ASSESSING THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF GCB BANK USING ACCOUNTING RATIOS, (2006 - 2015)

ABSTRACT The study examined the financial performance of GCB Bank Limited from 2006 to 2015 using financial ratios and indicators. Annual data from financial reports and statements were employed from Ghana stock exchange on the internet to compute all performance indicators and ratios. The major financial ratios that was used to assess GCB Bank for the period was profitability and efficiency ratios, portfolio quality ratios, liquidity ratios, capital adequacy ratio. The results showed that GCB Bank was profitable. GCB Bank was more effective and sound in their use of deposits. The results further showed that GCB maintained good books in all activities. However, GCB Bank was sufficient in terms of their minimum capital adequacy ratio of 10% which was far higher than the legal requirement of banking sector. Recommendations offered in the study were that the GCB bank should be creative and innovative in asset and product creation to be able to increase their total income. The bank should also try and reduce the cost of operations whiles increasing the total income. GCB bank should have a strong and well-resourced credit risk department and a loan monitoring and rigorous loan recovery team. Finally, GCB Bank should keep accurate update on the stock exchange to enable them raise enough capital and dilute the percentage of government’s shareholding. Recommendations for further studies and research is to is to use different accounting ratios to conduct detailed research in other area other than what has been discussed.