Access Bank Plc has emerged the winner of the ‘African Banker Magazine Year 2010 Awards,’ as the most socially responsible financial institution of the year.

The award, which is organized by publishers of African Business, New Africa and the African Banker magazines, is designed to acknowledge excellence in banking and finance on the African continent. The award ceremony was held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington DC, United States of America on October 8, 2010.

The award underscores the Bank’s efforts at promoting the doctrine of responsible corporate citizenship through initiatives and programmes that address economic, social and environmental challenges.

The award is also designed by the organizers to recognize the reforms, rapid modernization, consolidation, integration and expansion of Africa’s banking and financial system.
It also seeks to recognize the hard work of companies and individuals in the financial sector that have changed the perception of Africa’s potential in domestic and international markets, and created new opportunities for citizens and communities all over the continent.

According to statement from Access Bank in Kigali, the nomination for the award was based on a rigorous screening of carefully considered, evaluated CSR, and sustainability initiatives that the banks had executed, to promote economic and environmental wellbeing.

The statement said that Access Bank’s recent CSR initiatives of impact include gender empowerment programme and the SME workplace policy programme, among others. Nominees for the Award included NED Bank South Africa and EFG Hermes Foundation, Egypt.

"Over the past 5 years, Access Bank Plc has acquired financial strength by adhering to socially responsible goals,” the statement said.

"The Bank has continuously displayed a strong commitment to global health issues by leveraging its people and financial resources to invest in successful health programmes in Nigeria and other African countries,” it added.

The bank recently demonstrated its reputation as a good corporate citizen by donating the sum of USD1 million to the Global Fund "Gift from Africa Project” to support the fight against the triple pandemics of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. This gesture makes Access Bank the single largest African private sector donor to the Global Fund.
With operations in the United Kingdom and nine African countries, Access Bank is firmly committed to deploying an effective CSR strategy that aligns with global standards and adds significant value to stakeholders, particularly its host communities. 

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