UTRAK Savings and Loans Limited was adjudged the over-all best group at this year’s Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC), gala competition held at the Lizzy Sports Complex in Accra.
The Kumasi-based financial institution showcased that it was not only a giant in the micro-finance business but has mastered in sporting activities as well.
In a knock out competition, UTRAK progressed to win the grand finale of soccer through a penalty shootout with Opportunity International Savings and Loans. This is after it had thrashed the Women World Bank, Beige Capital and First Allied in the preceding stages.
In all, 26 institutions took part in the competition. They included First Trust, BestPoint Savings and Loans, Women’s World Banking, Global Access, Abii National, Adehyeman Savings, Sinapi Aba, Union Savings, and Advans Ghana.
Other games
Other games competed for included spoon and lime, volley ball, relay race, ‘oware’ and ‘ludu’.
It was an event to behold as the institutions boosted the morale of their various teams with some popular street music coupled with some brass band. Spectators also had a day full of excitement and great sportsmanship.
GHASALC
The Executive Secretary of GHASALC, Ms Eunice Marfo, said the games were held as part of activities for members to shed off stress after a long year of dedicated financial service to Ghanaians.
“This is also a big moment for us to dialogue and network” adding that through determination and hard work GHASALC was poised to further expand financial service accessibility to the unbanked, thereby contributing towards building a resilient economy.
She, however, urged the institutions to always abide by the professional ethics in the discharge of their financial obligations.
Background
UTRAK Savings and Loans Limited, is a non–bank financial institution with its headquarters in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The company started over 20 years ago as UTRAK Systems Ltd, engaging in the sale of consumer goods to its clients.
However, in 2006, it was licensed by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to operate as a financial house under the name UTRAK Financial Services Ltd.
Utrak attained a BoG license to operate as a savings and loans company in 2013 to receive deposits, provide credit facilities and investment services.
The company can boast of branches throughout the country.