The Avenor Rural Bank Plc in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region has made over 200 percent profit before tax in the 2022 financial year.

According to the bank, it made a profit before tax of GHC854,147 in 2022 as compared to GHC266,927 the previous year. This, it said, represents a 219.99 per cent growth in the bank’s profit before tax within the year under review.

Mr Thomas Clarkson Adade, the Board Chairman, made this known at the bank’s 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Akatsi.

Mr Thomas Clarkson Adade explained that the significant growth could be largely attributed to an increase in loans and advances granted to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to boost business in their catchment area.

Mr Adade averred that the rise in profit is as a result of result of corresponding growths in total income, gross advances, and total deposits, which also impacted positively on the bank’s assets for the period.

Among other indicators, the banks’ total deposit as of December, last year, was GHC19,307,247, compared to GHC16,442,280 in 2021, which also represents an increment of 17.42 per cent. “This is as a result of various mobilisation mechanisms that were adopted by the bank,” Mr Adade said.

Despite the Bank of Ghana’s regulatory directives to all rural and community banks not to pay dividends this year due to the current economic challenges and the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, Mr Adade noted that the Board, however, sought approval based on their good performance.

“We are happy to recommend a dividend of GHC0.0060 per share amounting to a total of GHC95,961 for the year ended 2022,”Mr Adade said.

Rise in Total Income

An audited financial report for 2022, which was also presented to shareholders during the meeting, showed a rise in total income from GHC3,202,770 in 2021 to GHC4,773,011 in 2022, representing 49.03 per cent.

However, the bank also witnessed a 6.52 per cent negative investment growth from GHC10.003,217 in 2021 to GHC9,351,293 in 2022.

Mr Adade explained that the decline was due to the volatility and uncertainties associated with government securities. “This necessitated the conversion of some investments into loans and advances to minimise the risk of loss of income and investments,” he said.

Mr Adade, moreover, stated that the year looked very promising where shareholders must invest more in the shares of the bank for good return on their investments.

Several achievements and plans, including the need to construct a standard head office, donations as part of their corporate social responsibility, the election of directors, and others were discussed during the AGM.

Gross advances, which were GHC5,582,197 in 2021, also rose by 75.64 per cent to end the year under review at GH¢9,804,526.

The Avenor Rural Bank Ltd was incorporated on 11th May, 1981 and issued with banking licence on 15th May 1985 under the banking act 2004, (ACT 673). Strategically sited, we bring banking services to the door-steps of the people in the catchment area.

The main aim of the bank Is to contribute to efforts at raising their standard of living. This aim, the bank continues to focus on by always facilitating the creation of opportunities for the growth of small business enterprises through our various innovative products and services. The bank is headquartered in Akatsi on the Accra-Aflao road in the Volta Region in Ghana and has seven (7) branches.