Updates of the Joy Business 3rd Financial Services Sector Forum on the topic: ”˜The Financial Services Sector Clean-up; Now What?'
Background
The 14th of August 2017 set off a chain of events to the chagrin of many in the Ghanaian economy. Two behemoth financial institutions that were synonymous with the Ghanaian dream of growing a company from nothing to something came crashing leaving a trail of job losses, panic and high level of despondency. UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd had their licenses revoked by the Regulator, the Bank of Ghana and some assets and liabilities absorbed by Ghana's oldest local bank, GCB Bank. This purchase and absorption arrangement mitigated the potential negative spillovers the complete winding down of these banks would have brought.
GCB Bank became the new home for the customers of UT and Capital Bank at a cost of GHC 2.2 billion and calm was partially restored but many kept an eye out. 352 days down the line another hammer was dropped on the banking sector. 5 banks that had names resonating in every corner of the country ceased to exist and a new bank was formed to take again some assets and liabilities just as we witnessed with UT &Â Capital Bank. The banking sector was under the microscope again. This time, the level of interconnectedness of these banks to other parts of the financial sector began to rear its head and yes it wasn't pretty. The effects of this action reverberated across the length and breadth of the business world and even the national treasury, costing the taxpayer an initial GHC 5.7 billion.
Total cost shifts up as some banks could not meet a deadline for an increase in their minimum capital requirement from GHC 120 to 400 million. The national kitty is down an estimated GHC 11 BILLION on the banking sector alone. On the other end of the financial system, the securities industry was reeling from a problem that could cripple the business of investments.
The industry had its fair share of problems but had also been exposed to the problems of the banking, as banks are storehouses of funds for these institutions and in themselves an investment option by the fund managers. The interrelation of these institutions can spell doom and gloom if it runs askew. The regulator of the market also took some steps to deal with the weeds in the grass by closing down some institutions and instituting some reforms. In recent times the insurance industry has also had to deal with some bad nuts and ensure reforms are shaped to address dynamism in the market.
In recent days, the Specialized Deposit-taking institutions comprising savings and loans companies and finance houses have been placed on the chopping board. A number of institutions had their licenses revoked and placed under receivership through which customers will be made whole. The regulator cites a plethora of reasons, but at the core of this is regulatory forbearance and weak corporate governance with its concomitant effects.
Majority of the regulators have told us at one point or the other that yes indeed we have gone through a rough patch but the waters are calm. The four regulators of the financial system, the Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Insurance Commission and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority have an arduous task of preserving the peace that some have touted has been accomplished in the form of a clean-up. But is it really all done?
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Where hope fails: Ghana’s decaying home for the destitute
4 mins -
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
14 mins -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
18 mins -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
25 mins -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
25 mins -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
29 mins -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
38 mins -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
43 mins -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
45 mins -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
58 mins -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
1 hour -
I coined the term ‘hype man’ in Ghana – Merqury Quaye
1 hour -
Vasseur questions ‘strange momentum’ of Formula One race director change
2 hours -
“I am disappointed in Kojo Manuel” – Merqury Quaye on “no tie” comment
2 hours -
Nana Kwame Bediako; The beacon of unity
2 hours