United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named African Bank of the Year 2021 by the Banker Magazine, a finance news publication published by the Financial Times of London.
The organisation’s financial performance, excellent service delivery and facilitation of rapid economic development in Africa were some of the reasons that led to its being named best bank in 12 of its African subsidiaries and in Nigeria.
UBA Nigeria Plc, UBA Benin, UBA Burkina Faso, UBA Cameroun, UBA Chad, UBA Congo Brazzaville, UBA Cote d’ Ivoire, UBA Gabon, UBA Guinea, UBA Liberia, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone and UBA Zambia all came out as best financial institutions in their respective countries.
In 2020, six of its subsidiaries in Benin, Cote d’ Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zambia were winners of the best bank award. This year, the group is breaking a record with its exceptional wins as African Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in 13 nations.
The 14 awards make it the first time ever in the history of the almost 100 years of The Banker, that any banking group would be clinching such a number in a single year.
At the virtual ceremony, which held on December 1, the Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, John Everington, explained that a rigorous and highly analytical process “is made yearly to reach the decision for each Bank of the Year award and the institution’s reputation for independence, authority and integrity is thoroughly applied to each submission.”
He went on: “While several African banks impressed the judges this year, there was no doubt as to the worthiest recipient of the Bank of the Year for Africa –UBA Group – a clear winner across a wide range of criteria. UBA has performed impressively across its footprint with a strong financial performance across most of its markets.”
Reacting, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, submitted: “Like I always say, at UBA, we must be doing something right. Winning 14 total awards in 13 subsidiaries and the Bank of the Year on the African continent is a big achievement.”
He added: “The recognitions come as a reassurance that we are on track in consolidating our leadership position in Africa, as we continue to create superior value for all our stakeholders. We have our millions of customers across the globe and our many thousands of staff to thank for this.
They are the very reason why we keep winning.”
