The Association
About the Association
Our mandate
A collective voice for licensed banks
The Gambia Bankers' Association brings together the banks licensed to operate in The Gambia. Its purpose is to address matters that affect the industry as a whole — questions that no single bank can or should resolve alone, such as the practical effect of new regulation, shared standards of conduct, industry-wide risks and the skills the sector needs.
The Association engages the Central Bank of The Gambia, government and other stakeholders on behalf of its members, presenting positions that have been agreed collectively. It also coordinates industry initiatives in areas such as professional training, financial literacy and the exchange of information on emerging threats.
The Association is not a regulator. Banks are licensed, regulated and supervised by the Central Bank of The Gambia. Nor does the Association provide banking services: customers deal directly with their own bank on all matters relating to their accounts.
What we do
Core functions of the Association
Representation and advocacy
The Association presents the agreed views of member banks to regulators, government and other public bodies on matters that affect the industry.
- Responses to consultations on proposed regulation
- Dialogue with the Central Bank of The Gambia
- Evidence-based policy positions
Regulatory engagement
The Association helps members interpret and implement new laws, regulations and guidance consistently across the industry.
- Industry briefings on regulatory change
- Feedback on practical implementation
- Shared understanding of compliance expectations
Professional standards
The Association promotes high standards of conduct, competence and ethics among those who work in banking.
- Codes of conduct and good practice
- Training and professional development
- Support for recognised qualifications
Industry information
The Association publishes information about the banking industry to improve public understanding and support informed discussion.
- Industry publications and reports
- Aggregated statistics drawn from public sources
- Explanations of how banking works
Financial literacy
The Association supports efforts to help the public understand financial products, manage money well and protect themselves from fraud.
- Plain-language guides for consumers
- Awareness of scams and fraud
- Outreach with schools and communities
Industry collaboration
The Association provides a forum where banks work together on shared, non-competitive challenges such as cybersecurity, financial crime and payment infrastructure.
- Technical committees of practitioners
- Exchange of information on emerging threats
- Joint initiatives that benefit the whole system
Who we serve
Our stakeholders
Member banks
Banks rely on the Association for collective representation, coordinated responses to regulatory change and a forum for cooperation on shared challenges.
Regulators and government
The Central Bank of The Gambia and public bodies gain a single, considered industry view when developing policy, regulation and national financial-sector initiatives.
Customers and the public
The Association helps people understand banking products, their rights and how to raise concerns, and supports wider efforts against fraud.
Banking professionals
Staff across the industry benefit from training, professional development and clear expectations of ethical conduct.
Development partners and investors
Partners and investors can engage with the industry as a whole on financial inclusion, sector development and market conditions.
Media, researchers and students
The Association is a reference point for accurate information about how the banking industry in The Gambia is organised and how it works.
Roles in the system
How the Association differs from the Central Bank and individual banks
Each body has a distinct role. Understanding the difference helps customers, journalists and partners direct their questions to the right place.
- Area
- Role
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- Industry association representing licensed banks collectively
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- Central bank and regulator of the banking system
- Individual banks
- Commercial institutions providing banking services to customers
- Area
- Legal basis and authority
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- Membership association; its authority comes from its members and its own constitution
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- Statutory authority under the Central Bank of The Gambia Act 2018 and the Banking Act 2009
- Individual banks
- Licensed by the Central Bank under the Banking Act 2009
- Area
- Who it serves
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- Member banks, policymakers and the public on industry-wide matters
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- The public interest in monetary and financial stability
- Individual banks
- Their own customers and shareholders
- Area
- Handles customer complaints
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- No. It cannot investigate or resolve individual account matters
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- Supervises how banks treat customers and handle complaints
- Individual banks
- Yes. The first point of contact for any complaint about an account or service
- Area
- Sets rules
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- No binding rules; it may agree voluntary codes and good-practice standards with members
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- Yes. Issues regulations, directives and guidelines that banks must follow
- Individual banks
- Set their own internal policies within the law and regulation
- Area
- Examples of activity
- The Gambia Bankers' Association
- Consultation responses, industry training, financial-literacy materials, technical committees
- Central Bank of The Gambia
- Licensing, prudential supervision, monetary policy, oversight of payment systems
- Individual banks
- Accounts, lending, payments, customer service and complaints handling
Our values
The principles that guide our work
- 01
Integrity
We act honestly and in good faith, and expect the same of the industry we represent.
- 02
Collective interest
We speak for the industry as a whole, on the basis of positions agreed by members, rather than for any single institution.
- 03
Public trust
A sound banking system depends on public confidence, so we weigh the interests of customers and the wider economy in everything we do.
- 04
Professionalism
We promote competence, sound judgement and continuous learning across the banking workforce.
- 05
Transparency and fair conduct
We work openly with regulators and stakeholders, and conduct industry cooperation in a way that respects competition law.
Vision and mission
Where we are heading
Vision
A trusted, resilient and inclusive banking industry
A banking industry in The Gambia that the public trusts, that withstands shocks, and that serves individuals and businesses across the country.
Mission
Representing, strengthening and informing
To represent licensed banks collectively, raise professional standards, engage constructively with regulators and stakeholders, and help the public use financial services with confidence.
Work with the Association
Licensed banks, partners and stakeholders are welcome to engage with the Association on matters affecting the industry.
Last updated
Working together
