Heritage Bank Plc has won the Nigerian Pilot Newspapers 2015 Leadership award for the fastest growing bank in Nigeria.
The award was presented by the publisher of the newspaper, Prince Dennis Sami at the bank’s headquarters yesterday in Lagos.
Sami said: “the winner of the award was voted by journalists across the country who chose the bank for the pace with which they have expanded their foot print across the country.”
Niyi Adeseun, Executive Director Services Banks who received the award on behalf of the bank’s management said the Heritage Bank is pleased that people are taking note of the little steps the bank is taking.
He said with a balance sheet size of about N600 billion with over 160 branches across 34 states of the federation, the bank is on course to attaining the status of a systemic important bank.
Adeseun said: “what is happening in Nigeria is not limited to the country alone, the country must treat the talk around diversification will all seriousness,” adding that, “it is not a consumption time; it is a time for production”
He urged everyone to give support to the federal government to enable the country get out of the wood.
The Bank had restated its commitment to the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs and wealth creation through mentorship and cost savings.
He explained that Heritage Bank was poised to serve “as a catalyst to create wealth, preserve it and fashion out a succession plan for the next generation.”
According to him, “SMEs have to survive if the economy must survive. It is not an option. It is the bedrock of our economy. The artisans, the fitters, the technicians… if they do not exist, our maintenance culture will be very poor. Funding is the last thing on the menu for SMEs. Let us begin to inject methods and give guidance to these companies.”
Apart from saving cost for the newcomer in business and SMEs, the bank also provides convenience for clients travelling out-of-state for business to naturally conduct their meetings or appointments without worrying about office space among others. According to the bank, while one of its product offering, MyHeritage Reward is a loyalty programme in which customers win prizes as they use the various electronic channels of the banks, the HB Concourse is a meeting room, fully furnished with relevant office equipment and designed to afford the small business owner or beginner, who are customers of the bank, space to hold brief business meetings, at no cost.
The bank said this is in line with its commitment to deliver exceptional support to its customers.
Yesterday’s event was attended by top management staff of the bank including other stakeholders.
In its bid towards identifying and celebrating excellence in business, economy and management, DOM Communications, publishers of Nigerian Pilot newspaper and Nigerian Newsworld magazine through its Leadership Forum yearly, awards unique achievements and achievers in various endeavours. Over the years, this tradition has underscored the hallmark of the company’s successes. – Nigerian Pilot.
