Companies

NFC Bank aims to make life easy for its customers in the Central African country of Cameroon. In a complex and demanding world, this is a tall order, but as Aelred Fokwen explains, NFC has been remarkably successful, drawing in many members of the country’s enormous population of previously unbanked who benefit from the bank’s commitment to branch expansion and digital solutions.

The familiar adage We learn best from our own mistakes is particularly apt for Bank Islam, which in the past 10 years has completed a turnaround that saw it recover from a state of crisis to gain its current status as Malaysia’s Islamic-banking leader. Its transition from multiple mainly credit-related failures to overwhelming successes is an inspiration for struggling banks the world over.

Ithmaar Bank, a Sharia-compliant Islamic retail bank in Bahrain, recently underwent a reorganization that is ensuring its growth and profitability for years to come. CEO Ahmed Abdul Rahim points to several factors in achieving success in today’s challenging world of Islamic finance.

Economies dependent on oil exports have been devastated by the sharp drop in oil prices, including Africa’s second-largest oil exporter, Angola. Despite the gloom, Banco Angolano de Investimentos, the country’s largest private bank, has swum against the down currents of its banking peers by delivering net income growth and successfully exploiting numerous rewarding market opportunities.

Mauritania, a West African primarily Islamic country, has been served by BMCI, a bank with strong international connections that has grown alongside its determination to allow its customers’ needs to dictate its direction, for just over 40 years. BMCI has become the preferred financial partner of thousands of Mauritanians, propelling it to the top of its industry.

Gulf Bank has served customers in Kuwait, which is as rich in cultural heritage as it is in natural resources, for nearly 60 years. During that time, it has evolved with changing demands, and Laila Al-Qatami, head of corporate communications, explains how the bank is still progressively transforming its business model to adapt to rising challenges such as technological innovation and gender parity.

Union Bank of the Philippines is committed to “Make Da Diff” for its customers, and nowhere is the bank’s commitment to fulfilling this motto more evident than in its resolve to foster digital innovation throughout all of its operations. By defining financial technology in its region, UnionBank has taken the lead in meeting the ever-evolving digital needs and expectations of its rapidly expanding customer base.

UnionBank is reaping the rewards of its pioneering vision and taking on a dominant role in its own territory. President and COO Edwin Bautista has been a main instigator of the bank’s forward thrust, which encompasses a plan to maximize customer satisfaction while ensuring that each and every employee successfully completes the bank’s digital journey. 

Today International Banker is joined by Ricardo Cuesta, CEO of Produbanco, to discuss the bank’s continued strong year-end performance and commitment to innovation in retail banking.

Ecuador’s economy has been in recession for more than a year, but banking leader Produbanco has not receded with it. In fact, the bank has consistently proceeded by staying focused on its strategic plan, and it is set to advance further as economic conditions improve for the Latin American country.