Prime Bank among top Asian Covid-19 responders

Prime Bank Limited has earned international recognition as Asia's one of the best responders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

London-based reputed media publication, Euromoney, has conferred 'Excellence in Leadership in Asia 2020 Award' to the bank in recognition of its large scale initiatives in time of the pandemic, said a media release on Monday.   

This is a unique feat for the bank as it is the only bank from South Asia to earn the title in 2020.

The honour has put the bank in the exclusive echelon along with global giants like Goldman Sachs and Royal Bank of Canada in the North America, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole in Europe, HSBC in the Middle East, Citi NA and DBS Singapore in Asia who also won the title this year.

This international award comes in 2020 which marks 25 years of fabulous journey of Prime Bank in the country's economic development and national progress.

In this very anniversary year, the bank has also won the 'Best Bank in Bangladesh Award' from New York based Global Finance magazine.

The bank's digital banking initiatives have also been recognised by Hong Kong based financial publication, AsiaMoney, with 'Best Digital Bank Award in Bangladesh'.

Euromoney's Awards for Excellence are the awards that matter to the banks and bankers who matter. More than 1,000 corporate organisations from five continents vie for the international accolade.

In the award citation, Euromoney said, "Prime Bank has barely paused during the Covid-19 crisis. The Dhaka-based bank was an early mover on coronavirus in south Asia, raising awareness about the pandemic among employees as early as January 30."

"As the virus took a grip on the region, the Prime Bank, under the leadership of managing director and CEO Rahel Ahmed, found new ways to help workers and customers alike."

"Since the start of the year, it has joined forces in Bangladesh with five domestic NGOs, including the Bidyanondo and Jaago foundations, to raise much needed funds for under-pressure communities," it said.

Euromoney also said, "It (Prime Bank) has shown consistent willingness to be a leader in its home market in the last few turbulent months by promoting awareness of cyber security and fraud prevention, and by forming partnerships with hospitals and health centres in a country that struggles to meet the medical needs of its citizens at the best of times."

"Employees working from home have been given a free pass to speak – virtually, via Zoom and Webex – with health experts at 25 hospitals nationwide. Prime Bank has also been at the forefront of a national effort to support companies that drive invaluable export earnings," it continued.

On getting international laurels, Rahel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Prime Bank, said, "It is a great honour and a matter of great pride for Prime Bank Family to be recognised as one of the best in Asia in Covid-19 response."

"From the day one of the outbreak of the pandemic, we put utmost priority on well-being and safety of our colleagues, our customers and the community. We took some proactive and quick measures to adapt to the evolving situation as Covid-19 crisis unfolded," he added.

"We have been able to continue to provide uninterrupted services to the valued clients at the same time ensuring safety and security of the frontline staff. We allowed work from home for the majority of the employees while not permitting any compromise on quality of customer service," he further said.