Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Magazine’s
Best Banks Awards 2022, retaining the award for a third consecutive year. The Bank was
among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance
announced its 29th Annual Best Bank Awards Winners.
The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate
financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Global Finance
considered factors that ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective in
selecting the top banks. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability,
geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in
products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts,
banking consultants and others involved in the industry.
Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Mr
Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award is a testament to our tenacity despite a very challenging
macroeconomic environment. Indeed, being recognised, for the third consecutive year, is an
acknowledgement of the resilience of the Zenith brand as the leading financial institution in
Nigeria.” He lauded the contributions and efforts of the Bank’s key stakeholders – the Founder
and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CON, for his pioneering role in building the structures and laying the
foundation for an enduring and successful institution, the Board for the outstanding leadership
they provide, the staff for their commitment and dedication as well as the Bank’s customers for
their unwavering loyalty and support.
Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential
banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the
banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa,
AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the
Middle East, North America and Western Europe.
Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other
financial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for
the global financial community. Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global
Finance, said: “With the financial world in a state of turmoil from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
corporate leaders face a new set of challenges concerning the choice of their banking
relationships.” According to him, “following on the enormous difficulties wrought by the
pandemic, these changes demand increased attention to global commercial relationships. Our
awards support decision-makers in selecting the best financial partners.”
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards,
including being voted as Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria in the World Finance Banking
Awards 2021, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and
2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, and Best in
Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 and 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom.
Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker
Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1
Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail
Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards
2020 and 2021.
Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay
Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and
Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in
Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company
in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible
Organisation in Africa.
