PRESS RELEASE

03^rd March, 2010

Guaranty Trust Bank Opens in Basse

· Now has 14 branches, the largest network in The Gambia!!

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In its drive to continue to extend its modern and quality banking services to other key areas of The Gambia, Guaranty Trust Bank has opened a branch in Basse, Upper River Region. The ultra modern branch which is located directly opposite the Basse Market, (next to The Basse Catholic Church) would provide tailor-made solutions to the banking needs of the business community, residents and workers, non governmental organizations etc in Basse and its surrounding villages.

This new edifice has brought the bank’s total branch network to 14, the largest so far in the history of banking in The Gambia. The groundbreaking record has been achieved in just seven years of professional and high standard services the bank offers its esteemed customers. The current 14 branches are spread strategically around the business and residential areas of The Gambia, in line with the bank’s quest to bring banking nearer to the people.

The branches are Kairaba, Banjul, Serekunda, Senegambia, Brikama, Bamboo, Kanifing, Latrikunda Sabiji, Brusubi, Bundung, Farafenni, Old Jeshwang, Banjul II and now Basse. All branches are connected On-Line-Real-Time Banking, it means customers of GTBank could access their accounts or do any transactions from any of GTBank’s 14 locations regardless of where the accounts has been opened.

The opening of Basse is part of GTbank’s ongoing expansion program aimed at establishing branches in all major towns across Gambia.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Ltd, Mr. Lekan Sanusi said “the opening of Basse branch is part of the bank’s policy to extend its quality services to all the nooks and corners of The Gambia.” “Empirical evidence have shown that the rural area has immense potential to flourish in business and GTBank would continue to take leadership in providing the much needed banking services to fill the gap. Our mission is to be a national bank and to expand services to non-traditional market segments and that’s why we are in Basse”, Mr. Sanusi added.

According to the bank’s Assistant General Manager and Head of Provincial Business Group, Mr. Pa Alieu Ndow “the branch is staffed with well trained personnel who will be knocking on the doors of individuals and business outlets in Basse and its environs.”

Over the years, the bank has championed the introduction of innovative e-products such as Telephone banking, Internet banking, and Slip-free banking. GTBank is also a Direct Agent of Western Union and provides the platform for its customers as well as non-customers to send or receive money through its wide branch network to/from any part of the world. There is also “GTB Joni Joni Cash” which is a local money transfer service that enables customers and non-customers to send or receive money at GTBank branches instantly in The Gambia. The good news is that citizens of Basse and surrounding villages residing in the Greater Banjul can send money to their relatives via GTBank Joni Joni Cash at cheaper rates.

Guaranty Trust Bank is also the first and currently the only approved Gambian Bank “Principal Member of Visa International” and licenced “Visa Merchant Acquirer”. The Merchant Acquirer status enables GTBank to sign up merchants (hotels, airlines, restaurants, tour operators, car rental companies) and deploy Point of Sales (POS) terminals to their business locations where visa cards can be swiped to effect payments for services or do cash back transactions.

Principal Visa membership grants the right to GTBank to issue Visa Cards under its own name and brand as well as provide ATM platforms that accept Visa Cards issued any where in the world. Visa operates the world's largest electronic payments network and is one of the most recognized global financial service brand which is acceptable in more than 29 million locations and over 1 million ATMs in the globe.

Other GTBank products and services include GT Orange savings Account, Smart Kids Save, (a product designed to nurture the savings habit among children), GTB Bankers Acceptance, and Max Advance (a salary based credit facility). The bank has also installed four ATM machines at its Kairaba Avenue Head Office, Senegambia branch, Serekunda branch and Africell Building along Kairaba Avenue and has introduced Point Of Sales Terminal (POS) in some key merchant locations.

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