FirstBanc Financial Services, a licensed investment banking firm operating in  Ghana, over the weekend was adjudged the best investment company of the 2017 edition at the Ghana Investment  Awards.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, was organized by the Ghana Securities Industry Association in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

The bank beat 22  brokerage firms and 102 investment advisory bodies and investment companies to win the prestigious awards for two consecutive times.

Minister of Finance, Dr Ken Ofori Atta, and other stakeholders in the sector were also honoured for their immense contribution to the development of the capital market industry in Ghana.

Those honoured on the night also included Mr Adu Anane Antwi, former Director of Securities and Exchange Commission; Dr Sam Mensah, an investment consultant; Mr Yoofi Grant, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center and Lawyer  Kojo Graham.

Others include CEO of  HFC Bank, Mr Asare Akuffo while  Prof. George Kofi Ansah Ofosu Amaa, former Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Ghana received Life Time  Achievement Award.

The prestigious Ghana Investment Awards (GIA) was established to recognize excellence in the Ghana investment banking industry.

The awards, which is in its seventh edition assessed the performance of 22 brokerage firms and  102 investment advisory firms licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and all listed equity as well on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).

 In all three nominees were shortlisted for each award in 14 categories. The first and second runners-up were presented with either a silver and bronze certificate respectively while the winner received a  trophy as the gold prize.

In an interview after the award, the Managing Director of the Firstbanc Brokerage Services Edem Agbanyo attributed the company's success to the hard work of his team over the years.

"We look out for excellence and therefore strategized to be sure we offer excellent services to our clients and you know in investment the bedrock is research," said Mr Agbanyo.

On how the award is going impact on the company's performance the MD promised to uphold the same high excellent service standards that won his firm the accolade.

He said winning the award for two consecutive times attests to the fact that the service the company offers is recognized by the industry.

BELOW IS A FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY

Investment  Bank of the year FirstBanc Financial Services

Broker: Dealer of the Year Award; Databank Brokerage Ltd.

 Research Analyst House of the year : Firstbanc  Benjamin Amoah

 Deal of the year:  I.C. Securities

 Balanced Fund of the year: UMB Bank

Equity Fund of the Year:  HFC REIT Investments Ltd

Asset Management  company of the year: EDC Investments Limited

Research House of the Year:  UMB Stockbrokers Ltd

 Investment Manager of the Year  Bora Capital Advisors Ltd.

Money Market Fund of the year First Fund- FirstbanC  Financial Services Ltd.

Balanced Fund of the Year: EM Balanced Fund- EM Capital Ltd.

Fixed Income Fund of the Year : EDC Ghana Fixed Income Trust- EDC Ghana Ltd

Portfolio Manager of the Year Award Gold winner- Alex Acheampong-First Fund (FirstbanC Financial Services Ltd.)

 Asset Manager of the Year :  EDC Ghana

Asset management  of the year :  Databank Investment Management Services  Databank Brokerage Ltd

 Most Promising Young Investment Professional of the Year –Under 28  Josephine Kuorkor Kotey, BSc,  GSE -FirstBanC Financial Service. Ltd

Portfolio Manager of the year  Alex Acheampong-First Fund (FirstbanC Financial Services Ltd.)