Zenith Bank Retains Position As Nigeria’s Best in Commercial Banking, Corporate Governance

Zenith Bank Plc has continued to prove its mettle in Nigeria’s banking industry, maintaining its lead in many fronts to earn itself local and international recognitions.

Zenith Bank has been named the best commercial bank in Nigeria at the World Finance Banking Awards 2022, and also the Best Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom, for the second consecutive year.

World Finance Magazine presented the awards to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenener Onyeagwu, at the London Stock Exchange yesterday, in recognition of the bank’s ability to embrace digital transformation and best-in-class sustainability and corporate governance practices, leading to a stellar business performance in a difficult economic climate.

Commenting on the awards, Onyeagwu praised the commitment of the bank’s management and staff to carry out its operations in line with global best practices.

“These awards reflect our strong business fundamentals, resilience and ability to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the market through our innovative solutions, as well as our commitment to global best practices. As a member and signatory to various domestic and international sustainability frameworks including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles, we continue to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating value for our shareholders, customers, clients, investors, communities and the environment through our practices, operations and investments.” he said.

A statement issued by the bank noted that it places a premium on its core business strategy anchored on People, Technology and Service, to create value for its numerous clientele. It said the tier-1 bank leverages its team of dedicated professionals, to harvest its robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to provide cutting-edge solutions and products through its network of branches and electronic/digital channels.

The awards, which were published in the June 2021 edition of The Ethical Boardroom magazine, is in recognition of the bank’s adherence to global best practices and institutionalization of corporate governance, setting an industry-wide example of best practices in that field.

Zenith Bank has racked up several awards in recent years. The long list goes as follows: Zenith Bank was voted as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and 2021, and Best Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 by the Ethical Boardroom. Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2020 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine.

Similarly, the bank was recognised as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Retail Bank of the year at the 2020 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards, and Best Company in Promotion of Good Health and Well-Being as well as Best Company in Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2020.

“Zenith Bank has been generally adjudged a Corporate Governance compliant bank by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) hence its listing on the Premium Board of the Exchange. The bank continues to sustain this reputation and reappraise its processes to ensure that its business conforms to the highest global standards at all times,” the bank said in a statement.