Fidelity Bank Ghana, a privately owned financial institution, started in 1999 as a discount house before transitioning into a full-fledged bank.
The bank initially operated as a money lender, serving as an intermediary between commercial lenders and borrowers while trading in various short-term securities and financial instruments.
This was revealed by Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, during a media engagement in Accra on Wednesday, March 26.
“We started as a discount house, and after seven years of strong performance, we transitioned to banking in 2006,” Mr. Opuni stated.
According to him, what set the bank apart at the time was its commitment to world-class standards with Ghanaian roots, spearheaded by Ghanaian bankers such as Edward Effah and Jim Baiden, who envisioned changing how people experienced banking.
“Back then, walking into a bank could feel heavy—unwelcoming even. We wanted our branches to feel different, warm, open—a place where customers felt at home. And we hit the ground running. Within six months, we were profitable, earning the title of Best Growing Bank of the Year in 2006,” he said.
Mr. Opuni further highlighted the bank’s efforts in financial inclusion, noting that the Smart Account initiative facilitates seamless account opening.
He added that Fidelity Bank is currently piloting tailored loan offerings to support its approximately 1.7 million financial inclusion customers.
