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FIRSTBANK HARVESTS THREE AWARDS AT THE IMF/WORLD BANK
MEETINGS IN THE US
First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s pioneer and most
reputable financial supermarket, has clinched three awards
in the United States, being rated the Best Bank in Nigeria
2007. The three awards to be bestowed on the Bank, during
this year’s World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC on
October 19, 2007 by Global Finance (GF) are “Best Bank in
Nigeria, Best Trade Finance Bank and the Best Foreign
Exchange Bank for 2007”.
In a poll conducted by GF, the international financial
publication based in New York, with input from industry
analysts, corporate executives and banking consultants and
technology experts in 24 countries around the world,
FirstBank emerged the winner amongst 25 banks in Nigeria.
This makes it the third consecutive year the Bank has won
the awards.
Announcing the award from its New York headquarters, Joseph
Giarraputo, GF President said emerging markets are
attracting increased attention as the global economy
expands, adding that “we have identified the banks that
provide services to corporations seeking to take advantage
of substantial opportunities for growth in a sometimes
challenging environment and FirstBank is one of them.”
Among the criteria for choosing the winners are growth in
profitability, strategic relationships, customer service,
competitive pricing and innovative products. To receive the
awards is a delegation of the Bank’s directors led by Alhaji
(Dr) Umaru Mutallab, Chairman; Mr. J. M. Ajekigbe, Managing
Director/Chief Executive; and Dr. Oba Otudeko, a director.
Also on the team is Mr. Hafiz Bakare, Head Corporate
Planning & Group Coordination. The awards ceremony would
also be attended by international economic and political
facilitators.
It would be recalled that the Bank, earlier in the year,
unveiled a suite of retail and consumer products which are
conceived to empower corporate and individual Nigerians
financially to enable them meet business and personal needs.
Mr. Ajekigbe described the products as a “major feat in the
Bank’s customer-oriented and innovative financial plans.
This confirms the Bank’s interest in its customers, their
lifestyles and businesses”. The products, he added, will
enable the Bank contribute to the growth of customers’ and
non-customers’ businesses, and also grow personal banking
relationships.
Other winners in the Middle East and Africa category are
Ahli United Bank(Bahrain), Standard Chartered Bank(Botswana);
Commercial International Bank(Egypt); NIB International
Bank(Ethiopia); Trust Bank(Gambia); Ghana Commercial
Bank(Ghana); Arab Bank(Jordan); Barclays Bank of Kenya;
National Bank of Kuwait; BLOM Bank(Lebanon) and Attijariwafa
Bank of Morocco.
Also on the roll are Standard Bank of Namibia; BankMuscat of
Oman; Qatar National Bank; Bank of Commerce, Development and
industry; Samba of Saudi Arabia; Standard Bank of South
Africa; Banque de Tunisie; National Bank of Dubai; Stanbic
Bank Uganda; Standard Chartered Bank of Zambia and Stanbic
Bank of Zimbabwe.
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