Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc — parent company of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited — Mr. Segun Agbaje has been named Africa’s Banker of the Year during the 2015 World Finance Awards.
Receiving the award, an excited Mr. Agbaje said: “I am humbled and honored to be named Africa’s Banker of the Year. Every effort we put into our work goes to fuel our desire to always be the acme of excellence, and remain relevant to our customers while adding value to all stakeholders”.
In 2013, Mr. Agbaje was adjudged Best Banker at the Annual World Finance Banking Awards for his unrivalled performance in the banking sector. In the same year, he was named the Pan-African CEO of the Year by EMFA Magazine, a leading global publication that reports on major financial events in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Commenting on this year’s award, Mr. Agbaje attributed the success to the hardworking management and staff of Guaranty Trust Bank, saying: “The achievements recorded over the years would not have been possible without the collective effort and sheer determination of the staff, management and Board of the bank in ensuring we remain true to our core values of integrity, transparency and excellence in service delivery. This award is for us all”.
He further stated that: “As a bank, we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain our position as a clear and distinct financial institution in the African banking space in terms of service, profitability and human capital while maintaining our position as a Proudly African and Truly International brand”.
Since 2007, World Finance magazine has been celebrating individual and company achievements, innovation and brilliance through its annual awards. The judging panel boasts over 230 years of financial and business journalism, supported by a research team that works relentlessly to ensure award-winners are the most deserving in their sector. The magazine provides a comprehensive coverage and analysis of the financial industry, international business and the global economy yearly. The awards are tailored to provide a comprehensive analysis of the very best business leaders and institutions in each market.
Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited Mr. Lekan Sanusi extended a gratulatory message to Mr. Segun Agbaje, saying that: “It is a huge honour for all members of the GTBank Group. The banking industry is a very challenging one, and so it takes one with an extra edge to achieve as much as Mr. Agbaje has. We applaud the passion with which he works, and how driven he is to succeed. Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited is happy for him and GTBank Plc, and we believe in his ability to lead the Group to attain greater levels”.
The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best-run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries, and serves as a role-model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery and innovation.
General Manager of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited Mr. Daniel Attah attributed Guaranty Trust Bank Plc’s successes to the visionary leadership of Mr. Agbaje. “It takes a hard-working and unrelenting leader to steer a company to unrivalled success. His commitment to leading an efficient institution has ensured that GTBank maintains higher margins among its peers. We are happy for the honour bestowed upon him, and we know this will challenge him to do more and achieve more feats.”
According to Michael McCaw, the Group Managing Director of World Finance: “GTBank’s CEO, Segun Agbaje, has displayed astute foresight in positioning the GTBank brand at the forefront of Africa’s banking industry by providing alternative approaches to retail growth, which have brought about a boom in customers and profits, and fuelled expansions into newer, high-growth markets”.
This award comes barely a month after Guaranty Trust Bank Plc was internationally recognised and awarded for Good Corporate Governance, during the 2015 African Business Awards held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.