29 Jan 2017

The International Finance Magazine (IFM) Awards has named First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) the 2016 Best Commercial Bank in Botswana.
International Finance Magazine Awards recognises and honours outstanding performance, best-in-class services and excellence in the financial services industry.

The magazine is based in the United Kingdom.

In a press release from FNBB, the bank’s chief executive officer, Mr Steven Bogatsu, says he sees the prestigious award as the outcome of the bank’s commitment to giving its customers innovative solutions that suit their needs at every stage of their growth.

“We are proud that we have been given this award. It is a testament to our response to the challenges in the market, where we have been able to deliver strategic banking solutions to our customers. Our customers are more discerning, and more demanding in their expectations of us,” said Mr Bogatsu.

“The imperative has been for us to become more aligned and to streamline our offering in response. I would like to thank our customers for their patronage and FNBers for their continued focus on keeping FNB the client’s most preferred financial partner,” he added.

The Best Commercial Bank Award is given to those who make a contribution to raising the bar in the financial industry through activities of note.

These include; path-breaking initiatives in corporate social responsibility or charitable activities, excellent corporate governance and other achievements that impact the global finance community.

Apart from recognising key performers in the industry, as per the release, IFM Award makes a concerted effort to shine the spotlight on organisations in niche segments and those that exhibit brilliance in the unsung corners of the finance industry.

Over the years, the release says FNBB received the following awards; Global Finance’s Best FX Providers, Best Trade Finance Bank in Botswana by Global Trade

Review, most Innovative Commercial Bank Botswana by Global Banking and Finance Review, most Innovative Bank of the Year by BAI-Finacle Global Banking

Innovations competition, best Commercial Bank in Botswana by World Finance Banking Awards and best Bank in Botswana by Euromoney Awards for Excellence.

The bank’s success, as stated by the FNBB chief executive officer is attributable to the bank’s strategy of always putting customers first coupled with the ability to harness technology for banking efficiency that add significant value to customers.

The International Finance Magazine Awards ceremony took place in London on January 26, 2017.

The prestigious event was attended by the finance fraternity, CEOs and members of various boards across the world.

The IFM Awards are in their fifth year. The companies shortlisted are either nominated by themselves or by the magazine’s readership.

The short list is decided by the IFM research team, an external research agency, the editor and the publisher.

The award takes into consideration the net profitability and market share of the banks, as well as their contributions to the societies in their area of operations. BOPA