Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB) on 28 October 2026 participated in the FY2027 Budget Hearing at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall in Freetown.
During the presentation, Willic Johnson, Finance Manager at Rokel Commercial Bank, first thanked the Ministry of Finance team for its patience regarding the delay in the bank’s presentation.
Mr. Johnson explained that one of the main reasons for the delay was the bank’s ongoing process of taking over Union Trust Bank (UTB), which he said had not been an easy task.
He noted that the bank had continued to make progress in various areas, including political, economic, social, legal and regulatory matters, as well as environmental sustainability.
Mr. Johnson reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening its corporate social responsibility initiatives. He said the bank had been investing in community development, financial inclusion, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economic development, women’s empowerment and social inclusion, as well as education and youth development.
He further explained that, in response to the growing shift towards digital technology, the bank had also been investing in digital banking services.
According to him, these investments had significantly improved the bank’s digital banking capacity, enabling more customers to access their funds at any time.
In his opening remarks, Aaron Tommy Browne, Assistant Director of the Fiscal Risk Management Division at the Ministry of Finance, commended Rokel Commercial Bank for its consistent compliance with the Ministry’s requirements.
He said the Ministry had reviewed the bank’s presentation and figures and found them to be in order, although a few issues had been raised by some Ministry officials.
Mr. Browne advised the bank’s management to take note of the concerns raised and address them appropriately for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Bai Koroma, Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens Right Network Sierra Leone, commended Rokel Commercial Bank for what he described as a commendable presentation.
However, he urged the bank’s management to give greater consideration to persons with disabilities to ensure inclusivity in its services.
He also called for increased attention to the potential diversion of foreign funds and emphasized the importance of the bank’s relationship with the Ministry of Finance in securing and managing such funds.
