The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) has honoured 16 financial institutions and seven individuals for their excellence in the Ghanaian financial sector.

Fidelity Bank PLC was adjudged the Bank of the Year 2023 whilst Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director of First Bank Ghana was crowned Managing Director of the Year – banking category.

Other winners were OmniBSIC Bank Ltd, SME Bank of the Year; Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, Trade Finance Bank of the Year; Opportunity International Savings & Loans Ltd, Savings & Loans Company of the Year; Abii National Savings & Loans Ltd, SME Savings & Loans Brand of the Year and Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC, Rural Bank of the Year.

The rest are Atwima Kwamwoma Rural Bank PLC, SME Rural Bank of the Year; Fiaseman Rural Bank PLC, Rural & Community Bank Brand of the Year; Odotobri Rural Bank PLC, MSME Rural Bank of the Year and Mumuadu Rural Bank PLC; Most Promising Rural Bank of the Year.

Baobab Microfinance Company Ltd, Microfinance of the Year; FWF Microfinance Ltd; Microfinance Brand of the Year; Universal Microfinance Ltd, MSME Microfinance of the Year; Visionfund Ghana Ltd, Microcredit of the Year; SRF Micro-Credit Services, Microcredit Brand of the Year and Experts Consult Ltd, Debt Collection Agency of the Year were the other corporate winners.

For individual awards, Dr. Alexander Kwadwo Asmah, Chief Executive Officer of Amenfiman Rural Bank PLC was adjudged CEO of the Year, Rural Banking, whilst Kwame Owusu Boateng, CEO of Opportunity International Savings & Loans Lt was the Chief Executive Officer of the Year - Non-Bank Financial Institution (NBFIs).

Corporate Governance Personality of the Year went to Dr. Anthony Aubynn, Board Chairman, ARB Apex Bank; Microfinance Personality of the Year; Evelyn Osei-Tutu, CEO of Republic Boafo Ltd; Woman Of Excellence Leadership In Credit of the Year; Ivy Theresa Buagbe, General Manager, Credit - UMB Bank, and Credit Professional of the Year; Lanslord Asumakah, CEO, Maglans Micro Credit Services

The former President of the Ghana Banker Association and Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Alhassan Andani, who was the guest speak praised organisers of the event, saying, “It is important that we celebrate excellence and promote standards in the financial sector in Ghana”.

He also congratulated all winners for their hard work over the year and hoped banks, Specialised Deposit Takings Institutions, Rural and Community Banks, Microfinance Institutions and individuals in the financial sectors would rise and work together to raise the bar in the sector.

The 5th Ghana Credit Excellence Awards recognised the financial sector achievements and set a benchmark for excellence while rewarding innovative ideas that have pushed the boundaries of the sector.