Rice industry’s decline negatively affecting business – GBTI’s CEO

… bank celebrates 18 years of service in Region 2

By Indrawattie Natram

Essequibo Branch of Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Friday celebrated 18 years of service in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) with a grand reception for customers and employees.

The reception, held on the lawns of the bank, was attended by CEO, John Tracy, manager of administration Sean Noel along with Region Two regional executive officer Rupert Hopkinson.
Speaking at the reception the CEO said that the Anna Regina branch has grown over the years, noting however, that business has seen a significant decline since the dawn of 2016.
Addressing customers and staff before the commencement of the reception, Tracy said that the decline of the rice industry – the backbone of Region Two, is having a negative effect on business.
He explained that the strength of an economy often defines business for a bank, adding that the current state of the rice industry is a “thinning” time for the region.
He however said the bank will stand with its customers during “thick or thin” to cushion the effect of the situation. Tracy said despite the challenges, the bank has recognised that the rice industry plays an important role in the growth of the banking sector.
Meanwhile branch manager Dave Persaud during his address said the Anna Regina branch was opened on July 13, 1998 and for 18 years the branch has remained efficient and reliable in offering its service to the public: “We are always open to finding new, innovated ways to improve our service and as such we have launched two new products: GBTI Education Saving Plan, and GBTI Kick Start Education Loan Plan.”
In explaining the Education Saving Plan, he said it is specially designed to provide parents with the ability to save and make post-secondary education a reality for their children.
The GBTI Kick Start Educational Loan Plan, he said, caters for potential and existing post-secondary education that gears to assist in tuition fees, books, accommodation and live-in expenses.
The manager also took the opportunity to thank customers for choosing the bank as their choice.
After the formal opening customers used the opportunity to interact and socialise with both management and staff of the financial institution.