlights UMB’s commitment to building a leadership team capable of driving innovation, deepening customer engagement, and delivering sustainable growth. It also reinforces the bank’s ambition to become a leading relationship-focused institution in the country.
Expanding a critical growth engine
In her new role, Bernice Kissi Boateng will oversee the Commercial, SME, Consumer, and Prominence Banking segments. These divisions represent a key growth engine for the bank, with a mandate to expand market share, strengthen customer relationships, and deliver tailored financial solutions across diverse client segments.
Her leadership is expected to bring renewed momentum to UMB’s retail banking operations, particularly at a time when competition in Ghana’s banking sector continues to intensify. With customers demanding more personalized and technology-driven services, the bank is positioning itself to respond with agility and innovation.
The focus on SME and consumer banking also reflects a broader industry trend where financial institutions are seeking to unlock value from underserved segments while maintaining strong risk management practices.
Proven track record in banking excellence
Bernice Kissi Boateng brings over two decades of experience spanning corporate, commercial, and investment banking. Her career has been defined by strong execution, disciplined growth, and the ability to manage complex financial transactions across multiple sectors.
Before joining UMB, she held senior leadership roles at Access Bank Ghana, where she served as Sector Head, Corporate Banking, and Head of Financial Institutions within the Investment Banking division. In these roles, she played a key part in business expansion and transaction origination, contributing significantly to the bank’s growth strategy.
Her earlier experience includes roles at GCB Bank, Bank of Baroda Ghana, and Intercontinental Bank Ghana. These positions helped her build a strong foundation in operations, treasury management, and customer service, shaping her results-oriented leadership style.
Strong academic and professional foundation
An alumna of St. Rose’s Senior High School in Akwatia, Bernice holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Commonwealth Executive MBA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Her academic credentials are complemented by extensive professional training in credit management, financial strategy, and leadership.
This combination of academic excellence and practical experience positions her well to navigate the complexities of modern banking while driving innovation and operational efficiency.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director of UMB, Philip Oti-Mensah, emphasized the strategic importance of the move.
“This appointment reflects our clear intent to build a bank defined by exceptional talent, strong execution, and unmatched customer focus. Bernice brings the leadership depth, commercial acumen, and strategic clarity required to accelerate growth across our Personal and Business Banking franchise.”
Philip Oti-Mensah
He further noted saying, “As we intensify our transformation journey, we are assembling a leadership team capable of redefining industry standards and delivering a truly differentiated banking experience.”
These remarks underline UMB’s focus on people and performance as key pillars of its long-term strategy.
Positioning for competitive advantage
The appointment of Bernice Kissi Boateng is part of a broader series of strategic hires aimed at strengthening UMB’s competitive advantage. By attracting top-tier talent, the bank is enhancing its capacity to innovate, improve service delivery, and unlock new growth opportunities.
In an increasingly dynamic financial landscape, banks are under pressure to adapt quickly to changing customer expectations and regulatory requirements. UMB’s approach signals a proactive effort to stay ahead of these changes by investing in leadership and capability development.
The emphasis on customer-centric innovation is also expected to play a crucial role in shaping the bank’s future. By leveraging expertise across its leadership team, UMB aims to deliver solutions that are both relevant and impactful.
With a renewed focus on talent, strategy, and execution, UMB is positioning itself as a formidable player within Ghana’s banking industry. The appointment of Bernice Kissi Boateng adds significant depth to its leadership team and reinforces its ambition to become a preferred banking partner for individuals and businesses alike.
As the bank continues its transformation journey, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these strategic moves translate into measurable growth and improved customer experiences
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