The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has converted all rural banks operating in Ghana to Community banks.
The Bank’s directive is in line with Guideline on the Revised Microfinance Sector Framework, 2026 which has converted the Rural and Community Banking sector into the Community Banking sector.
All banks operating in the rural banking sector are therefore required to complete all statutory name changes, corporate rebranding and other regulatory alignments as required, by the end of December 2026.
A notice from the BoG to this effect, explained that the conversion represents a strategic milestone under the microfinance sector reform agenda, meant to usher in a new level of community-level financial intermediation.
The move coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of rural banking in Ghana.
The Bank stated that the subsector has become a core pillar of the banking sector over the last five decades, boosting financial inclusion efforts.
The sector currently comprises 147 licensed institutions, with over 1,000 branch networks across the country, serving over 8 million customers.
