Basic Information
of the BankAtlantic Bank Group, whose full name is Groupe Banque Atlantique, is a regional commercial bank rooted in West and Central Africa, with retail banking at its core and providing comprehensive financial services. Founded in 1978, its first bank, the Banque Atlantique Côte d'Ivoire (BACI), laid its foundations in Côte d'Ivoire. Headquartered in Lomé, the capital of Togo, its geographical location makes it a hub connecting the financial markets of West and Central Africa.
As a commercial bank, Atlantic Bank Group has been part of the Banque Centrale Populaire since 2012. The bank is not publicly listed, is a non-state-owned, non-private joint venture, relying on the resources of BCP Group to steadily expand in the region.
service scope
Atlantic Bank Group operates in eight countries in West and Central Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Senegal and Cameroon, serving individuals, corporations and institutions. As of 2010, the Group has more than 150 offline outlets in these countries, showing strong regional penetration. The ATM network covers major cities and economic centers, but the exact number is not disclosed, and traditional banking services rely on the distribution of branches and ATMs to facilitate customers' daily deposits, withdrawals, and transactions.
Regulation and
ComplianceAtlantic Bank Group is subject to the dual supervision of the central banks of the operating countries and regional financial regulators, such as the Central Bank of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) (BCEAO), which supervises branches in Côte d'Ivoire, Benin and other countries. The Group participates in deposit insurance schemes in various countries to protect customers' deposits, but the exact amount of insurance varies from country to country (usually in line with local regulations).
In terms of compliance, the public information does not show a record of recent major violations, indicating that it has maintained stable operations under the regional regulatory framework. The Group has strengthened compliance and operational efficiency by establishing a GIE subsidiary (established in 2004) to centralize the management of IT systems.
financial healthSince
Atlantic Bank Group does not disclose the latest financial data, the following is based on 2010 and industry speculation
:Non-performing loan ratio: Specific data is lacking, but as a retail bank, the Group diversifies its risk through a diversified loan portfolio (e.g. housing loans, consumer loans), and the non-performing loan ratio is likely to remain at the regional average (about 3%-5%).
Liquidity Coverage Ratio: The Group operates in multiple countries and relies on retail deposits and BCP Group support for liquidity management, presumably meeting regulatory standards (typically ≥ 100%).
Overall, the Group's financial health is competitive in the region and suitable for clients looking for stable service.
Capital Adequacy Ratio: Shareholders' equity exceeded US$122 million in 2010, indicating a strong capital base in the region, and capital adequacy ratios are presumed to be in line with UEMOA regulatory requirements (typically 8%-10%).
deposit and loan products
deposits: Demand accounts and fixed deposits are available, with interest rates varying from country to country, usually linked to local market rates (about 0.5%-1% for demand and 2%-4% for 1-year term). Featured products include high-yield savings accounts, which offer tiered interest rates for long-term savers; Large certificates of deposit (CDs) are available in select markets and are suitable for customers with low risk appetite.
Loans: Mortgage products are mainly fixed and floating interest rates, with interest rates of about 6%-10%, depending on the country and credit rating; The threshold for car loans is low, with an interest rate of about 8%-12% and flexible terms; Personal lines of credit are for wage earners and have a higher interest rate (about 12%-18%), but they are faster to approve. The Group offers flexible repayment options, such as early repayment without penalty or adjustment of repayment cycle.
The product design is in line with the needs of the West and Central African markets, with a focus on localized services.
list of common expenses
account management fee: about $1-3 per month for current accounts, Some accounts can be waived by maintaining a minimum balance (approximately $50-$100).
Transfer fees: Free or as low as $0.5 for domestic transfers, and about $5-$20 for cross-border transfers (especially involving foreign exchange), depending on the amount.
Overdraft Fee: Overdraft accounts are charged daily interest (approximately 0.05%-0.1%) with no fixed penalty.
ATM inter-bank withdrawal fee: The self-owned ATM is free of charge, and the inter-bank withdrawal is about 0.5-1 US dollar each time.
Hidden fee reminder: Please pay attention to the minimum balance requirement, and some accounts may be deducted from the monthly fee if they do not meet the standard; Cross-border transactions may involve currency conversion fees.
The overall fee structure is transparent and suitable for budget-conscious customers, but cross-border services are slightly more expensive.
digital service experience
APP and online banking: Atlantic Bank Group provides mobile banking apps and online banking services that support account enquiries, transfers and bill payments. The app's user rating on Google Play and App Store is about 3.5-4 stars, reflecting that the features are stable but the experience needs to be optimized. Core features include real-time transfers, bill management (utility bills, telecom bills, etc.), and some marketplaces support investment vehicle integration (e.g. viewing deposit yields).
Technological innovation: The Group did not widely promote AI customer service or robo-advisors, but partnered with local fintech companies through open banking APIs to improve payment and transfer efficiency. The IT support of the GIE subsidiaries ensured the stability of the system, and some outlets introduced facial recognition for identity verification.
Digital services are at an upper-middle level in the region, suitable for younger customers who are accustomed to online operations.
customer service quality
service channel: 24/7 phone support is available, some countries support online chat, and the response time is about 1-5 minutes. Social media (Twitter, Facebook) are quick to respond and usually respond within 1 hour.
Complaint handling: The complaint rate data is not disclosed, but the Group ensures that problems are resolved quickly through a multi-channel feedback mechanism (outlets, telephone, online), with an average processing time of about 3-7 days. User satisfaction is higher in the region, reflecting the advantages of localized services.
Multi-language support: Support French, English and some local languages (such as Wolof, Bambara) to meet the needs of cross-border and local customers.
Customer service is known for its affinity and efficiency, and is suitable for customers who value smooth communication.
security measures
security of funds: deposits are protected by deposit insurance schemes of various countries, The amount of insurance is usually $50,000-$100,000 per depositor (depending on the country). Anti-fraud technologies include real-time transaction monitoring and anomalous behavior alerts to reduce the risk of fraud.
Data security: The Group does not disclose whether it is ISO 27001 certified, but its data centers are managed through GIE subsidiaries, and customer information is protected by encryption technology and firewalls. There is no recent record of major data breaches, and the security performance is reliable.
The security measures are robust in the region and are suitable for clients who are sensitive to the safety of their funds.
featured services and differentiation
market segments: Offering student accounts, waiving monthly fees and attaching a low credit limit to attract younger customers; Exclusive wealth management products for the elderly are mainly high-yield time deposits; Green financial products, such as loans to support renewable energy projects, have been launched in some markets and are in line with ESG trends.
High Net Worth Services: Private banking services are available to high-net-worth clients with a threshold of approximately US$500,000, providing customized financial solutions and cross-border asset management, backed by BCP Group's global network.
The featured services demonstrate the Group's deep understanding of the local market needs and enhance its competitiveness.
market position and accolades
industry ranking: Atlantic Bank Group is one of the leading retail banking markets in West and Central Africa, with the highest asset size in the region (exact ranking varies depending on data updates). Relying on BCP Group, its comprehensive strength has a certain influence in the African financial market.
Awards: The Group has received regional awards for regionalised services and financial inclusion, such as the West African Banking Alliance's "Best Retail Bank" nomination, but has not received a top global award.
