BANK MERGERS YIELD DIVIDENDS

The Access-Intercontinental Bank merger is already yielding dividends to customers of both banks. As part of the integration process, Access Bank has waived the 70 pesewas ATM usage fee for all combined card holders. Customers of both banks can now also deposit money at a wider branch-network of 33 as a result of the merger.

The Head of Corporate Affairs for Access Bank Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu explains that the two initiatives which take immediate effect are the first dividends of the customer-focused approach of the combined banks.

Also, Ecobank Ghana, one of the leading banks in the country has taken over The Trust Bank (TTB). Representatives from both banks are reported to have already signed the agreements necessary to complete the process. Sources close to the bank say it is left with the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission to append their signature, which according to sources, is merely a formality.

News from neighbouring Nigeria state that after the merger between Ecobank Nigeria and Oceanic Bank, over a 1,000 employees are to be sacked. This raises concerns about the welfare of the current staff of The Trust Bank in Ghana. Will they suffer the same fate? Will there be branch closures and the squeeze of credit to the small and medium scale enterprises? Mr. Samuel Ashittey Adjei, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana assured customers and staff of TTB that there would be no job losses except for staff who had engaged in some financial malpractice.

He said Ecobank hoped to leverage on TTB’s SME banking operations and create a bigger and more competitive industry with a vibrant small enterprise sector.

What more should customers expect?

NOKIA AND JA BUILD ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERSHIP

World’s leading manufacturer of mobile phones, Nokia, in partnership with global Not-for-profit organisation, Junior Achievement (JA)is to deliver cross-border entrepreneurship program with students in senior high schools. Known as the Enterprise without Borders (EwB), the initiative is aimed at giving students running mini-companies the opportunity to create international partnerships as part of their JA-YE experience. Through a website – Enterprise without Borders (EwB) portal, teachers and schools register for participation and students upload their company profiles and enter an entrepreneurial ‘dating game’.  The EwB portal presents the activities of the registered students’ mini-companies operating in different countries. On the portal participating students and schools can familiarize themselves with other colleague’s products and services. Students and schools can also search for partners to communicate and trade with.

The portal operates as a web-shop. The products and services of the companies registered on the portal can all be viewed there by students and schools. The registered companies are also able to create product and service catalogues, and also present the company, its activities and members on a separate page.

 Through Nokia’s support for the project, 200 students graduated in 2010 while another 300 students graduated in 2011 from 10 schools drawn across three regions (Central, Greater Accra and Volta) of Ghana. For this year, the participating schools have also begun possible joint-venture negotiations with their counterparts in Europe and the United States.

2011 C- class FACELIFT

The Mercedes Benz C -class has received a thorough redesign.

The objective is to further enhance the high level of perceived quality.

The dynamic, masculine appearance of the C -class is given a more sporty character without compromising any of its elegance and style, with newly designed body components which give the front and rear sections further stylistic development.

New bonnet contours, dynamically shaped headlamps and a muscular front bumper are key features of the redesigned front end with the rear end design emphasizing width and power, all thanks to a rear bumper and spoiler lip shaped to reinforce these impressions.

10 driver assistance systems; technologies for safe driving and the right response in the event of danger or an accident, are some of the features of the face-lifted C -class. Prominent among these are ATTENTION ASSIST, which warns a drowsy or inattentive driver, and the Lane Tracking Package, which alerts a driver when he leaves his lane unintentionally or when there is an impending collision with a vehicle.

 “The Mercedes-Benz technological leadership is clearly marked in the C -class face-lift. The model offers a wide range of diesel and petrol engines that are environmentally friendly, powerful and economical. Except for the C 63 AMG, all engines run on the BlueEFFICEINCY drive concept; an engine management system that delivers lower fuel consumption and Co2 emissions, yet driving dynamics superior to the predecessor model.

The story of the C -class is a long success story. With the comprehensive measures introduced in the 2011 face-lift version, the C- Class sets new standards in its segment and will occupy a leading position among the competition in the coming years”.

 This is your invitation to test drive. The C -class facelift is available at the Mercedes-Benz showroom on the ground floor of the Silver Star Tower.