Co-operative Bank has emerged the best bank in Kenya after scooping three awards in the 2018 Banker Africa Awards organized by CPI Financial.
During the Thursday night event in Nairobi, Co-operative Bank scooped The Best Retail Bank, The Best SME Bank, and the Best Investment Institution in Kenya awards.
The winners of the Banker Africa Awards are selected by registered readers of CPI financial products and services, who are peers in financial services.
[caption caption="Director Retail Banking Arthur Muchangi and Head of Investor Relations James Kaburu receiving the awards"]
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According to CPI Financial: "Those institutions short-listed are not necessarily the largest, rather they are the best."
"The Awards are designed to reward innovation and the ability to gain market share not simple size."
Group Managing Director Gideon Muriuki indicated that the win was a result of the lender building a model that focuses on addressing the long-term goals of the customer.
"We have over the years worked hard to build a model that enables us to stay close to the customer, listen to their needs and glean insights on their long-term goals
"We can confidently say we are offering the most competitive value proposition that SMEs and Retail clients can expect to ever get in this market," Muriuki noted.
Kenya Bankers Association CEO Habil Olaka challenged financial institutions to innovate constantly in order to align with new technologies, such as blockchain.
[caption caption="The Cooperative Bank team during the awarding ceremony"]
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Olaka noted that such technologies such as Fintech that apply artificial intelligence and deep learning are useful in enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Other institutions feted include KCB Group which was named the Best Retail Bank in the East African region.
Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi was also named the Banker of the Year during the Gala held at Radisson Blu Hotel.
Equity Bank scooped several awards including Best Commercial Bank in East Africa and Best Digital Offering in East Africa.
