The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has emphasized the need for banks to diversify their revenue streams, warning that overreliance on net interest income could increase financial vulnerability, especially in a fluctuating economic environment.
According to Dr. Johnson Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, while net interest income remains a core and legitimate source of revenue, heavy dependence on it can heighten sensitivity to interest rate cycles and sovereign exposure dynamics.
“As margins compress in a normalising rate environment, earnings resilience will increasingly depend on diversification, particularly through transactional banking, trade services, payments, treasury activities, and other fee-based income streams that are less balance-sheet intensive,” Dr. Asiama said.
The Governor noted that banks in Ghana have been making progress in expanding their service portfolios, with digital banking, mobile payments, and e-commerce partnerships contributing to fee-based revenue growth.
However, he stressed that there is still room for greater innovation and adoption of non-traditional banking services to buffer against economic shocks.
The Bank of Ghana’s push for revenue diversification is part of broader supervisory efforts to ensure that the country’s banking sector remains resilient, competitive, and capable of supporting economic growth while mitigating systemic risks.
Financial analysts say the advice aligns with global trends, where banks are increasingly seeking income from digital platforms, corporate advisory services, and wealth management solutions to reduce dependence on interest margins.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com