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26 September 2021

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited (SLCB) is still in good shape compared to many of its peers in the country's banking industry.

The bank has a fortresslike balance sheet with the largest in assets and Deputy Managing Director Bockarie Albert Kalokoh said the only risk to its failure is a collision of the earth and moon.

SLCB has the largest customer base and its operations are spread out across the country leveraging on its assets for profit. Mr Kalokoh asserted that the bank's transformation agenda is driven by a purpose, that's " Delivering value to all stakeholders". This the Deputy Managing Director explained is at the root of everything SLCB does; embedded in the mindset, measures and actions across the organisation. The leadership guru, Bockarie Kalokoh noted that their strategy is not focused on creating products; rather, they keep making experiments to identify the best solutions for its customers.

The board, management and staff continue to embark on an innovative journey to be better, said the Deputy Managing Director who has been at the helm of the bank's digital leadership since 2014.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, SLCB harnessed its technology infrastructure to making the bank accessible even at one's doorstep removing the hassle of having to walk into its branches to access services.

As an industry leader in digital innovation in the banking industry, SLCB launched amongst others QR payment, Mobile app, visa card, online banking, and bank to the wallet; all offering convenience, speed, flexibility and security.

About the man behind the Bank's digital leadership

Bockarie Kalokoh has been the Deputy Managing Director since May 2017 been in charge of rejuvenating SLCB's products, its communication as well as its image.

He has a lengthy career in the banking industry, which over two decades have seen him at the helm of several critical departments.

He was Director of Finance & Administration at the Union Trust Bank, General Manager responsible for Credit & Marketing at Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Ltd, Supervising Senior at KPMG SL and Assurance Consultant with KPMG Professional Services Nigeria. Before attaining the position of Deputy Managing Director, Kalokoh was Director of Finance & Administration (April 2010 - May 2017) and Director of Business Development & Special Assistant to the Managing Director ( Dec 2006 - March 2010).

Bockarie Kalokoh studied BSc (Hons)Economics at Fourah Bay College graduating in 1995. His educational achievements include:
- Doctor Business Administration, Walden University 2019 to 2022
- EMBA Leadership, Jack Welch Management Institute 2016
- MBA Leadership, Strayer University 2016 to 2019
- Executive Certificate in Negotiation Skills, Harvard University 2017
- Executive Certificate in Leadership, Jack Welch Management Institute 2016
- Certificate in Leadership & Strategy, Euro Money 2015
- ACA Accounting & Finance, Institute of Chartered Accountants Nigeria

Bockarie Kalokoh has commercial awareness, industry knowledge and financial management skills amongst others any CEO of a very competitive banking industry needs. He is ideally positioned to lead SLCB to its next phase of growth. His teamwork is immeasurable as was remarked by the late hardworking and dedicated Managing Director Mr Abdulai Fidelis Turay. They worked together with the team to grow the bank's profitability to an enviable position and establishing it as the best digitally innovative bank in the country. He is particularly relevant to the current and expected transformation of SLCB operations as he executes the bank's innovative digital play. With Bockarie Kalokoh at the helm of affairs, the sky has no limit for the brand with the lion logo symbolising the king of the jungle ' banking industry '.
The bank's employees are also positive about the Deputy Managing Director with an approval rating standing at 84% according to a survey done by this medium responding to their request to having him at the helm of affairs for continuity and profitability.