Co-operative Bank Managing Director, Doctor Gideon Muriuki, has been named the best Chief Executive Officer in the banking industry in Africa.
This is in recognition of the Bank’s decision to pay dividends to its 15 million shareholders during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the bank confirmed that Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Finance, the organizers of the African Banking Awards, had named Muriuki for leading the bank to great heights, with the bank recording commendable profits in recent years.
“Muriuki was recognized for the bold decision to sustain the payment of dividends to shareholders despite Covid-19, which offered a critical relief and most timely support to the over 15 million-member Cooperative movement,” read the statement.
Muriuki was also recognized for his leadership during the global pandemic, with the award organizers stating that many of the bank’s clients and the staff benefited from his remarkable leadership during the difficult financial period.
In addition, the award recognized the decision by the lender’s CEO not to push for staff retrenchment and opting to retain full staff complement during the pandemic.
Under the leadership of Muriuki, CO-OP bank has seen great expansion, with the bank acquiring additional banks, further making a name for them in the banking industry in Africa.
The awards also recognized the successful acquisition and stabilization of Jamii Bora Bank (renamed Kingdom Bank) as it offered much-needed stability to the local financial sector.
