By Amaka Abayomi

The Chairman of Accion Microfinance Bank, Mr. Patrick Akinwutan, has urged microfinance operators to invest in staff training so as to ensure that they are properly grounded on the rudiments of microfinancing.

Speaking to journalists after the bank’s 5th AGM, Akinwutan attributed the success of Accion MFB to the constant training and retraining of its staff which has led to the instilling of good corporate governance in the bank.

“Apart from the good customer base we have recorded over the past five years, I make bold to say that our people is our reason for our success as we have invested heavily in training our staff.

“Adequate and regular training of staff reduces staff turnover as they will want to put in their best to grow the organization. Due to constant trainings, we have been able to retain the good hands that started with us and this has ensured continuity.

“We have leveraged on our partnership with Accion International to bring in good training resources to ensure that we have best practices in our office and procedure.”

Akinwutan also pointed out that Accion MFB is investing in information and technology to ensure that its processes and procedures and standadised.

“Aside investing in people, we also invest in ITC to ensure that we have a standardized approach to doing things in a very fast and reliable manner.

“So, with the combination of good customer base, good corporate governance and good staff with low turnover, we have no choice but to succeed as a microfinance bank.”

Commenting on the acceptability of its proposed introduction of ATMs and PoS, Akinwutan said they are optimistic that customers would accept these new technology, especially as the world is moving in that direction.

“The introduction of these options would reduce the cost of services provided an ensure safety of finance, which made the Central Bank of Nigeria to introduce the mobile banking policy.

“Bearing in mind that it has been proven that literacy level doesn’t hamper people’s ability to catch up with new technology or what is going on in the world. , we are sure of its acceptance, especially when they key into the convenience this would afford them.

“We would leverage on the CBN’s mobile banking policy to sell this technology and we are willing to invest in IT centers to educate our unschooled customers on how to use them and their benefits.