Finance Trust Bank (FTB) on Friday 16th December, 2022 opened their new Head Office in style as they marked their 38th anniversary in Kampala.
The bank, which servers over 500,000 customers country wide unveiled unveiled their Head Office at TWED Plaza, Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero – Kampala at a ceremony that had their board members, senior management, staff, invited guests and the media.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Tumubweinee Twinemanzi, the Executive Director of Supervision at the Bank of Uganda.
Founded in 1984 as Uganda Women’s Finance Trust Limited, the Bank’s objective was to provide financial services to low income people in Uganda, especially women. It has since opened doors to everyone but even up to now, sixty percent (60%) of the bank’s customers are women.
On 11 November 2013, Bank of Uganda (BoU) granted the bank a full commercial banking license and they rebranded to their current name – Finance Trust Bank (FTB).
Finance Trust Bank (FTB) has a large branch network of 35 branches (including Kalangala) serving over 500,000 customers countrywide. The bank currently serves over 500,000 savers and 29,000 borrowers. Their core client are in the lower pyramid of the economic strata and inclined to serving women who are emerging rural entrepreneurs and enterprising urbanites as individuals or saving groups.
Ms. Annet Nakawunde, the bank managing director said that the unveiling of a corporate branch is a strategic move to reposition the bank for its next phase of growth.
“The decision to relocate our head offices is right because what you used be a microfinance customers have since grown to be corporates and they now deserve the service of being corporates,” Ms. Nakawunde said, noting that, the previous location had turned inaccessible for the regulator, customers, and bank shareholders.
The MD further revealed that FTB’s goal is to be the bank of choice while efficiently delivering a range of highly competitive financial services to their customers especially women.
“We have moved, but are still with You! We shall continue to serve you as before and even better with this new Head Office” The MD said, when we prompted her to comment on their change of head offices and what it means to the customers.
FTB has a broad range of financial solutions that they’re currently offering their customers. These include; Loans & deposit accounts, money transfer services, utility bills collection & insurance services to small and medium-income people, companies, SMEs, institutions, & net-worth individuals.
Dr. Twinemanzi said the change in the location was a bold move and commended the bank for taking advantage of the enabling environment and reforms created by the central bank to become one of the best commercial banks.
“I want to commend the management and the board for taking this institution from where you did to where it is today. It’s a demonstration of a certain level of fortitude that is rarely seen these days,” Dr. Twinemanzi said. But he warned that the bigger journey is ahead.