Zenith: The bank of choice for Ghanaians

Zenith Bank Ghana achieved remarkable growth in all aspects of its operations.

Profits before tax jumped by 23.7% year-on-year to reach C251m ($56m) in 2017. The growth was mainly driven by new collaborations with strategic players in the industry as well as new developments and upgrades to both our traditional and e-banking product and service offerings.

Our financial performance indicators for 2017 grew in leaps and bounds relative to the previous year, which is testament to the exemplary work done by our hardworking staff. We have consolidated our position as one of the top ten banks in the industry, and part of a select group of banks that have sufficient capital to meet the Bank of Ghana’s new capital requirement of C400m ($88.44m), even before the stipulated deadline of 31 December 2018.

Products are key

At Zenith Bank, we pride ourselves on the development of innovative traditional and e-banking products and services that cater to the unique needs of our customers. We take deliberate steps to keep abreast with the global industry and technological trends so that we can remain at the forefront of competition at all times.

For example, Zenith GlobalPAY, a secured web-based collection gateway, which enables merchants to accept card payments in real time online from customers worldwide, is a first-rate e-banking product and service supporting merchants to set up shop on the internet and sell to global customers.

We are also tapping into the opportunities and possibilities that mobile money presents. Through the Bank’s Mobile Money Bank2Wallet Service, customers are able to link their mobile money wallets (be it with MTN or Airtel) to their bank accounts and conveniently transfer money between their accounts and wallets, as well as to remotely make payments for goods and services at any time of the day.

In the area of cards, we have a bouquet of Mastercard and Visa cards that enable customers to pay for goods and services in-store and online, as well as withdraw cash from Visa or Mastercard enabled ATMs worldwide. Most recent amongst these is the Zenith Bank Platinum Prepaid MasterCard, which is the first prepaid Platinum Card on the Ghanaian market.

With this card, the Bank’s high net worth customers, who are Platinum account holders, enjoy privileges and discounts from Mastercard and its partners.

Digital is key

Zenith Bank was adjudged “The Bank That Best Promotes Cashless Transactions” in Ghana for three consecutive years (2014, 2015, and 2016) at the Annual Ghana Banking Awards. This is an attestation that the bank has remained a pacesetter in the development of innovative digital products and services that assure its customers of convenience in banking, as well as facilitates financial inclusion for the unbanked.

We are also committed to developing new products and upgrading our robust IT platform, with the sole aim of improving our product and service offerings and by so doing meeting the dynamic needs of our esteemed customers.

Cross-border payments

Intra-Africa trade is low when you compare it to other regions in the world, although this situation has been steadily improving over the past decade. The comparatively low level of cross-border trade and payments may be attributed to the fact that the informal sector dominates in most African economies. 

Zenith Bank is, nonetheless, a market leader in cross-border payments in the areas of international trade and card payments. We are making it easier and more efficient for customers to carry out their commercial commitments, while giving them more options and flexibility to settle payments in the West African economic sub-region and increasingly, the entire continent.

Our vision is to be a reference point in the provision of prompt, flawless and innovative banking products and services in the Ghanaian banking industry. Through the right investment in the best people, environment and technology, the bank aims to be the market leader within the next five years focusing mainly on customer service delivery, financial performance, digital banking, a robust retail banking structure and brand repositioning.