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Access Emerges Top in CSR Ranking

AccessBankPlchasbeenrankedthebestcompanyincorporatesocial responsibility(CSR)andsustainabilityinNigeriafortheyear2019,by ForbesAfrica.Therankingwasbasedonaresultdrawnfromimpact assessmentsof910organisationsoperatinginNigeriaoverthelast 13 years. According to the report, the ranking took into cognisance Access Bank’s participation in national projects, its recognitions, andratingsfrominternationalawardbodies,investmentinCSRand sustainability in the period under review. Reacting to the ranking, the Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc., OmobolanleVictor-Laniyansaid,“AccessBankhasacorporatestrategy andphilosophywhichplacessustainabilityatitscore.Weensurethat ourprojectsandinitiativesareimpactfulandstrategicallylinkedwith the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”. “Overtheyearswehaverecordedoutstandingresultsbyundertaking several initiatives across the country, and we are deeply honoured to be recognised as the overall best company in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan added. Having launched the Nigerian Green Bond Market Development Programme in June 2018, Access Bank’s determination to promote sustainable growth through funding of projects at a lower cost of capital, led to the issuance of a N15 billion (USD41 million) corporate greenbondin2019.Theissueisthefirst-everClimateBondsInitiative certified corporate green bond in Africa.