Guardian News - Guardian Bank

Guardian
Customer Issue 01
Our most valued customers :
It gives me immense pleasure in writing this forward
on the launch of the Bank’s Newsletter which has been
christened “Guardian News.”
We, at Guardian Bank, started our journey on 13th
January 1992 by opening our first branch at View
Park Towers along University Way, City Center.
Establishing a commercial bank was one of the many
dreams of our Chairman, Mr. M. M. Chandaria,
popularly known as “MM” who ventured into
business in a most humble way and has expanded his
empire over the years. He pioneered the consolidation
of private sector Banks in Kenya and took a bold
step of merging First National Finance Bank Ltd
and Guilders International Bank Ltd with Guardian Bank during 1999 and 2000
respectively. With this takeover, the Bank grew its network to five branches spread
over the counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret. Three more branches
have since been opened – Mombasa Road Branch in July 2010, Nyali (Mombasa)
in July 2012 and Ngong Road in August 2012 raising the branch network to eight.
Over the years, the bank has shown substantial growth with the support and
patronage of all its customers. As a result, the Bank’s deposits crossed a landmark
figure of Kshs. 10.000 billion while the advances and asset base reached Kshs.
7.660 Bn and Kshs. 11.750 Bn respectively as at 31-12-2012. In addition, The
Shareholders of the bank have been consistently ploughing back the profits and
consequently, the core capital of the bank crossed the billion mark to stand at Kshs.
1.219 Bn at the end of last year. The net Non Performing Assets of the Bank were
reduced significantly to Kshs. 72.369 mn. which is less than 1.0% of the gross
advances – a great achievement for the Bank as this is below the industry average
for NPA’s.
The Bank is managed by highly experienced staff with the able guidance of Board
Members who are professionals in different fields and successful businessmen.
We have a dedicated workforce of 114 employees who are ever ready to meet
the demands and expectations of our customers. The level of customer service at
our branches is of a very high standard as we have developed a zero tolerence to
deficiency in our services.
This newsletter contains interviews of two of our many valued customers and their
comments are a true testimony to our commitment to our customers. We believe in an
‘open door policy’ and that the customer comes first in our business.
Guardian Bank has supported various charitable organizations under our social
responsibility docket and we are committed to continue with our efforts in this
direction.
On behalf of our Chairman, the Board of Directrors, Senior Management and
myself, I take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their continued
support and loyalty and re-affirm our commitment to offer you the best service.
With very warm regards,
Vasant Shetty
Financial Highlights as at
31st March 2013
Promotions
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June 2013
Vol 01
Our Corporate Focus
Message From
The Managing Director
Total Assets
Total Deposits
Total Advances
Core Capital
Profit before tax
News
Kshs. 12.06Bn
Kshs. 10.48Bn
Kshs. 8.05Bn
Kshs. 1.25 Bn
Kshs. 83.99Mn
Name
Vision
Your Preferred Bank
Mission
“To provide superior financial services that are consistent
with customer needs and the best product mix delivered by an
effective ICT System and contended competent staff ”.
Board of Directors
Mr. M. M. Chandaria
Mr. Vasant Shetty
Mr. Hetul Chandaria
Mr. Mahesh Chandaria
Mr. Raj Sahi
Mr. Shantilal Shah
Mr. Diamond Jamal
Mr. Ajay Shah
Dr. Samson Ndegwa
Mr. N. Sabesan
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Chairman
Managing Director
Executive Director
Non Executive Director
Independent Non Executive Director
Independent Non Executive Director
Independent Non Executive Director
Independent Non Executive Director
Independent Non Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Management
Mr. V. Shetty
- Managing Director
Mr. H. Chandaria - Executive Director
Mr. N. Sabesan
- Chief Executive Officer
Mr. N. Thaker - Head of Risk Management
& Compliance
Mr. J. Wachira
- Senior Manager, HR & Operations
Mr. N. Anand
- Manager - IT
Ms. G. Nyende
- Manager – IT
Ms. M. Kibi - Manager – Marketing
Ms. M. Omullo
- Legal Officer
Mr. S. Ngahu
- Internal Auditor
Mr. B. Mwawongo - Senior Officer, Finance
Branch Managers
Ms. L. Miranda - Senior Manager, Biashara Street Branch
Mr. J. Sehmi
- Senior Manager, Mombasa Road Branch
Mr. I. Harunani - Regional Manager, Coast Region
Mr. G. S. Matharu - Regional Manager, Western Region
Ms. S. Parmar
- Westlands Branch
Mr. P. Omany
- Ngong Road Branch
Mr. A. Solanki
- Nyali Branch
Mr. H. Derodra - Kisumu Branch
Correspondent Banks
Deutsche Bank – UK, Frankfurt & NY, Habib Bank – UK,
Habib Bank – NY, ICICI – Mumbai, DCB - Mumbai,
KCB – Nairobi, Standard Bank – South Africa and
Bank of India – Nairobi
Branch
Previous Posting
New Position
Mr. Hetul Chandaria
Head Office
Non-Executive Director
Executive Director
Mr. N. Sabesan
Head Office
General Manager
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Imtiaz Harunani
Mombasa
Senior Manager
Regional Manager
Mr. G. Matharu
Eldoret
Senior Manager
Regional Manager
Ms.Lorraine Miranda
Biashara Street
Manager
Senior Manager
Mr.Joseph Wachira
Head Office
Manager
Senior Manager
Mr.Hitesh Derodra
Kisumu
Assistant Manager
Branch Manager
Mr. Anup Solanki
Nyali
Deputy Manager - Mombasa
Branch Manager
Ms. Sonal Parmar
Westlands
Deputy Manager
Branch Manager
“The future depends on what we do in the present” – Mahatma Gandhi
1
The New Face of Regional Management
With the expansion of the Bank in the various counties, GBL appointed Regional Managers in
Mombasa & Eldoret to oversee and assist the branches in the Coast and Western parts of the country
respectively.
We spoke to:
The Regional Manager of the Western Region, Mr. G.S. Matharu and this is what he had to share with
us……
1.
You are a regional manager. What is your job profile?
and sometimes fear while grabbing the next step.
In 2009 our Bank took up an expansion
programme that saw 3 new branches opened
between 2010 and 2012 bringing the total
number of branches to eight.
Getting to where I am took a lot of hard work and
challenges. Vertical was the direction I wanted
to go and truly I have and am still enjoying the
journey.
The Bank plans to open more branches and
in order to have effective control over the
new branches especially in the up-country
centers, two Regional Centers were created
in July 2012 - one based in Mombasa and the
other based in Eldoret. Eldoret and Kisumu
branches are under my jurisdiction.
3.
As the Regional Manager, I oversee the
operations and offer guidance to all the
branches under my jurisdiction. I visit
the branches regularly and update the
Head Office on all matters relating to the
branches. I am also entrusted with the duty
of expansion of branches within my region.
At the moment I am carrying out a market
analysis to determine the most viable area
where new branches can be opened within
my region.
4. How do you manage your time to
accommodate all aspects of your life?
2.
Has it been easy to get to where you
are in your career?
Think about a ladder. Usually long, slender,
a little unstable, and certainly demands that
you take conscious and careful steps. Just
as climbing a ladder, in climbing the career
ladder we avoid making wrong moves - thus
there is a lot of stress, hard work, mysterious
fog of the unspoken rules of do’s and dont’s
Did you always want to work in a bank?
Yes. My personal motto has always been ‘service
above self ’. Being an accountant by profession my
motto is realized better in a service industry. I am
more fulfilled when my customers are satisfied
and happy.
The account that works for you
Key Features
Competitive rate of interest
1% bonus interest (terms apply)
Free cheque books (terms apply)
Free e-mail statements
Free ATM cards
Free banker’s cheques for school fees
Access to account transactions
through Internet Banking
It’s all about setting out priorities and taking
self control in order to achieve a balance in all
aspects affecting life.
5.
What are your future career plans?
Banking is my career, I am still climbing my
career ladder aiming at the highest possible level.
6.
Success to you is….
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the
courage to continue that counts.
Customer Focus
We spoke to Mr. Paul Ng’ang’a, the Managing Director of Palbina Travel Limited and this is what he had to say:-
PALBINA TRAVEL LIMITED
1. What does your business entail?
Our core business is to provide corporate clients with a complete travel package that begins with air ticketing, visa processing, advising on
travel health requirements and ends with hotel bookings and airport transfers. We also facilitate bookings for conferences and seminars. Our
journey started in 1996 with a team of only two employees. Overtime, and with great determination and hardwork, Palbina Travel has acquired
a work force that has seen the business grow and even relocate to new offices at the prestigious Greenhouse building on Ngong Road.
2. How long have you been banking at Guardian Bank?
We started a working relationship with the bank one year ago.
3. Which products and services are you currently utilizing?
Due to the nature of our business we have Current accounts in KES and USD, Savings accounts, Asset Financing facilities and deal in Foreign
Exchange.
4. What has been your experience in your dealings with the bank?
The beginning was difficult, but we have managed to establish a respectable relationship with Guardian Bank. At present we have a very good
working relationship with the Branch Manager who has been very instrumental in ensuring that the requirements of our business have been
meet with speed, precision and competitive pricing/rates. The branch staff are also very helpful. A key person to recognise is the Managing
Director who has impressed us by his professionalism, knowledge of customer requirements, open-door policy and prompt communication
etiquette.
5. Could you highlight specific areas in your business where the bank has been of assistance?
A few months back, Guardian Bank assisted us to acquire an asset that had a significant capital saving and for that we say Asante Sana!
Furthermore, during the just concluded General Elections period, we experienced a rough financial patch of which the bank took note off, gave
us breathing space and we have now squared our position with the bank.
6. What would be your parting shot to the bank and other customers?
The bank should continue to give its views/advise to its customers and customers should try and develop a cordial and honest relationship with
the bank for the purpose of creating a win-win situation.
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together ” James Cash Penney
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Jambo – We have arrived!!!
Three new branches were opened, one branch relocated and another fully renovated between 2010 – 2012. We were
blessed to have the presence of Mr. M.M. Chandaria – Chairman of the bank and the Directors at every single ceremony.
For this we say Asante Sana!
Mombasa Road Branch – New Branch
Ngong Road Branch - New Branch
With pomp & colour we opened our 6th Branch which is
located on the ground
floor of Tulip House on
the Nairobi – Mombasa
highway next to the
Sameer Business park.
GBL’s Mombasa Road
branch is a modern
experience of corporate
banking.
GBL goes green!!!! The latest addition to GBL’s
branch network
is the Ngong
Road
Branch
located in “The
G r e e n h o u s e”
- a practically
d e s i g n e d
modern building
incorporating
many
“green”
features
&
conveniently
situated on the
very dynamic and vibrant Ngong Road. Guardian’s
8th branch which was opened on 1st August 2012 is
a reflection of our vision to grow and infiltrate new
markets.
Kisumu Branch - Relocated
In the port city on the shores of Lake Victoria, GBL relocated
its Kisumu Branch to a
more strategic premises
in the heart of the city.
The Branch is now
situated on the main
street in Kisumu - at
Amalo Plaza, ground
floor, Oginga Odinga
Road - Central Square.
Nyali Branch – New Branch
In the palm fringed coastal town of Mombasa, Kenya’s
second largest city, on
15th July 2012 we opened
our 7th Branch. Located
along Links Road, the
Nyali Branch is GBL’s
second Branch to be
opened in this port city.
The new modern look
offices offer a cool and
pleasant environment
for clients and employees
alike to visit and work in & it is the first branch of the Bank
to offer seven days banking to customers.
Westlands Branch - Fully Renovated
Located on Mpaka Road in Brick Court House, the
Branch was renovated and additional office space
created by taking over a floor above the current one.
The renovations which ended in December 2012 were
carried out during
the
normal
working hours
of the branch
and we thank the
customers and
the staff for their
patience and cooperation. This
becomes
the
second branch
of the bank to
offer seven days
banking to customers.
TIPS TO SAVE YOUR MONEY
As economic times get tough, we need to get tougher! Try
the following and gauge whether you would have saved a
few ‘000s at the end of the month/quarter/year:
•
•
•
•
Always draw up a budget when your salary checks in
and stick to it
Relook at the budget at the end of the month to
determine the areas that have gone haywire
Guard your savings by transferring them to an
appropriate investment account by use of a cheque,
standing order or internal transfer. It is said that, “if you
don’t see it you won’t spend it”
If you do not have to go out, stay at home. A lot of
spending happens the minute you step out of your gate.
• Compare prices among the different supermarkets
before making a major purchase.
To be continued in the next issue
“The beginning is the most important part of the work” – Plato
3
Corporate Sponsorship Events
b, 2013
and 13th Fe
day on 12th ucts. Hats off to
en
op
g
in
er
rm Engine ity to market its prod d Office for their
un
During the Fa
anch and Hea
d the opport
the Bank ha ch, Mombasa Road Br
an
Br
u
m
t.
Kisu
ring the even
joint effort du
The Mombasa Br
the 25th of Janua anch sponsored the annual SK
of tourism leade ry 2013. SKAL is a professionaAL dinner on
and friendship. rs around the world, promoting l organisation
It is the only intern
global tourism
branches of the tra
vel and tourism ational group uniting all
industry.
CSR Activities
Eldoret Branch
– Giving back to
society - the staff
put their charita
of Eldoret branch
ble hands togeth
er and donated
Bakita Rescue Ce
foodstuffs to St.
ntre at Langas in
Eldoret. Caption
(centre) and the
ed is Ms. Aliye
girls who were all
smiles.
t together
branch who go
ff of Westlands
them to
ted
na
do
&
Kudos to the sta
s
m
various food ite
and purchased
n’s Home.
Kabete Childre
Customer Focus
We spoke to Ms. Doris Wairimu, one of the Directors of Focus Cab Services Limited and this is what she had to share with us:-
FOCUS CAB SERVICES LTD
1. What does your business entail?
At Focus Cab Services, we have a team of young professionals, all geared towards providing quality cab services. Our drivers are especially
courteous and will ensure the journey to your preferred destination is pleasant and comfortable. Our rates are cost-effective and our fleet of
modern vehicles is available 24 hours a day. We embrace technology, a reason why each of our cabs are fitted with a GPS tracking device and
two-way radios. We also have a computer-controlled booking and dispatch system to ensure smooth running of our operations.
2. How long have you been banking at Guardian Bank?
Focus Cab Services has been with Guardian Bank since August 2011.
3. Which products or services are you currently utilizing?
We have a Current Account.
4. What has been your experience in your dealings with the bank?
Our experience has been commendable and efficient.
5. Could you highlight specific areas in your business where the bank has been of
assistance?
Focus has enjoyed great assistance in securing an Overdraft Facility and Insurance
Premium Financing.
6. What would be your parting shot to the bank and other customers?
We will continue to bank with Guardian Bank and we look forward to exploring
more products and services. Together in driving the economy.
Editorial Team
Lorraine Miranda and Martha Kibi
Send us your feedback & comments on
[email protected]
Your Preferred Bank
This newsletter is the property of GBL. Regulated by CBK
Although The Editorial Team has taken due care and caution in compilation of data it does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the
information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.
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“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Teresa