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Ecobank Ghana has held its seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the College of Physicians & Surgeons in Accra today. In a release to the media at the ceremony, the bank indicated that it intends building an iconic brand that will remain the industry leader on all fronts, going forward. This was after the banks 2012 financial performances was discussed with shareholders, that saw Ecobank emerge as the biggest bank in the country today, making three jumps from the 4th place in 2011. Ecobank Ghana arrived on the Ghanaian Banking scene on the 19th February 1990 with little ceremony and from a position of the smallest Bank in the country; Ecobank has grown like the biblical mustard seed to become the biggest bank in Ghana, judging by total assets, total deposits, loans & advances as well as total revenues. The most exciting thing about this feat is that, Ecobank has gone about its business with ruthless efficiency to be able to climb to the top-most position within 22 years only. It is on record that during the 2012 financial year, the bank had consummated its merger with the erstwhile Trust Bank (TTB), which enabled it spring over the hither to three biggest banks in Ghana, thus moving from the fourth place to the summit, among 26 players operating in a very dynamic and competitive environment. Ecobank�s profit before tax for 2012 grew by 76% year-on-year from GHS 106 million to GHS 186 million, giving a 37% return on equity. The results recorded indicate a strong performance in all the Bank�s income lines as it delivered strong growth in net interest income and fee-based income. Significantly, non-interest income contributed 34% to total income while interest income constituted 64%. The Bank�s gross loan book grew by 69% from GHS0.80 billion to GHS1.46 billion while deposits also grew by 53% to GHS2.46 billion within the year. The Bank�s total assets stood at GHS3.43 billion as at end of year 2012, a growth of 61% from prior year numbers. Stated capital also grew by 226% whilst total equity grew by 74%. The year 2012 also saw a successful integration of the human resource base, technological platforms and operations of Ecobank and TTB in a seamless manner with very minimal interruptions and inconveniences to customers and employees. The most remarkable thing about this integration was the total absence of staff redundancies and/or redeployment of any kind. Through various training and development programmes, Ecobank was able to effectively integrate the cultures and values of the two banks successfully, the results of which has clearly reflected in the bank�s financial performance for 2012. With a total branch network of 78 as at the end of 2012, Ecobank has presence in eight out of the country�s ten regions. The bank seems to run an efficient operational set-up as demonstrated by a reduction in its Cost/Income ratio from 52.5% in 2011 to 50% as at December 2012. Positioned as the bank with the strongest financial backbone, in terms of balance sheet solidity, Ecobank is poised to provide various financial solutions to operators in all key segments of the Ghanaian economy. With such strong performance in 2012, backed by the commitment, dedication, passion and zeal of its employees, Ecobank is also in readiness to maintain its leadership position in the industry, in line with its corporate vision of building a world class Pan-African bank that contributes to the economic development and financial integration of the African continent. Signed D. Kasser Tee Head, Communications and PR