GTB opens new branch in Basse

In its drive to continue extending its modern and quality banking services to other key areas of The Gambia, Guaranty Trust Bank has opened a new 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 organisations in Basse and its surrounding villages.

The new branch 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 to On-Line-Real-Time Banking; it means customers of GT Bank could access their accounts or do any transactions from any of GT Bank’s 14 locations regardless of where the accounts have been opened.

The opening of Basse branch is part of GT bank's ongoing expansion programme aimed at establishing branches in all major towns across Gambia.

In his remarks, the managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Ltd, 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 crannies of The Gambia."  "Empirical evidence has shown that the rural area has immense potential to flourish in business and GT Bank 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", Sanusi added.

According to the bank’s assistant general manager and head of Provincial Business Group, 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.  GT Bank 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 GT Bank 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 GT Bank 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 GT Bank 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 GT Bank 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 brands which are acceptable in more than 29 million locations and over 1 million ATMs in the globe.

Other GT Bank 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.