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An expedition was begun in 2013 and the brain was to streamline Union Savings and Loan to place it as an integral player in the Financial Service Industry. Gradually, the dream of turning it into a Universal Bank by 2017 is becoming a reality. In an address delivered by the Managing Director of Union S&L, Mr. Philip Oti- Mensah, at the end of year dinner which was organized to award hard working workers of the bank, he made it known that from their collective efforts that have been able to move �from the bottom 3 as at 2012 to the top 5 as at June 2014.� Below is the speech delivered by Mr. Oti-Mensah during the dinner which was organized at the forecourt of the La Tante DC 10 Restaurant in Accra. CEO�s Speech � 2014 End of Year Dinner and Awards Night Good Evening Mr. Chairman Invited Guests Bank of Ghana Board of Directors, Union plague MDs and Heads of Zoomlion and Jospong groups Our Cherished Clients from all over Ghana Management and Staff of Union Ladies and Gentlemen A very warm welcome and thanks for coming to our second end of year dinner and awards night. As some of you may be aware Union Savings and Loans has been in existence for more than 25 years. Between 2007 and 2009 the current share holders acquired it. In 2013 we began a journey to restructure Union Savings and Loans to position it as a key player in the Financial Service Industry, with the medium term plan of becoming a Universal Bank by 2017. Generally I feel confident (and I believe you all do) to declare that Union is on course to meeting its short and medium term vision. From the bottom 3 in the Savings and Loans Industry as at 2012 we are in the top 5 as at June 2014. Our position in terms of Loan and Deposit Portfolios, Profitability and Brand presence confirm that we are indeed on course to become an industry leader next year. Furthermore I am happy to inform you that we have began steps to acquire a Universal Banking License and I believe with your commitment, hard work, determination, as well as our goodwill with the Bank of Ghana, and the grace of God, we shall get there sooner than originally planned. Let me use this opportunity to remind to you what has brought us this far so that we remain focused! 1. We aim at making a difference by providing Exceptional Service with efficiency, as defined in our tag line �� rapid banking, exceptional service��. It�s been proven globally that exceptional service with speed and efficiency are more important to the customer. 2. We aim at providing convenience through extensive and user friendly branch network, E-Banking and other channels like OmniBanking cabins. In the long term, we want to become a key retail bank mobilizing deposits and serving people in every corner of Ghana. 4. We are positioning ourselves as the number one (1) SME Bank in Ghana thus we aim at satisfying that target group to the extent that the brand Union becomes synonymous with SME. As I always say I believe any institution can outline these objectives nicely and receive short term recognition. But there�s no reward for nicely articulating who we think we are or who we want to be. These strategies are rewarding us only because we are committed to making them real, and we must never forget that. Here are a few specific milestones in 2014  We have grown our Deposit Portfolio by 200%  We have also grown our Loan Portfolio by almost 180%  We have increased profit by more than 200%  We opened eight (8) branches in Accra, Kumasi and Koforidua as planned, bringing the total number of branches to 17.  We have successfully launched our E-Banking services (ATMs and SMS Banking)  We launched the SME Clinic, our flagship service  We led the organization of the maiden SME Awards in Ghana  We have successfully introduced �u pick, we pay�, �u cargo� and other products. In addition, we have received recognition by industry watchers. The CIMG nominated Union for the best non-Financial Institution in Ghana; we ended up as 1st Runner up. Considering that 2013 was our first year of transformation, I believe that nomination was a sign of good things to come. Not long after, the Global Banking and Finance Review Awards also nominated us the best SME Finance Company in Ghana and we eventually won the award in November. At this point, I would like to, on behalf of the shareholder and Board of Directors let you now that we really do appreciate your commitment, effort, progress and assure you that will be commensurately rewarded! I will be quick to add however that institutional performance is good to celebrate but at Union we will always continue to measure performance individually. I entreat all of you to ensure that you don�t fall short of your individual targets because our business model does not allow non-performance. On this note let me say a big congratulations to all staff who shall receive awards for being exceptional among the over 200 employees. As I come to the end of my message I will like to share; Key expectations for 2015 You have heard all the key messages for 2015 in the recorded speech so I won�t repeat that. But here is a summary. 2015 is a year of accelerated performance. It is the year we shall get to the top of the industry. We aim at number 1. Everyone must contribute to a minimum of 100% in terms of actual results. Remember these words and paste them in your offices! Once again let me say a big thank you for coming. Enjoy the evening. AYEKOO & GOD BLESS YOU