Stakeholders seek sustenance of Sterling Bank’s global ranking

The ratings on Sterling Bank Plc among top 100 in the world, three in Africa and the Best Bank in Nigeria by Lafferty Group, an international rating agency has attracted commendation from stakeholders, among whom are customers.

The rating, based on key quantitative and qualitative criteria such as strategy, culture, customer care, brand promise and financial performance, recognised the bank’s service delivery and support for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

Some customers noted that the rating has further reinforced their confidence in the bank as it has become a major player globally in terms of provision of customer-oriented products and quality service delivery.

They also noted that the bank’s corporate social interventions in the education, sports, agriculture, environment and support for the growth of small businesses may have influenced the ratings.

A customer who is a major player in the automobile industry said: “Since l started banking with Sterling Bank, l have seen a lot of difference in terms of value addition to my business. Apart from providing funds, the bank goes a step further to provide free professional advisory services.”

Another customer at the Adeola Odeku branch said that with the rating, Sterling Bank has established the fact that provision of quality services is not about size “but how resourceful your personnel are and what you can bring to the table to support the growth of your customer’s business.

But Gbolahan Bello, an entrepreneur, noted that “a Bank that deemed it fit to organize a workshop to train small business owners on how to grow their businesses cannot be ignored because small businesses all over the world are the bedrock of the economy. The rating is well deserved.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Yemi Adeola, added: “Our Bank has remained resilient in a turbulent operating environment; and Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings has provided an objective view on the fundamentals of our business, by rating us 10th in the world, top 3 in Africa (after Capitec and Barclays Africa) and the top bank in Nigeria.