Access Bank Nigeria won the prestigious Sustainable Finance Award for the Africa/Middle East Region. This incredible reward praises environmentally and socially responsible banking and investment. This is a well-deserved prize for an innovative bank whose mission is ‘to go beyond the ordinary, to deliver the perceived impossible in the quest for excellence.’ Another true inspiring business on Africa Report.
The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced the winners of the 2011 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, which over five years, established themselves as the world’s leading awards for banks and other institutions focused on sustainable development.
This year, the Awards attracted a rocketing record of 187 entries from 161 institutions in 61 countries.
The awards were presented at a gala dinner in London attended by around 200 senior decision-makers in finance and sustainability. Duncan Goose, Founder and Managing Director, Global Ethics, was keynote speaker at the dinner. The event followed a one-day Sustainable Finance Conference organised by the Financial Times and IFC.
Access Bank Nigeria, whose story of transformation from a small obscure Nigerian Bank into an African financial institution of note is striking and inspiring, is today one of the top ten largest banks in Nigeria in terms of asset base.
Their success is based on key values such like excellence: ‘we strive to attain and exceed the highest possible standards through our passionate and painstaking attention to detail,’ strong ethics: ‘our operations are transparent and always comply with regulations, while decisions are based purely on business interest,’ trust: ‘we have total confidence in one another. We will work tirelessly to earn the faith, loyalty and confidence of our customers. To this end, we will always deliver on contracts, agreements, undertakings and assurances,’ teamwork: ‘we hold the interest of the team above those of the individual, while showing mutual respect for all employees and sharing information throughout our organization,’ passion for customers: ‘customers always come first. We develop a deep understanding of our customers, approaching them with a positive “can do” attitude and responding creatively to their needs,’ and continuous learning: ‘we are dedicated to continuous growth and career development. This principle is applied at all levels and across all functions.’
No doubt, this is a core of values that could inspire many entrepreneurs across the continent. With a vision being to ‘transform (their) bank into a world-class financial provider’ Access Bank Nigeria is on the right path to international success. Set your expectations, your goal and go reach them.
“The FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards highlight how financial institutions create shared value that benefits both shareholders and society,” said IFC Executive Vice President and CEO Lars Thunell. “This year we are also recognising how sustainable finance, notably pension funds and private equity, is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, a key source of job creation and economic growth in most countries.”
The judging panel this year consisted of:
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Martin Dickson, Deputy Editor, Financial Times (co-chair)
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Rachel Kyte, Vice President, Business Advisory Services, IFC (co-chair)
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Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Chairperson, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations
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David Harris, Head, Responsible Investment, FTSE Group
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Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women’s World Banking
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Richard Laing, Chief Executive, CDC Group Ltd
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Herman Mulder, international sustainable development advisor
Well done to Access Bank Nigeria on their award, showing how banks can be more than simple financial institutions.
