MWANZA: NMB Bank has won more than 30 prestigious awards in recognition of its investment in innovation, operational efficiency, performance, outstanding service and significant contributions to national development.
The Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Ruth Zaipuna, attributed these national and international accolades to the hard work of its employees and the bank’s investments in modern technology, aimed at providing innovative banking solutions for customers.
“The adoption of digital tools and automation has greatly enhanced NMB’s operational efficiency, driving financial inclusion, fostering economic growth and supporting sustainable development,” Ms Zaipuna said.
Ms Zaipuna made the statement in Mwanza yesterday during a meeting with senior executives and branch managers from over 240 branches.
For instance, by providing accessible banking services across the country, including rural areas, the bank has helped integrate the informal economy into the formal sector, expanding access to credit and financial tools.
On financial inclusion, Ms Zaipuna emphasised that through the Bank’s Rural Banking Strategy, they plan to ensure that every village in the country has access to financial services by next year. As of last month, NMB had already reached over 1,000 villages through this strategy.
She added that the initiative also facilitates the integration of the informal sector into the formal economy, while expanding the country’s tax base.
“We are also excelling in gender equality in the workplace and funding initiatives to empower and economically uplift women. As a result, we have won several awards in this area,” she noted.
She explained that 48 per cent of NMB employees are women, with 52 per cent being men. Some of the awards NMB won include the Best Bank in Tanzania for 2024 from Euromoney magazine, Best Innovation in Retail Banking for Personal Customers from International Banker Magazine and Best Bank for Financial Inclusion 2024 from World Economic Magazine.
She also noted that NMB has been recognised as the best bank, with its excellence in innovation reflected in new solutions introduced to the market, such as the NMB Jiwekee service launched this year.
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Awards related to gender equality include the Overall Winner – East Africa: Gender Equality Leader, Women Empowerment in the Workplace Award, Leading Institution for Investment in Young Women, and the Financial Medal – Distinguished Sponsor of Women Entrepreneurs.
Other notable international magazines and institutions that recognised NMB this year include the Global Banking & Finance Awards, Global Business Magazine, International Business Magazine, Global Brands Magazine, as well as the IFC and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE).
Additional awards won by NMB this year include Best Digital Bank, Best Bank for Investment in Tanzania, Best Bank for Retail and Business Customers and Best CEO in the Banking Sector in Tanzania.
This list also includes Best Bank for Small Customers 2024, Best Asset Manager of the Year, Best Bond Issuer, Best Bank for ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) and recognition for NMB’s innovative community bonds, the NMB Jamii Bond.
NMB Bank also won the Best Listed Company on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in the banking category. In May this year, the bank received awards for Best Bank for Special Customers and Best Bank for High NetWorth Customers.
“We also received the Best Bank for Loans and Strategic Projects and Best Trade Finance Bank Tanzania 2024 from International Business Magazine, as well as Best Trade Partner Bank – Advisory Services 2024 from the International Finance Corporation (IFC),” she added.
