By Amin Kef Sesay
A High Court verdict on a matter dating back to 2014 regarding monies paid to the surviving relatives of a deceased customer has been wrongly presented by a certain local tabloid as “fraud”. The Newspaper rather mischievously went ahead to impute that a criminal deed occurred at the Bank when in fact the issue at hand had to do with payments to a beneficiary in 2014,an action based upon a Letter of Administration from the courts.
A Press Release from the Bank’s Management has also laid bare the truth and described the said publication as “frivolous,” “fictitious” and one that was aimed at denting the soaring business reputation of the bank. The release also assured its customers that there were no issues of fraud in the bank and that all deposits are safe. This medium has also learnt that the said disbursement was done following approval (Letters of Administration) from the High Court and recommendation by the bank’s legal representative at the time.
Since the advent of the New Direction Government and the new Management team at the Bank, the Rokel Commercial Bank had undergone phenomenal transformation that has repositioned it as one of the most profitable and fastest growing financial institutions in Sierra Leone and possibly the sub-region.
An ambitious expansion drive to Kailahun, Bonthe, FBC, Kabala, Wilberforce etc plus the revolutionary Rokel Simkorpor Plus mobile banking has unwittingly made the bank a bonafide champion of financial inclusion in Sierra Leone.
A top notch banking operations software with enhanced corporate banking has put Rokel on a true competitive edge and a very willing disciple for modern day banking. In the midst of a public health emergency, when financial institutions around the world are crumbling, the Bank’s management has been remarkable in managing its affairs. The software has assisted in delivering social safety net payments across the country, thereby helping in delivering much needed social sector support nationwide.
As it keeps recording exponential growth with bigger profit margins every year, the Bank has been the subject of numerous local and international accolades – with the most recent being the Best Bank Governance award by the internationally acclaimed and prestigious UK based Capital Finance International magazine. In addition, the Bank continues to be instrumental in promoting financial literacy and inclusion in the country.
It is a pity that despite such significant progress by Sierra Leoneans, a Newspaper can make such potentially damaging and misleading statements against a local effort.
