Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank’s new MD resume work

People wait in line on February 16, 2011 in front of a branch of the pan-African bank Ecobank in Abidjan. The Ivorian offices of two international banks, French BNP Paribas and US Citibank, were closed of February 14 after the west African regional bank BCEAO warned banks they risked sanctions if they dealt with Laurent Gbagbo's disputed regime. Gbagbo threatened on February 15 to take legal action against foreign banks Citibank and BNP Paribas after they closed their offices in the country. AFP PHOTO / SIA KAMBOU (Photo credit should read SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images)

Patrick Akinwuntan, the newly appointed Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria has assumed duty.

According to a statement, Akinwuntan is passionate about bringing customer-friendly banking services to every household in Nigeria.

“This means that Nigerians can expect a more customer-friendly Ecobank as well as continued market-leading banking innovation that will make their banking easier, more convenient and an overall better experience,” the statement added.

The Ecobank Group aims to be serving 100 million customers by the end of 2020 and intends for many millions of them to be in Nigeria.

Akinwuntan explained: “My mandate is to deliver the brand promise of Ecobank as a leading financial institution in Nigeria in the hearts of our customers by ensuring that we treat our customers well when they choose to open a bank account with us or do their payments, collections, savings and financing through us.

“In this manner, we will realise the vision of our founders, which is that Ecobank is the pan-African financial institution that empowers every African to realise their ambitions through convenient, accessible and affordable banking products and services delivered at a price point that is affordable to all and gives quality returns to shareholders.”

According to him, the foundation that the bank would serve the needs of its consumer, commercial and corporate clients through its digital solutions such as the Ecobank Mobile app, EcobankPay, Rapidtransfer, XpressAccount, Xpress Point agents, Ecobank OMNI and Bank Collect, hadbeen laid.

“Ecobank has built an unrivalled banking platform in Africa and we have earned several accolades within and outside Africa in the past decade which is a testimony of the transformational role we play in various markets in Africa.

“We will therefore continue to leverage the deep market knowledge of Nigeria that we have, our unrivalled pan-African reach, digital platforms, Ecobank branches and Ecobank agencies (EcobankXpress) to empower our customers, drive commerce, financial inclusion and support Nigeria’s renewed focus on becoming the trade hub of Africa.”

The new Managing Director and Regional Executive said he has the requisite skills, experience and background to enable a seamless transition as he takes up his new role. “My combined and diverse Group and country experience built over 20 years and covering virtually all key aspects of banking and the track record and trust built amongst my colleagues and customers of the bank will serve me well in this new role.” he explained.

“I am indeed privileged for the opportunity to serve in the noble mission of Ecobank, bringing financial integration to our continent and it is a particular pleasure to be able to now do so in Nigeria.”

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