By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The United Kingdom subsidiary of Access Bank Plc has continued to soar higher, recording double-digit growth across all its four strategic business units.
For example, Access Bank UK said its balance sheet appreciated in the year by 36 percent, with its investment in Dubai returning a whopping 200 percent increase in income.
Also, the lender, which has its parent company in Nigeria, said in a statement that for the 11th year running, it did not record any non-performing loans, with corporate responsibility and exemplary corporate governance playing a key role in its growth.
According to Managing Director of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, “We are a bank where our growth has been fuelled by the strength of customer relationships.
“It enables us to develop innovative products and financial solutions with rather than just for our customers.
“Becoming a UK clearer is a major landmark for us and differentiates us from many of our competitors in the market place.
“We also manage our retail deposit offering in-house for greater control with both initiatives forming part of our strategy to future proof the bank.”
He further said, “We have offices here in the heart of the City of London, Dubai and Lagos and are building our presence in China through a representative office there.”
“We invest significantly in attracting, retaining and developing professional staff in order to ensure customers always deal with an expert who is familiar with their business and personal financial needs.”
Over the weekend, the annual Access Bank Polo Day was held in London and was the culmination of a year-long programme, part of its fund raising in partnership with UNICEF for education projects in northern Nigeria in particular.
A total of N350 million (UD$970,000) were pledged during the day to build and equip 70 new classrooms, for children’s education in Northern Nigeria.
“Since the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative was started in 2005 it has built schools in Kaduna and, kept more than 8000 students in continuous education.
“At the same time new school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment have been developed.
“The communities surrounding the schools are being supported with bore-holes for water, and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development,” a statement issued by the company said.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai had committed to match the building programme which would see another 70 class rooms built in the coming year and another 2500 children in education.
“The annual event is the climax to the high-profile Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament, and celebrates reaching out to and highlighting the plight of vulnerable children and orphans and internally displaced persons.
“In partnership with 5th Chukker and based in Kaduna, Nigeria, the tournament is the biggest charity polo tournament in Africa and generates funds and stimulates support for the work of the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative across Africa,” the statement added.
Chairman of Access Bank UK Limited, Mr Herbert Wigwe, while commenting on the initiative, said, “Together our continuing support for the Fifth Chukker -UNICEF initiative is predicated on our view of our role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice, social initiatives and environmental consideration.”
“We continue to look for ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing.”
