By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Pan-African financial services provider, United Bank for Africa (UBA), yesterday, restated its commitment to facilitating trade and investment between Africa and the rest of the world to drive operational efficiency.
The bank said it plans to do this through innovative products, services, and digital platforms that enhance customer experience and drive operational efficiency.
The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), UBA, Oliver Alawuba, gave the assurance in Lagos, at a Global Press Conference to mark the lender’s 75th anniversary.
Also present were the bank’s Group Deputy Managing Akinyemi Muyiwa; Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer, Alex Alozie; Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management, Ugochukwu Nwaghodoh; Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, and a host of other management staff.
Mr. Alawuba said: “Looking ahead, our vision is clear – to be the role model for African Businesses. UBA is one bank, uniting Africa, while connecting Africans to the World and the World to Africa.
“Our primary focus is to be the payment bank for Capital flows, trade and investments between Africa and the rest of the world.
“We are committed to expanding our presence, seizing growth opportunities, and delivering value to all stakeholders.
Collaboration and partnerships as exemplified by the $6billion SME funding agreement signed with the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be instrumental in achieving our strategic objectives.”
He added that “As we navigate through the ever-changing landscape, we remain committed to creating value for our shareholders and capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the market.”
Over the past 75 years, we have exemplified stability, reliability, and excellence in banking, achieving numerous milestones and positively impacting the communities we serve.
Banking excellence
Regarding the bank’s 75th anniversary, Mr Alawuba reiterated that “This milestone is not just a celebration of longevity, but a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence that have defined UBA’s journey over the decades.
“The past 75 years have been marked by stability and excellence, pillars upon which UBA’s legacy stands tall,” which earned it many firsts in the financial services industry.
Among these are:
- First bank in the Nigeria to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1970;
- First to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1978;
- First to install Automated Teller Machines (ATMs);
- First to open a branch in the USA and London; and,
- Pioneered mobile and chatbot banking.
He continued: “As you know, UBA operates in 20 African countries and in France, US, UK and UAE.
“Over the past 75 years, we have exemplified stability, reliability, and excellence in banking, achieving numerous milestones and positively impacting the communities we serve.
“Our financial strength and resilience have been key to our success, even amidst economic challenges.
“Our robust performance, especially in the past year, underscores our sound strategies and operational excellence.
“As we reflect on the significance of this epoch-making event, it is important to acknowledge that UBA means different things to different people.
“For some, UBA is a trusted financial partner; for others, UBA is a beacon of stability and reliability, a development partner in various local communities as well as a catalyst for African development.
“We are dedicated to deepening relationships with customers, employees, regulators, and other stakeholders for mutual benefit and long-term success.
“Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility is strong, with initiatives focused on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability; thus, making a concrete impact on communities across Africa.”
Also contributing, UBA’s Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, attributed the bank’s success to and financial strength to its robust customer experience.
He said: “UBA remains an attractive investment opportunity as it continues to deliver exceptional value to its shareholders.
“At UBA, innovation and digital transformation are at the heart of our future growth as we remain committed to enhancing the experience of our customers across all touchpoints while solidifying our position.
“We are committed to offering value that enhances the experience of our customers, while solidifying our position as a forward-thinking institution,”
Against this backdrop, Mr Akinyemi expressed confidence that UBA will surpass the recapitalization benchmark set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
