Zenith Bank Plc on Wednesday was honoured with prestigious “Bank of the Year, Nigeria” title at the Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024, which was held in London.

The award, sponsored by The Banker Magazine, Financial Times Group, UK, was given in recognition of the company’s excellent management, effective business plan and strategy, and commitment to sustainability and ESG banking practices, the lender said in a statement on Wednesday.

One of the most sought-after and highly respected honours in the banking sector is the Banker’s “Bank of the Year” award.

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Zenith Bank’s CEO’s reaction to the award

Speaking about the honour, Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, stated, “We are delighted and honoured to have been recognised as the Bank of the Year, Nigeria in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024. This award is a testament to the unwavering trust and loyalty of our esteemed customers, the unparalleled leadership and guidance of the board and management as well as the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

“It also reflects our bank’s steadfast commitment to delivering excellent services to our customers and contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. We will continue to invest in innovative technologies, expand our range of products and services, and maintain our commitment to exceptional customer service to sustain our position as Nigeria’s number one bank,” she added.

In addition, Umeoji praised Jim Ovia, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, for his visionary work in creating the framework for a respectable, powerful, and internationally renowned financial organisation that is renowned for its innovation, exceptional performance, and generation of premium value for all stakeholders.

Past Zenith Bank awards

In recent years, Zenith Bank has received a lot of accolades.

For the sixteenth year in a row, the bank was named the top Tier-1 bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital in The Banker Magazine’s 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking.

In the Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2022, it was also named the Bank of the Year (Nigeria); in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards, it was named the Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria.

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Zenith Bank’s expansion to France

After receiving final approval from the French regulator, the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution, Zenith Bank inaugurated its Paris branch in November.

The financial institution claims that this is a component of its worldwide expansion plan and dedication to helping customers wherever their enterprises may be located worldwide.