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The Board Chairman of the National Investment Bank (NIB) and also Paramount Chief of the Asogli Traditional area, Togbe Afede XIV, has noted that the invasion of banks into the Volta Region, and Ho in the particular, would be meaningless if business persons failed to take advantage of the opportunity these banks would create. Togbe Afede, who was inaugurating a new banking hall for the NIB in Ho over the weekend, pointed out that customers of the bank gave reason to management to move out of the rented premises to build the modern facility that would make them more comfortable. The Asogli Paramount Chief observed that competition in the banking sector was highly intense, hence the need for the banks to adopt new strategies. According to him, the new NIB building should be seen as a strong expression to serve the people through commitment, and urged businessmen and women to take advantage of the presence of NIB to grow their businesses. He said NIB intends to extend businesses to households and individual business persons through the granting of loans, and asked the customers of the bank to demonstrate their loyalty, which would reflect in the regular payment of loans. Togbe Afede called on the staff of NIB to show greater commitment to the core values of the bank to offer the local people the best of services that would attract many to do business with the bank. He stressed that the bank�s effort to diversify its activities ought to be commended, and that the key in modern banking was how to maintain, as well as increase, the customer base. The Chief Executive Officer of NIB, Mr. Ernest Mawuli Agbesi, said the bank, with the support of its customers, was making giant strides in the industry in the country, and that the primary focus has been the finance and nurturing of local industries, as well as offering a full range of retail banking services. Mr. Agbesi pointed out that the banking system had witnessed dramatic changes, with unprecedented increase and access to a lot more banking channels in the country, which had resulted in intensified competition. He noted that domestic interest rates continued to rise as a result of inflation, expansion of the economy, and increase in government expenditure among others, which was against the state of affairs of the competitive situation on the banking landscape today. Mr. Agbesi disclosed that 28 new branches of NIB had been opened in the country this year, adding that the management of the bank intended to embark on an aggressive branch expansion programme, which would culminate in the opening of 22 more branches nationwide, to give greater access to customers of the bank. The CEO of NIB urged customers and potential customers to have confidence in the bank and continue to patronise its services, stressing, �We have shown remarkable strength in the face of competition, and we take pride in the quality of our staff.� The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo, commended the NIB and encouraged it to improve upon internet and VISA services, as well as consider extending banking services to remote areas by opening branches of the bank in the municipal and district assemblies in the region.