Post by fireopal on Oct 26, 2009 4:17:04 GMT 4
Uganda: Ecobank Named African Bank of the Year 2009
Walter Wafula
22 October 2009
Pan-African bank Ecobank has been named the 2009 African Bank of the Year for excelling in banking and financial services on the continent last year.
Ecobank, which opened its Ugandan subsidiary in January this year, competed for the prestigious award against United Bank for Africa from Nigeria, at the 2009 African Banker Awards that took place in Istanbul recently.
The awards ceremony was organised by the African Banker, a business magazine dedicated to banking and finance in Africa.
Supported by the African Development Bank, the African Banker Awards recognise and reward individuals, companies and institutions, which excel in Africa's banking and financial sector every year.
Receiving the award, Ecobank Group Chief Executive Arnold Ekpe attributed the achievement to the efforts of the bank's 11,000 staff in 28 countries across the continent.
"I am delighted to accept this award in recognition of their hard work and continued dedication to Africa," he said.
Last year, the award was won by South Africa's Standard Bank, the parent company of Stanbic Bank Uganda.
During the event, up-to 14 awards were presented including: The African Banker of the Year award, which was scooped by Tayo Aderinokun, managing director and chief executive officer of Global Trust Bank Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officers of Equity Bank James Mwangi and Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno had been nominated for the same award.
Equity Bank was, however, named the Microfinance Bank of the Year.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to a pioneer of African banking, Paul Derreumaux, the president of the Mali-based group Bank of Africa, whose outstanding achievements in banking have contributed to Africa's substantial economic transformation.
Speaking at the awards, Mr Omar Ben Yedder, the publisher of African Banker magazine lauded the strength and resilience of many African banks amid the global financial and economic crisis.
The awards ceremony concided with the just concluded 2009 World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings in Istanbul. In attendance were hundreds of African bankers, finance ministers, central bank governors and officials of multilateral development institutions among other guests.
Walter Wafula
22 October 2009
Pan-African bank Ecobank has been named the 2009 African Bank of the Year for excelling in banking and financial services on the continent last year.
Ecobank, which opened its Ugandan subsidiary in January this year, competed for the prestigious award against United Bank for Africa from Nigeria, at the 2009 African Banker Awards that took place in Istanbul recently.
The awards ceremony was organised by the African Banker, a business magazine dedicated to banking and finance in Africa.
Supported by the African Development Bank, the African Banker Awards recognise and reward individuals, companies and institutions, which excel in Africa's banking and financial sector every year.
Receiving the award, Ecobank Group Chief Executive Arnold Ekpe attributed the achievement to the efforts of the bank's 11,000 staff in 28 countries across the continent.
"I am delighted to accept this award in recognition of their hard work and continued dedication to Africa," he said.
Last year, the award was won by South Africa's Standard Bank, the parent company of Stanbic Bank Uganda.
During the event, up-to 14 awards were presented including: The African Banker of the Year award, which was scooped by Tayo Aderinokun, managing director and chief executive officer of Global Trust Bank Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officers of Equity Bank James Mwangi and Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno had been nominated for the same award.
Equity Bank was, however, named the Microfinance Bank of the Year.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to a pioneer of African banking, Paul Derreumaux, the president of the Mali-based group Bank of Africa, whose outstanding achievements in banking have contributed to Africa's substantial economic transformation.
Speaking at the awards, Mr Omar Ben Yedder, the publisher of African Banker magazine lauded the strength and resilience of many African banks amid the global financial and economic crisis.
The awards ceremony concided with the just concluded 2009 World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings in Istanbul. In attendance were hundreds of African bankers, finance ministers, central bank governors and officials of multilateral development institutions among other guests.