By Alusine Fullah
Rokel Commercial Bank (formerly Barclays Bank) was established in 1917 as Barclays Bank DCO with 100% shares owned by the parent company.
In 1971 it was incorporated locally and renamed Barclays Bank of Sierra Leone Limited with 25% shares owned by Sierra Leoneans and 75% Barclays Bank International. The rationale behind this move was to encourage Sierra Leoneans to participate as owners and develop confidence in the Bank.
Basic banking services (i.e. Savings and Current Accounts, Foreign Exchange, Bills for Collection, Safe Custody etc.) were provided and branches were established across the country. The bank had a network of 16 branches in various areas of the country at the outbreak of the war in 1992.
Since its inception, Rokel Commercial Bank has been leading the banking race in Sierra Leone. Leading the race has pushed RCB to innovative measures in the banking sector. In line with that, the introduction of Rokel Sim Korpor has been one of the factors in canvasing huge customers across the country. The Sim Korpor as it was provided successive transactions for the registered customers on the luxury of digital banking through the SMS carrier.
On a Meet-Greet and Engagement with members of the Fourth Estate on the 26th January, 2024, the Deputy Managing Director, Emmauel Borbor started by appreciating the role of the media in supporting the mission and vision RCB. He said: “I am happy today for the massive role of the media in the pursuit of our financial banking…today if we are leading as a banking sector your efforts are counted…we appreciate your efforts…”
Over the years, Rokel Commercial Bank strategy of giving back to society, as its Cooperate Social Responsibility activities has bordered on several organizational policies across Sierra Leone. For instance, recently, the bank struck a partnership deal with Mighty Blackpoll Football Club and offers support to the Sierra Leone Scrabble Association as part of its Corporate Social responsibility and a way strengthening ties and supporting Sporting Associations in the country. Apart from sports, RCB has also spread its CSRs tentacles in education, health, environment and climate.
