First Bank and Zenith Bank may start operations in Umuaka soon.
2 min read
If indications that emerged from the Chukwujiekwu Palace of Obinwanne Umuaka Autonomous Community last week were anything to go by, the year 2025 may be the year Akalites would not be in a hurry to forget as plans and talks are seriously ongoing on how to bring one of the big commercial banks to the communities as an answer to several calls by Akalites for another bank to begin operations in the community.
Umuaka Times got this hint last week during the interactive session at the Chukwujiekwu Palace when Chief Declan Dire and Hon Chimezie Ehirim paid a courtesy visit to HRM Eze Justin Ezeala of Obinwanne to thank him for all he has been doing in and outside Obinwanne. Umuaka Times publisher Darlington Ojy Onwukwe asked the Obinwanne monarch why only United Bank for Africa has for over 30 years been the only commercial bank in Umuaka which serves Umuaka, Amurie, Amandugba, Umundugba, Ekwe, Isu Njaba and other nearby communities.
Responding to the question, Onye Eze explained that he has personally taken that as a task to bring another bank in Umuaka but he listed a very big challenge. According to him, the Group Managing Director and the CEO of Zenith Bank PLC, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji received a chieftaincy title in Obinwanne community in 2023 and he used the opportunity and held talks with her towards the idea of getting a branch of her bank in Umuaka. The woman of substance promised to do something about it and after a couple of days, she sent some inspectors to the community to go round Umuaka in a search for a suitable corner for banking operations. The team, after her inspections, submitted a report that the community indeed needs another bank but the problem of security was listed as a deal breaker!
Umuaka Times gathered that the bank wanted a place near the Umuaka Police Station. Too bad there was no vacant land near the station.
As this seemed to be a deadlock, Onye Eze also approached First Bank for the same purpose and First Bank also cited the same reason. Currently the Eze Obinwanne is still holding talks with relevant authorities and stakeholders on the best approach to bring another bank to the community. If the talks yield good fruits, before the end of 2025, either Zenith Bank or First Bank or even both will start banking operations in Umuaka. Should we say congratulations in advance?
