Zenith bank with total assets and contingents of over $10billion yesterday officially opened it doors for public business.
Zenith Bank is one of the largest banks in Nigeria with shareholder’s funds of about a billion dollar, and staff strength of over 7,000 employees.
About a year ago Zenith Bank (SL) was incorporated and on 11th September this year the bank was granted license to operate as a commercial bank.
In his commencement day address, Zenith Bank (SL) Ltd. Managing Director Wale Adeniyi said, “we are bringing to Sierra Leone, Superior Banking Services which will be provided through our wide range of commercial banking services and products.”
He disclosed that the bank will provide conventional banking products and services like: “Current accounts, Savings, Deposit, Lending, Foreign exchange, Treasury management, among others.”
However, he said, “these services and products will be deployed in the well-know ‘Zenith Style’ which essentially uses modern, state of the art technology.”
The Managing Director explained that “in addition to the conventional products, we will be unfolding gradually as we settle down. Our desire is to provide customer-focused services that make for lasting customer loyalty. And our mission is to invest in the best people, technology, and environment to underscore our commitment to achieving customer enthusiasm,” he explained.
Giving a brief historical development of the bank, Mr Adeniyi said, “Zenith Bank Sierra Leone is a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc Group. Zenith Bank Plc started operations in 1990. Over the years, it has grown from a one branch bank in Nigeria, to a bank with over 250 branches; and then to a banking group with subsidiaries in U.K., Ghana, and now Sierra Leone. And from a banking group to a Financial services group with subsidiaries in Capital Market, Trust Services, Registrar, Medicare, Pension custodian, and insurance,” he explained.
Highlighting the bank’s achievements, Mr Adeniyi averred, “Zenith Bank has consistently been highly rated; noting that it has been rated triple A by Agusto & Co. for nine consecutive years. It was also rated as the best bank in Nigeria (2008) by Euromoney. In 2008, it was awarded as the most customer- focused Bank by KPMG and was in 2007 also was awarded the most corporate socially responsible bank in Africa by African Banker and many more…” he explained.
Adeniyi assured, “we will replicate our success story in Sierra Leone.”
“We believe that Sierra Leone is not only on the path to economic recovery and growth, but also of sustainable development,” the MD accentuated.
He also noted that the government of Sierra Leone has already taken a number of critical steps to stabilize the economy and fast-track the revitalization of various sectors.
“The positive posture of the government coupled with the stable and deepening democratic culture has made Sierra Leone a preferred investment destination,” he disclosed.
He predicted the booming of Sierra Leone’s economy, and assured their contribution towards that process.