FirstBank Harvests Three Awards

First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank), Nigeria’s pioneer and largest lender by market value, has clinched three awards in the United States, being rated the Best Bank in Nigeria 2010. The three awards bestowed on the Bank, during this year’s World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC on October 9, 2010 by Global Finance (GF) are “Best Bank in Nigeria, Best Trade Finance Bank and the Best Foreign Exchange Bank for 2010”.

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 only winner amongst the 25 banks in Nigeria. This makes it the sixth consecutive year the Bank has won the awards.

Announcing the award, 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.

The awards were received by a delegation of the Bank’s executives led by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Onche Ugbabe; and Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney. Also on the team is Head Media & External Relations, Mr. Steve Omanufeme. The awards ceremony was also attended by international economic and political facilitators.

This article was originally posted on Africa Banking Network