A Kenyan commercial bank opened its Yambio branch on Thursday.
Equity Bank Managing Director Paul Githahi said the branch in Yambio meant to support the agro-business in Western Equatoria through loans to farmers to increase food production in the state.
He added that the Kenyan bank plans to have branches in the ten states of South Sudan by the end of 2013.
Mr Githahi said 98 percent of the employees in the Yambio branch were South Sudanese nationals.
Daniel Kech, who represented South Sudan Bank at the inauguration, called upon citizens to benefit from the opportunities banks offered in the state.
He added that the more agriculture prospered in Western Equatoria the more the state would become the food basket of South Sudan.
Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro encouraged all citizens, especially the business community, to open bank accounts to save their money.
He asked the bank management to inform the citizens over the media about the benefits a bank gives and its in-services.