By George M.O. Williams
The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) on Saturday, March 4, 2023, launched ‘Mi Yone Islamic/Hajj’ and ‘Women’s Banking’ accounts.
The bank also held health walk where staff from the west and east of Freetown converged at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank branch on Aberdeen Road and Cline Town, respectively, and walked to the headquarters on Siaka Stevens Street.
The launch of the products was part of the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of SLCB.
Staff of the bank also embarked on a float parade to marketplaces to educate market women on the benefits of the Women’s Banking Account.
The ‘Women’s Banking Account’ primarily focuses on women in the informal sector and ‘Mi Yone Islamic /Hajj Account’ is geared towards helping those wanting to save in order to perform the Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca.
Speaking on the products, the Director of Business Development of the SLCB, Moses Cumboh Sesay, said that the Women’s Banking Account intends to involve market women into the banking sector, adding that they want to ensure that they support them to have and develop their own accounts.
He said that the Account is a combined savings and credit product primarily targeting petty traders and market women to improve their livelihood and manage their finances with ease.
Sesay also mentioned that with the Islamic Account, savings will be done under the Shariah compliant principle of transaction, with no interest or charges on those wanting to save for themselves or relatives to perform the Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca.
Commenting on the Women’s Banking Account, Nasu Fofana said that they want more women to involve in the banking sector, adding that the account will also create partnership between the bank and the Market Women Association.
The deputy Managing Director, Festus Sowa said that the health walk helped to bring the staff.