Bisi Onasanya, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer FirstBank, has been named The Sun Banker of the Year in The Sun Awards 2014, in recognition of the several initiatives he championed to position FirstBank as a leading financial services group in Sub-Saharan Africa, whilst promoting the growth of the African Financial Services Industry as a whole. The Sun also congratulated Mr. Onasanya for the Bank’s big ticket transactions in the course of the year, especially the issue of a USD 450 million subordinated Tier 2 debt, the largest subordinated Eurobond ever issued by any Nigerian financial institution.
Mr. Femi Adesina, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspaper during a courtesy visit to Mr. Onasanya noted that the management of The Sun were impressed with FirstBank’s growth to enviable heights under the leadership of Mr. Onasanya, with its total assets now at over $30.3billion. Responding, Onasanya thanked the management of The Sun for the special award, stating the award would be a further inspiration for FirstBank to continue to partner with Nigerian businesses committed to the socio-economic development of the country.
In a similar development, Mr. Onasanya has also been awarded the Overall CEO of the Year 2014 in the maiden Newswatch Person of the Year Awards by Newswatch Communications Limited on account of the local and global business presence of the Bank under his leadership. The award was determined by an internet-based open ballot system, from which Mr. Onasanya emerged winner. The Newswatch Person of the Year Scheme is aimed at recognizing and celebrating significant performance of individuals, corporate, private and public organisations in various fields.
Responding to his nomination, Mr. Onasanya stated that the Bank would not rest on its laurels but will remain poised to drive innovation and transformation in the industry, to build a global brand that will positively impact on the financial services needs of all stakeholders. “We would keep up the momentum, resilience and flexibility to better meet growing customer expectations” he stated.