The Co-operative Bank of Kenya was named the best bank in Kenya for three years in a row in this year’s Africa Banking Awards 2020 organized by EMEA Finance. Co-op carried the same mantle in 2018 and 2019.
The award was set up to recognize financial institutions that have a focus on clients and sound leadership to increase profitability, deliver affordable credit to the retail and wholesale markets, and support local and transnational corporations to do business.
The bank has been praised for its efforts to support individuals and businesses in Kenya as well as using its business to positively impact the lives of Kenyans. A month earlier, Co-op Bank’s energy manager Mr. Albert Ouma was named the “Energy Manager of the Year” in Sub Sahara.”
Co-operative Bank also joined the United for Wildlife 2018 Mansion House Declaration, committing to fight the illegal trafficking in wildlife by way of building illegal wildlife trade into existing financial crime compliance programs.
The co-op was also named Overall Winner of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) 2019 Sustainable Finance Catalyst Award. The Awards recognize institutions that practice sustainable finance which has a direct positive impact on the financial sector, the economy, the environment, and society.
Co-op Bank has achieved significant milestones from the various energy efficiency and conservation projects. Through the Lighting Efficiency Project, the Bank has realized up to a 20 percent reduction in energy costs at facilities where the project has been undertaken.
Co-operative Bank, also, realized an overall electricity cost reduction of 13 percent compared to the year 2018 baseline, from the various energy efficiency and conservation projects. The bank was named Overall Winner of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) 2019 Sustainable Finance Catalyst Award.
Co-operative Bank also signed a joint scheme with CFAO to enable farmers and cooperative societies to acquire up to 80 percent financing to purchase farm implements, machinery, accessories, and equipment that came at a better time when farmers needed it the most.
The world is changing from traditional to mechanized farming. Furthermore, it will go a long way in supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s food security agenda. This will also ensure that the country is able and capable of feeding herself and issues of hunger will be history.