The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa
recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 31st Annual Best
Bank Awards Winners.
The editors of Global Finance made the selections after
extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and
banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Factors considered in selecting
the top banks ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed
subjective.
Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets,
profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business
development and innovation in products.
Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity
analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in
the industry.
Commenting on the award, the outgoing group managing
director/chief executive of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This
award serves as a powerful affirmation of our resilience and tenacity despite
headwinds and a very challenging macroeconomic environment. Indeed, it is a
testament to our status as the leading financial institution in Nigeria,
dedicated unwaveringly to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders”.
He expressed profound gratitude to the founder and chairman,
Jim Ovia, for his exceptional vision and foundational role in establishing a
resilient and enduring financial institution. He also lauded the board for
their astute insights and exemplary leadership, the staff for their steadfast
commitment and unwavering dedication, and the customers for their staunch
loyalty to the Zenith brand.
Publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, Joseph
D. Giarraputosaid: “Banking has reached another watershed moment with the debut
of generative artificial intelligence, which promises to rewrite the industry
playbook,” He added that: “In this ever-changing environment, the Best Bank
Awards recognise the financial institutions that offer the broadest range of
services, long-term reliability, and technological innovation.”
Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst
the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the
most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen
in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean,
Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East,
North America and Western Europe.
Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top
performers among banks and other financial services providers, and the awards
have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial
community.
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has
earned the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Best Bank
for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023, being listed in
the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023; being recognised as the
Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 14th consecutive year, in
the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best
Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, in the
World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the
World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022 and 2023; Bank of the Year
(Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in
Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance
World’s Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’
Africa, for four successive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom;
Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards;
Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria in
the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.
Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in
Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021; Bank of
the Year 2023 and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020
to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI)
Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice)
at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank
of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation
in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.