News Guide Africa

Tag: GCB Bank PLC

  • GCB Bank dismisses Labone robbery rumors, assures public of safety

    GCB Bank dismisses Labone robbery rumors, assures public of safety

    By News Desk

     

    Management of GCB Bank PLC has debunked reports circulating about an alleged attempted robbery at its Labone branch, reassuring the public and its customers that its operations remain secure and completely unaffected.

    The official statement follows viral reports concerning an attempted robbery incident in the broader Labone vicinity, which erroneously linked the financial institution to the event.

    In a press release issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Corporate Affairs Department of GCB Bank clarified that neither its facility nor its personnel were involved in or compromised by the reported incident.

    “GCB Bank wishes to clarify that no robbery or attempted robbery took place at our Labone Branch or on the Bank’s premises,” the bank stated. “At no point was the branch breached, and no customer, member of staff, funds or property of the Bank was affected.”

     

    Operations Continue Unhindered

    Addressing the anxiety created by the rumors, the banking institution encouraged clients to go about their normal business without fear, emphasizing that normal banking activities have not been disrupted.

    “The Labone Branch remains secure, and customers can continue to conduct their banking transactions with confidence,” the statement noted.

     

    Robust Security and Collaboration

    Reiterating its focus on asset protection and personnel welfare, the bank highlighted its ongoing commitment to maintaining high-level security standards across all branch networks in the country.

    “GCB Bank takes the safety and security of its customers, employees and facilities very seriously and continues to maintain robust security measures across its network,” the statement read.

     

    The financial institution added that it is actively collaborating with law enforcement officials to stay updated on security developments in the area.

    “We remain in contact with the relevant authorities and will continue to monitor developments regarding the incident,” Corporate Affairs assured. “We wish to reassure all our customers and stakeholders that GCB Bank remains safe, secure and fully committed to serving them.”

     

  • GCB Turnaround: Inside Farihan Alhassan’s high-growth, low-risk strategy

    GCB Turnaround: Inside Farihan Alhassan’s high-growth, low-risk strategy

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed, Financial and Economic Journalist

     

    Farihan Alhassan, the 44-year-old Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, is no stranger to shattering age barriers. To him, youthfulness and weighty responsibility are a familiar combination. At just 26, Alhassan made history as the youngest regional manager at Barclays Bank (now Absa).

    But his personal milestones are not what has the financial world talking. The real story is how the bank he leads recently captured national headlines, staging an unprecedented financial comeback that has redefined Ghana’s banking landscape.

    In 2025, GCB Bank shattered performance records, posting an unprecedented profit before tax of GHS 3.17 billion and a staggering net profit of GHS 2.06 billion.

    This explosive growth triggered a massive rally on the Ghana Stock Exchange. In January 2025, GCB’s share price sat at a modest GHS 6.2. By December 2025, it had skyrocketed to GHS 22.5 per share. That momentum has only accelerated; at the time of going to press, GCB’s share price commands a historic GHS 36.

     

    GCB Bank Performance Indicators at a Glance

    Financial Metric 2024 / Early 2025 Late 2025 / Current (2026) Growth / Change

    Total Assets Baseline GHS 42.8 Billion +57.6% YoY

    Total Deposits Baseline GHS 34.5 Billion +58.5% YoY

    Loan Book Expansion Baseline — +52.8%

    Share Price GHS 6.2 (Jan 2025) GHS 36.0 (Current) +480.6%

    Non-Performing Loans (NPL) 15% 4.9% (Q1 2026) Down 10.1%

     

    High Volume, Low Risk

    For Alhassan, however, the ultimate victory lies not just in raw profitability, but in surgical operational efficiency. GCB has drastically elevated its underwriting standards. The bank is now aggressively extending more loans than any of its competitors, yet fewer of those loans are going bad.

    According to financial statements, GCB’s total assets surged by 57.6% year-on-year to GHS 42.8 billion far outstripping the banking industry’s average growth rate of 33.79%. This expansion was fueled by a 52.8% growth in its loan book and a 58.5% increase in total deposits, which now stand at GHS 34.5 billion.

    The Secret Sauce: A Bottom-Up Revolution

    So, what is GCB Bank doing differently? Alhassan attributes the magic trick to a radical shift in corporate culture: a strict bottom-up approach.

    “Everything is about the staff,” Alhassan emphasizes. Under his leadership, employees have been empowered to see themselves as direct architects of the bank’s strategy. In this new cultural paradigm, the bank’s failures are felt personally, and its successes are celebrated collectively.

     

    But Alhassan’s strategy wasn’t built on motivational speeches alone. The bank backed its vision with tangible rewards, effectively lubricating the “rusty parts” of its workforce’s professional lives. GCB rolled out sweeping salary increases, with some categories of workers seeing their take-home pay completely doubled.

    No Flash in the Pan

    Critics wondering if GCB’s 2025 performance was a temporary stroke of luck have already been answered by the bank’s dominant opening acts in 2026.

    In the first quarter of 2026, GCB recorded a profit before income tax of GHS 902.5 million, a massive leap from the GHS 533.1 million recorded during the same period last year. Simultaneously, the bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio plummeted to an astonishing 4.9%, down from 14.9% in the previous year.

    Backed by a highly supportive board of directors led by Professor Joshua Alabi—whose imposing physical presence is matched only by his towering legacy at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)—Alhassan remains fiercely confident.

    If the current trajectory is any indication, GCB Bank PLC has no intention of ceding its crown as the undisputed leader of Ghana’s banking industry.

     

  • GCB Bank joins strategic initiative to overhaul Africa’s cross-border payment architecture

    GCB Bank joins strategic initiative to overhaul Africa’s cross-border payment architecture

    In a major move toward deepening regional trade integration and reducing dependency on third-party foreign currencies, Ghana’s indigenous financial heavyweight, GCB Bank PLC, has formally joined a strategic continental coalition to strengthen Africa’s cross-border payment landscape.

    The partnership is centered on scaling the deployment of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). The platform allows African businesses to settle cross-border commercial transactions instantly using their respective local currencies, bypassing the costly and time-consuming multi-currency clearing routes that have historically hampered intra-continental trade.

    Dismantling the financial barriers to intra-African trade

    For decades, an enterprise in Accra looking to import raw materials or finished inventory from a supplier in Nairobi or Cairo had to convert Ghanaian cedis into US dollars or euros first. This multi-layered process often required international correspondent banks to clear the transactions, adding steep foreign exchange conversion fees and dragging out settlement timelines for days.

    By integrating GCB Bank’s expansive domestic network with PAPSS, corporate entities, small-scale traders, and cross-border merchants can now execute direct cedi-to-shilling or cedi-to-pound transfers instantaneously.

    Speaking on the strategic importance of the rollout, a senior executive director of corporate banking at GCB Bank PLC emphasized that the initiative directly supports the operational goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    “Our integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System marks a defining moment for GCB Bank and our trading clientele,” the executive stated. “Africa cannot achieve genuine economic integration if our payment systems remain siloed and dependent on external currencies. By allowing a Ghanaian merchant to buy goods across borders using the cedi, while the recipient receives payment in their local currency, we are removing friction, lowering transactional overheads, and directly boosting the competitiveness of made-in-Africa goods.”

    Relieving pressure on national foreign exchange pools

    Beyond simplifying individual merchant transactions, macroeconomists point out that widespread adoption of localized settlement architectures will provide much-needed defensive support to African central bank reserves. By eliminating the necessity of the US dollar for intra-continental trade, states can preserve their hard currency reserves for essential global debt obligations and critical industrial imports.

    Addressing a regional trade finance forum, a financial analyst specializing in West African banking systems observed that GCB Bank’s massive market share makes it an ideal driver for this monetary transition.

    “When a tier-one financial institution like GCB Bank puts its weight behind a system like PAPSS, it creates a massive network effect,” the analyst explained. “This is not just about convenience for shipping companies; it is a vital structural tool to ease the constant, cyclical pressure on our national foreign exchange markets. The less we rely on third-party currencies to trade amongst ourselves as Africans, the more stable our domestic currencies will become over the long term.”

    Trading communities applaud the lower cost of commerce

    The rollout has been warmly welcomed by local industrial unions and cross-border trading groups, who have long complained about volatile exchange rates eating into their slim profit margins. Importers note that removing intermediary clearing channels will significantly lower the cost of doing business within the sub-region.

    “We highly commend GCB Bank for stepping into this continental payment framework,” a representative from the national cross-border traders association remarked. “Our members have suffered heavily from sudden currency devaluations while waiting days for international bank transfers to clear. Instant, local-currency settlement means our capital works faster, our supply chains stay moving, and we can buy directly from our neighbors without losing money to foreign exchange middlemen.”

    With GCB Bank currently initiating customer onboarding phases and rolling out dedicated digital interfaces across its branches, trade ministry officials express optimism that this synchronized push will rapidly accelerate Ghana’s position as a core logistics hub within the expanding pan-African free trade market.

     

     

     

     

     

  • GCB finances major heavy-duty equipment fleet for local contractor …to accelerate national infrastructure projects

    GCB finances major heavy-duty equipment fleet for local contractor …to accelerate national infrastructure projects

    GCB Bank PLC, Ghana’s premier indigenous banking institution, has finalized a major asset-financing transaction, purchasing and handing over a massive fleet of more than 200 heavy-duty construction machines and logistics vehicles to Timeline and Innovations Company Limited.

    The intervention is engineered to dramatically boost the capacity of local contractors to execute large-scale national road and engineering projects under the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure initiative.

    The high-capacity fleet, comprising state-of-the-art tipper trucks, excavators, bulldozers, graders, water tankers, flatbeds, and specialized steel and tire rollers, was secured through partnerships with major machinery dealers, including SMT Ghana, Zonda, and Sino Tec Machinery Ghana (SMG). The official commissioning ceremony, held in Accra, brought together senior state policymakers, transport engineers, and banking executives to witness a milestone deployment for indigenous public-private cooperation.

    Driving the GH¢13.9 billion infrastructure vision

    The “Big Push” initiative, backed heavily by strategic national allocations, targets the aggressive transformation of Ghana’s arterial road networks, rural corridors, and urban transit systems to unlock domestic economic growth. By providing direct asset-backed capital, GCB Bank is establishing itself as the primary financial driver of this state development vision.

    Addressing attendees at the handover ceremony, the Board Chairman of GCB Bank PLC, Professor Joshua Alabi, noted that the bank’s decision to commit massive resources to the transaction is rooted in an unshakeable belief in the technical capabilities of local engineering firms.

    “GCB Bank supported Timeline and Innovations because we believe Ghanaian contractors can successfully execute major national projects when they receive adequate financial backing,” Prof. Alabi stated. “Currently, GCB Bank is actively supporting over 60 percent of all contractors engaged under the government’s Big Push programme. This demonstrates that GCB Bank is actively contributing to Ghana’s future. This partnership demonstrates how targeted financing can create lasting economic impact through local enterprise growth.”

    Moving beyond traditional financing

    The capital commitment forms part of a broader infrastructure portfolio managed by the bank. Financial executives note that backing local equipment ownership allows construction firms to slash project delivery timelines, improve environmental safety standards, and completely bypass the prohibitive costs associated with leasing third-party machinery.

    The Managing Director of GCB Bank, Farihan Alhassan, characterized the transaction as an investment in the foundational fabric of the national economy.

    “This transaction is a clear demonstration of the bank’s commitment to Ghana’s development priorities,” Alhassan explained. “GCB’s support extends far beyond traditional retail or corporate financing; our focus is on empowering local enterprises to undertake truly transformative projects. To date, the bank has committed close to GH¢5 billion toward the Big Push agenda and national infrastructure development, with Timeline as one of our key strategic partners.”

    Accelerating project delivery and spurring job creation

    For Timeline and Innovations Company Limited, which currently ranks among the leading indigenous contractors executing critical civil works across the country, the influx of advanced machinery represents a structural turning point for its operations.

    Receiving the keys to the heavy-duty fleet, the Chairman of the company, Inusah Ousman, revealed that the assets would immediately go into service under a highly organized, round-the-clock shift framework to maximize productivity.

    “This expanded fleet will significantly increase our operational capacity and position the company to undertake larger and more complex infrastructure projects across the country,” Ousman declared. “The deployment strategy includes a 24-hour operational system involving over 1,000 trained drivers and machine operators to ensure accelerated project execution nationwide. Crucially, this acquisition will directly create more than 800 jobs immediately, with our company targeting over 10,000 employment opportunities by the end of the year through expanded project activity and related economic opportunities.”

    A model for private-public collaboration

    State representatives monitoring the sector have lauded the financing structure as a vital blueprint for domestic asset retention. The Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, who witnessed the commissioning, urged other financial entities to mirror GCB’s aggressive commercial approach.

    “This collaboration between GCB Bank and Timeline is a practical example of how financial institutions and private sector players can support the government’s infrastructure agenda,” Deputy Minister Suhuyini noted. “Such partnerships are absolutely critical to ensuring local contractors have the financial muscle and technical capacity to deliver quality projects on time while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs for Ghanaians.”

    With the equipment cleared for immediate deployment to major construction sites across the country, economic analysts project that the capital injection will significantly reduce government project backlogs, lower long-term infrastructure costs, and solidify Ghana’s domestic engineering capacity for decades to come.

     

     

  • GCB Bank declares GH¢1 dividend as growth surges

    GCB Bank declares GH¢1 dividend as growth surges

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    GCB Bank PLC, following its stellar performance and subsequent approval from the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has announced a dividend payout of GH¢1 per share to its shareholders.

    The announcement was made during the bank’s Annual General Meeting, where the Managing Director (MD), Mr. Farihan Alhassan, detailed a year of unprecedented growth despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.

    The bank cemented its position as the titan of the nation’s financial sector, reporting a record-breaking profit before tax of GH¢3.2 billion for the 2025 financial year.

    “Largest by all metrics”

    In a bold declaration of the bank’s market dominance, Mr Alhassan noted that GCB Bank has moved beyond mere recovery from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) to a phase of aggressive expansion.

    “GCB Bank is now the largest bank in Ghana by all metrics whether you look at assets, deposits, or profitability,” Mr. Alhassan stated. “Our results are not just numbers on a page; they represent the deep trust our customers place in us and our ability to pivot and find value in a volatile market.”

    The bank’s total assets saw a significant jump, driven by a robust increase in customer deposits, which now stand as the highest in the industry. This liquidity has allowed the bank to further support the private sector and government initiatives, reinforcing its role as a backbone of the Ghanaian economy.

    Rewarding shareholders

    The GH¢1 dividend declaration marks a significant moment for investors who have waited for a return to regular payouts following the banking sector’s restructuring period. The approval from the Bank of Ghana signals the regulator’s confidence in GCB’s capital adequacy and financial health.

    Addressing the shareholders, Board Chairman Mr. Jude Arthur emphasized the bank’s resilience. “After rigorous consultations and ensuring our capital buffers remain strong, we are pleased to receive the BoG’s green light. This dividend is a testament to our commitment to creating value for those who have stood by the bank during turbulent times.”

    Strategic outlook

    The record GH¢3.2 billion profit was fueled by a sharp rise in net interest income and a significant contribution from non-funded income, including digital banking fees and foreign exchange gains.

    Mr. Alhassan highlighted that the bank’s digital transformation remains a priority. “We are no longer just a ‘brick-and-mortar’ institution. Our digital platforms are processing millions of transactions, allowing us to reach the unbanked and provide seamless service to our corporate clients,” he added.

    Market analysts suggest that GCB’s performance sets a high benchmark for the industry. With a footprint that spans every corner of the country and a balance sheet that dwarfs its competitors, the “Green Giant” of Ghanaian banking appears well-positioned to navigate the fiscal years ahead.

    The bank’s leadership concluded the session by reassuring stakeholders that the focus for 2024 remains on maintaining asset quality, enhancing customer experience, and driving sustainable growth to ensure GCB remains the undisputed leader in Ghana’s financial landscape.

     

     

  • GCB hits historic GH¢3.2bn profit to claim industry supremacy

    GCB hits historic GH¢3.2bn profit to claim industry supremacy

    ​By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    ​In a definitive display of indigenous financial might, GCB Bank PLC has shattered industry records, reporting a historic profit before tax of GH¢3.2 billion for the 2025 financial year.

     

    ​The milestone marks a triumphant recovery from the economic turbulence of recent years, effectively cementing the bank’s status as the undisputed leader of Ghana’s banking landscape.

     

    ​Speaking at the unveiling of the 2025 financial results, Managing Director Farihan Alhassan declared that the institution has surpassed all competitors both local and international to become the largest bank in the country by every significant metric, including assets, deposits, and national footprint.

     

    ​“Our 2025 performance is not just about the numbers; it is a reflection of a deliberate strategy to stay ahead of the curve in a very challenging environment,” Mr. Alhassan stated.

     

    ​Turning the DDEP Tide

     

    ​The record-breaking performance is being viewed as a masterclass in crisis management. The bank’s leadership credited the 2023 Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) as the unlikely catalyst for this growth, describing it as a “forced rethink” that spurred internal innovation.

     

    ​According to Mr. Alhassan, the restructuring compelled the bank to aggressively diversify its interests. “We had to move away from over-reliance on government securities and look deeper into the private sector, digital innovation, and operational efficiency,” he explained.

     

    ​This strategic pivot has transitioned GCB from a traditional lending model into a diversified powerhouse, capable of driving high earnings while maintaining a rigorous risk management framework.

     

    ​A ‘Resilient Franchise’ for the Next Century

     

    ​Beyond the immediate windfall, the 2025 results highlight a significantly strengthened balance sheet. The bank’s growth was fueled by two primary engines: a surge in digital transaction volumes and a robust expansion of its deposit base.

     

    ​The rise in deposits, in particular, signals that public trust in the indigenous lender has reached an all-time high despite broader economic fluctuations.

     

    ​“We are not just chasing profits; we are building an institution that will be here for the next 100 years,” Mr. Alhassan noted. “We have focused on capital adequacy and liquidity, ensuring that as we grow, we remain the safest harbor for our depositors’ funds.”

     

    ​Setting the Standard for 2026

     

    ​GCB Bank’s performance sets a formidable benchmark for the Ghanaian financial sector. By successfully blending the expansive reach of a state-linked institution with the agility and efficiency of a modern private lender, GCB has carved out what leadership calls an “unassailable edge.”

     

    ​As the industry enters 2026, market analysts expect GCB’s success to act as a catalyst for the wider economy. With record earnings now at its disposal, the bank is expected to ramp up private-sector lending, providing the capital necessary to fuel Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery.

     

    ​For now, GCB Bank stands alone at the summit, proving that the challenges of the past were merely the whetstone used to sharpen its competitive edge.

  • Bank posts impressive performance in 2025 amid DDEP remnant

    Bank posts impressive performance in 2025 amid DDEP remnant

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    The Ghanaian banking sector has transitioned from the turbulent waters of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) into an era of unprecedented prosperity.

    Financial statements for the year ending 2025 reveal a landscape where record-breaking profits are no longer the exception, but the standard. From indigenous giants to international subsidiaries, the industry’s recovery has been characterized by triple-digit growth, aggressive asset expansion, and a masterful recalibration of risk.

    As we analyze the 2025 performance of major players like GCB Bank, Stanbic, ADB, OmniBSIC, and Zenith Bank, a clear narrative emerges: the Ghanaian banking sector has not just recovered, it has been redefined.

    The titans of scale: GCB and Stanbic

    Leading the charge is GCB Bank, which shattered local records by posting a staggering GHc 3.2 billion profit before tax. As the nation’s largest indigenous lender, GCB’s performance is often a bellwether for the broader economy. Its ability to cross the 3-billion-mark suggests a successful pivot toward high-yield digital services and a robust management of interest margins in a stabilizing inflationary environment.

    In tandem, Stanbic Bank Ghana demonstrated the resilience of international banking frameworks. Posting a 38% growth in profit, Stanbic’s narrative was one of “strengthening momentum.” Unlike the volatile swings seen in smaller players, Stanbic’s growth reflects a disciplined capture of corporate and investment banking value, proving that even at a high baseline, significant expansion is possible through operational efficiency.

    The recovery kings: ADB and NIB

    Perhaps the most emotive stories of 2025 come from the state-linked institutions. The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) completed a “remarkable recovery,” recording GHc 367.2 million in profit after tax. For a bank that faced significant headwinds during the debt restructuring era, this turnaround is a testament to a tightened credit risk framework and a renewed focus on its core mandate—agribusiness value chains.

    Similarly, the National Investment Bank (NIB) has moved from the brink of systemic concern to a “leadership-led revival.” The blueprint for NIB’s restoration involved a painful but necessary cleaning of the balance sheet and a strategic realignment with national industrialization goals. The 2025 results for these two institutions signal that the “too big to fail” era has been replaced by an “efficient enough to thrive” era for state-owned banks.

    The agility play: OmniBSIC and Zenith Bank

    While the giants moved the needle in absolute terms, OmniBSIC Bank emerged as the growth champion of the year. Delivering a breathtaking 104% profit growth, the bank also saw its assets and deposits double. This suggests a massive gain in market share, likely fueled by aggressive retail expansion and a “customer-first” digital strategy that has lured depositors away from more traditional, slower-moving competitors.

    Zenith Bank Ghana also neared a historic milestone, with earnings approaching the GHc1 billion mark. Zenith’s performance underscores the profitability of the mid-to-top tier segment, where lean operations meet high-value trade finance and treasury operations.

    Comparative analysis: what drove the boom?

    Industry experts point to a number of critical factors that defined this “golden year”. However with the performance narrative of the abovementioned institutions, four common threads emerge:

    The Yield Environment: Despite the DDEP, banks successfully rebalanced their portfolios toward high-yielding cocoa bills, revised statutory papers, and private sector lending with higher risk-adjusted returns.

    Digital Transformation: The 2025 profits were largely “paperless.” The cost-to-income ratios across GCB, OmniBSIC, and Zenith showed marked improvement as more customers migrated to mobile and internet banking, reducing the overhead of physical brick-and-mortar branches.

    Deposit Growth: In a surprising show of public confidence, deposits doubled for players like OmniBSIC. This indicates that despite previous economic shocks, the Ghanaian public still views the banking system as the safest harbor for their capital.

    Asset Quality: A renewed focus on rigorous credit risk assessment has kept non-performing loans (NPLs) in check, even as banks begin to expand lending to the private sector.

    Bank Key Metric (2025) Strategic Driver

    GCB Bank GHc 3.2bn PBT “Largest by all metrics”; Scale & diversification

    OmniBSIC 104% Profit Growth Aggressive deposit & asset expansion

    Stanbic 38% Profit Growth Sustained earnings momentum

    ADB GHc 367.2m PAT Remarkable recovery & agribusiness focus

    Zenith Bank ~GHc 1bn Earnings Robust corporate & treasury operations

    The path ahead: sustainability or a one-off?

    While the profits are historic, the 2025 results also set a high bar for the coming year. As the Bank of Ghana continues its regulatory oversight, the focus for 2026 will likely shift from pure profit recovery to the sustainability of these margins and the role of these banks in driving Ghana’s broader industrial and agricultural growth.

    The performance also invites scrutiny. Critics argue that these “historic profits” are partly a result of the high-interest-rate environment that burdens the borrowing public and SMEs.

    However, the “Leadership Blueprint” seen at NIB and the “Earnings Momentum” at Stanbic suggest that these gains are more than just a byproduct of high rates; they are the result of structural reforms. As the central bank continues to monitor capital adequacy ratios, the 2025 windfall provides the necessary cushion for banks to begin lending more aggressively to the private sector in 2026.

    Banking experts who commented on the performance acknowledged that the 2025 fiscal year will go down in history as the year the Ghanaian banking sector “broke the glass ceiling” as a master class in resilience and strategic growth.

    As GCB’s MD Farihan Alhassan rightly stated, the DDEP was the catalyst that forced a “rethink.” Implicitly, the historic profits of 2025 are not merely the result of high interest rates or favorable treasury yields. Instead, they are the fruits of a fundamental shift in the Ghanaian banking “DNA.”

    From GCB’s GHc 3.2 billion milestone to OmniBSIC’s 100% growth, the data confirms a sector that is capitalized, liquid, and hungry for further expansion.

    For the Ghanaian consumer, the hope is that these record profits will eventually translate into lower lending rates and more accessible credit, fueling the next phase of national economic growth.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • GCB Bank shatters records with GH¢3.2bn profit …as MD declares institution ‘largest by all metrics’

    GCB Bank shatters records with GH¢3.2bn profit …as MD declares institution ‘largest by all metrics’

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    GCB Bank PLC has cemented its position as the titan of Ghana’s financial sector, reporting a historic profit before tax of GHc 3.2 billion for the 2025 financial year.

    This record-breaking performance comes on the back of a strategic overhaul necessitated by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which the bank’s leadership describes as a catalyst for building a more “resilient franchise.”

    Speaking at the presentation of the bank’s 2025 financial results, the Managing Director of GCB Bank, Farhan Alhassan, asserted that the bank now leads the industry across every significant benchmark.

    “GCB Bank is currently the largest bank in Ghana by all metrics be it assets, deposits, or even the footprint we maintain across the country,” Mr. Alhassan stated. “Our 2025 performance is not just about the numbers; it is a reflection of a deliberate strategy to stay ahead of the curve in a very challenging environment.”

    The DDEP: A catalyst for innovation

    The record GHc 3.2 billion profit represents a significant milestone for an indigenous bank, especially following the tremors of the 2023 debt restructuring. According to Mr. Alhassan, the DDEP was a “forced rethink” that ultimately benefited the institution.

    “The DDEP forced banks, including GCB, to rethink their strategies. We had to move away from over-reliance on government securities and look deeper into the private sector, digital innovation, and operational efficiency,” he explained.

    This strategic pivot appears to have paid off. The bank’s ability to grow its earnings while managing risk underscores a transition from a traditional lending model to a more diversified, modern banking approach.

    Building a resilient franchise

    Beyond the immediate profit figures, the MD emphasized that the bank’s focus is on long-term sustainability. The 2025 results show a strengthened balance sheet, which Mr. Alhassan attributed to the construction of a “resilient franchise” capable of withstanding future economic shocks.

    The bank’s growth in 2025 was characterized by a surge in digital transaction volumes and a robust expansion in its deposit base, indicating that public trust in the indigenous lender remains at an all-time high.

    “We are not just chasing profits; we are building an institution that will be here for the next 100 years,” the MD noted. “We have focused on capital adequacy and liquidity, ensuring that as we grow, we remain the safest harbor for our depositors’ funds.”

    Market leadership

    With total assets and deposits now outstripping all local and international competitors in the Ghanaian market, GCB Bank’s 2025 performance sets a high bar for the rest of the industry. The bank’s leadership believes that its unique position—combining the reach of a state-linked institution with the efficiency of a modern private lender gives it an unassailable edge.

    As the industry reflects on a year of “historic recovery,” GCB Bank stands at the summit, proving that the challenges of the past few years have only served to sharpen its competitive edge.

    Industry analysts expect that GCB’s performance will encourage further private-sector lending in 2026, as the bank looks to deploy its record earnings into supporting the broader Ghanaian economy.

     

     

     

  • GCB Bank prepares to launch Non-Interest Banking ‘Window’ …as board embarks on partnership visit to IIFM

    GCB Bank prepares to launch Non-Interest Banking ‘Window’ …as board embarks on partnership visit to IIFM

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    Ghana’s financial landscape is on the verge of a historic shift as GCB Bank PLC, the nation’s largest indigenous lender, nears the launch of its dedicated Islamic banking window.

    A high-powered delegation, led by Board Chairman Professor Joshua Alabi, met with the International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) on February 10 to solidify the operational and regulatory framework for the new service.

    The move marks a strategic pivot toward Shari’ah-compliant finance, a model rooted in risk-sharing and ethical investment rather than traditional interest-bearing structures. By partnering with the IIFM, GCB Bank aims to adopt international best practices to ensure the new window is both robust and transparent.

    Key focus areas of the collaboration include:

    Standardized Documentation: Implementing IIFM’s globally recognized contract templates to ensure legal clarity.

    Product Innovation: Developing world-class financial products tailored to the Ghanaian market.

    Regulatory Resilience: Aligning internal bank policies with global Islamic finance standards to protect consumers and shareholders.

    Driving financial inclusion

    The initiative is expected to bridge a significant gap in Ghana’s banking sector, offering a viable alternative for individuals and businesses seeking non-interest-based financial solutions.

    “This is a pivotal step in our mission to deepen financial inclusion,” stated Professor Alabi. “By offering ethical, Shari’ah-compliant solutions, we are not only diversifying our portfolio but also contributing to the broader national economic development.”

    A season of strategic growth

    The Bahrain visit is the latest in a series of high-profile moves by GCB Bank in early 2026. Under the leadership of Managing Director Farihan Alhassan, the bank has prioritized community engagement and innovation. This follows a recent Islamic Thanksgiving Service held with the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, signaling the bank’s commitment to interfaith inclusivity and grassroots resonance.

    As GCB Bank prepares to roll out these services, industry analysts expect the move to spark increased competition and innovation within the West African banking corridor.