BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Republic Bank of Grenada Ltd (RBG) was announced the winner of the 2011 Best Corporate Citizen Award Among Commercial Banks, for their outstanding contribution to the overall development and well-being of the citizens of the region.
The award was presented by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) last evening (Nov. 2), following the 16th Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture that was held at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium at the ECCB Headquarters.
RBG defeated eleven other commercial banks in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), taking three of the seven categories for which they were adjudged to have carried out their corporate social responsibilities to the highest level.
A Good Corporate Citizens Award was presented to the winner of each category while the Best Corporate Citizen Award was presented to the overall winner - the bank which demonstrates outstanding contribution to the social development of the ECCU through human resource development and sustained community outreach.
RBG won the Good Corporate Citizens Award for Environmental Awareness, Sports, and Customer Service.
The Bank of St. Lucia Ltd took home awards for Educational Development, and Cultural Development, while the Antigua Commercial Bank won the Community Outreach and Social Services category, and the Bank of Nova Scotia Antigua was announced the winner of the Financial Education and Empowerment category.
The other nominees were Caribbean Union Bank Ltd, Bank of Montserrat, CIBC/FirstCaribbean International Bank (Grenada), Bank of Nevis Ltd, Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank, Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd, National Bank of Anguilla Ltd, Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ltd.
These awards recognise the Banks for implementing and participating in initiatives designed to improve the quality of life of the members of the communities in which they operate.
The Environmental Awareness award recognises the Bank’s commitment to the preservation and conservation of the environment. The winner would have demonstrated active participation in initiatives which seek to improve the community and raise awareness of environmental issues; and clearly stated policies and practices to ensure the ethical and responsible conduct of its business, including the health and safety of employees, customers, communities and the environment.
The award for Educational Development recognises the Bank’s contribution to educational development programmes designed to improve the lives of individuals and families. The winning Bank would have shown support of adult education programmes; provision of comprehensive and affordable student loan programmes; promotion of computer literacy; provision of career guidance for school leavers; and contribution to research initiatives.
The recipient of the award for Sports would have established its commitment to the development of sports through the sponsorship of individual athletes, teams and leagues; contribution to the development of sporting talents and skills; and hosting and participating in sporting events.
The recipient of the award for Community Outreach and Social Services is selected based on outstanding contribution to community development and participation in community activities through contribution to and partnership with community organisations to address social challenges; commitment to promoting programmes designed to improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups; support for programmes that promote health and wellness; and initiatives that encourage a culture of giving and volunteerism among employees.
The award for outstanding contribution to Cultural Development is presented to the Bank that has supported and participated in projects aimed at promoting and advancing cultural development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The award for Financial Education and Empowerment recognises the commitment to promoting a better understanding of financial services and products, entrepreneurship and general savings and investment issues. The winner would have shown that it has implemented programmes to increase its customers’ understanding of the products, services and financial services it offers; established and provided support for programmes designed to promote a better understanding of financial planning and decision making; and Participated in the Junior Achievement Programme and activities to mark Financial Information Month.
The Good Corporate Citizen Award for Customer Service goes to the Bank that has demonstrated the ability to deliver highly personalised commercial and retail banking products and services through clearly stated policies and best practices which promote customer service excellence; conduct of customer feedback programmes and surveys; customer appreciation programmes; Improvement of facilities and services; and the effective use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
ECCB initiated the Best Corporate Citizen Awards among Commercial Banks in 1997.
