Banking

UBA Targets Strengthening of Corporate Governance, Seeks Best for Customers

Published

7 years ago

02/05/2018

By Dipo Olowookere

Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu, has reminded top management staff of the lender that putting the customers at the forefront and tailoring the activities of the bank in line with their demands remains the focal point of the bank, adding that imbibing the corporate governance culture is key to building an enduring financial institution.

Mr Elumelu made this known at the annual Group Chairman’s Forum, a platform for group integration, re-strategising and knowledge sharing with the overall aim of puting the bank on firm standing to actualize its goals and targets for the financial year.

The theme of this year’s forum was focused on three main areas: ‘Efficient and effective communication across the group; Entrenchment of enduring corporate culture and corporate governance.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Elumelu and was attended by all the group chair persons from across Africa, Group board executive and non-executive directors and CEOs of each of the 20 subsidiaries of the bank’s group. The top executive echelon in the bank, including heads of units were also present to put heads together to develop key strategies aimed at building the bank’s brand and satisfying its customers.

A strong and institutionalized corporate governance, laden with excellence in customer service, according to Mr Elumelu, will drive more investment to the bank and thus allow it to contribute meaningfully to the development of the African economy.

“As long term investors and Africa enthusiasts, we are committed to the markets in which we operate and to the wider African economy. We will continue to work with credible partners and governments across Africa to identify and develop those critical growth poles required for the sustainable development of all African economies’.

“In line with this, we must inculcate a culture that enforces corporate governance, individual and corporate accountability, a high sense of urgency and a customer first orientation in getting things done. Responsiveness and accountability are key attributes of High Performing Organizations. We know that the culture of corporate governance is key and we intend to focus on this to ensure that our goals for the financial year are duly met,” Mr Elumelu said

Also speaking at the 3rd Chairman’s Forum, the Group Managing Director, Mr Kennedy Uzoka, who emphasized the bank’s goals of Excellence, Enterprise and Execution, said that the business had to be more customer-focused than ever before, adding that the elements of effective and efficient communication could not be toyed with as they represent an embodiment of what the bank stands for at all times.

Participants at the Group Board Forum resolved to do all in their power to continue to position the bank as the leading Pan-African Bank across all key indices – brand equity, human capital, customer service and profitability, whilst also inculcating a culture of responsiveness at UBA, with zero tolerance for any regulatory infraction across all operations.

Speakers at the Forum included Director of Marketing Corporate Communication, Ms Bola Atta, Director of Human Capital Management, Patricia Aderibigbe; Head of Risk, Uche Ike and the Managing Partner of Angela Aneke Associates.

The newly appointed Regional CEOs, Emeke Iweriebor, Amie Sow, Abiola Bawuah and Martin Che also presented on how they intend to achieve their strong objectives for this financial year. The forum ended on a very strong and positive note which witnessed all participants in an up beat mood.

Banking

Goldman Sachs, IFC Partner Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Others to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Published

7 minutes ago

11/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have announced a new partnership with African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria to support the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, a joint programme launched in 2008 to provide access to capital and training for women entrepreneurs globally.

The two Nigerian banks are part of nine financial institutions from across Africa which have agreed to join the 10,000 Women initiative committing to leverage the business education and skills tools the programme provides to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent by providing access to business education.

Others banks include Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire, Equity Bank Group, Banco Millenium Atlantico – Angola, Baobab Group, and Orange Bank.

Speaking on this, Ms Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs said – “10,000 Women has had a powerful impact to date, but we know that there are more women to reach and more potential to be realized.

“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa, and mainstream lending to female business leaders. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital that they need to scale.”

Since 2008, the 10,000 Women initiative has provided access to capital and business training to more than 200,000 women in 150 countries.

“This expanded initiative marks a significant step forward in creating equitable economic opportunities for women in Africa, enabling them to build stronger, more resilient businesses and to realize their entrepreneurial goals,” said Ms Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion.

Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative complements the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), launched in 2014 by Goldman Sachs and IFC as the first-of-its-kind global facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

Banking

Development Bank of Nigeria Wins Financial Inclusion Leadership Award

Published

5 days ago

06/12/2024

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In recognition of its unwavering commitment to fostering access to financing for Nigerian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Development Bank of Nigeria Plc has been rewarded with the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award at the Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards.

This was at the 2024 International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders.

The chief executive of the lender, Mr Tony Okpanachi, said the recognition affirms the company’s efforts in expanding access to financial services for MSMEs in Nigeria.

“We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our bank’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians. This award recognises our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs.

“Additionally, this award is a validation of our strategic focus on driving financial inclusion for small businesses, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative that drives that. We will continue to innovate and expand our financial inclusion programmes, ensuring that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to services,” he stated.

On his part, the Chief Operating Officer of DBN, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, said the accolade demonstrates the firm’s dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria.

“This award acknowledges our Bank’s innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he said.

“This award will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact.

“We are committed to ensuring that more small businesses and startup enterprises in Nigeria have access to financial services, this award will further inspire us to accelerate our efforts in this regard,” he stated.

Banking

The Banker Magazine Declares Zenith Bank as Bank of the Year in Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

05/12/2024

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group in the United Kingdom has announced Zenith Bank Plc as Bank of the Year, Nigeria.

At the Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024 held on in London on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, it was stated that Nigerian lender clinched the award for its strong management, sound business model and strategy, and approach to sustainability and ESG banking practices.

The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, described the recognition as a “testament to the unwavering trust and loyalty of our esteemed customers, the unparalleled leadership and guidance of the board and management as well as the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

She said, “It also reflects our bank’s steadfast commitment to delivering excellent services to our customers and contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.”

“We will continue to invest in innovative technologies, expand our range of products and services, and maintain our commitment to exceptional customer service in order to sustain our position as Nigeria’s Number One Bank,” Ms Umeoji assured.

The Banker’s Bank of the Year accolade is among the most coveted and widely regarded award in the banking industry.

Often contested by the world’s leading financial institutions, the winners span across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Recall that last month, Zenith Bank commissioned its branch in Paris, France following the granting of the final approval by the country’s banking regulator, the Autorité de ContrôlePrudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR).

This is part of the bank’s global expansion strategy, and its commitment to serving clients wherever their businesses are around the world.

Zenith Bank has continued to earn numerous awards, with this latest accolade coming on the heels of several recognitions, including being the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine.