Managing director/CEO of Nigeria’s leading non-interest bank, Jaiz Bank Plc, Hassan Usman has said the bank has done the financing of over 3000 houses for some of its customers within the last 10 years it has been in operations.
The MD also disclosed that the bank which started with only three branches in 2012 when it commenced operation, has grown the number of its branches to 45. He also mentioned that the bank’s balance sheet has been grown from N12 billion to over N300 billion as at December 2021.
Usman made the remarks yesterday when he led a delegation of the bank on a courtesy visit to the head office LEADERSHIP Group Limited, publishers of LEADERSHIP Newspapers in Abuja.
“Working with partners in the last 10 years, we have produced over 3000 houses across Nigeria, especially in the federal capital territory.
He said the housing projects were achieved working with different development companies,” he stated, ading “When it comes to mortgage, the number one bank to go is Jaiz Bank, especially in Abuja.”
The Jaiz Bank CEO who said the visit to LEADERSHIP was to appreciate the management and staff of the company for their support and cooperating in advancing the interest of the bank, said the bank has a decade-long relationship with the newspaper, which he said needs to be sustained for mutual benefit.
He claimed that the bank has consistently been growing at about 40 per cent in terms of profitability for the last five years. According to him, Jaiz Bank’s balance sheet has been growing at an average of 25 per cent for the last five years.
“We wouldn’t have made all these strides except by the support of institutions like LEADERSHIP who have been protecting the brand and ensuring that we get positive news reportage. We thank you and hope that we build on this relationship going forward,” he said in appreciation.
Earlier, senior vice chairman of LEADERSHIP Group Mr Azu Ishiekwene who welcomed the Jaiz Bank team felicitated with the bank for emerging tall and soaring with technology-based banking services from ground zero as the first non-interest bank in Nigeria.
“When it comes to cutting edge, you have shown within a short space of time that it’s not really age that counts but the quality of time and resources and clear thinking that you invest,” Mr Ishiekwene said, saying he is more pleasant with the bank’s “cutting-edge services you deliver even in ICT.
Between 2012 and now, the bank has built its staff strength to 500 members. “Your list of successes within such a short time is quite extraordinary. And we commend and rejoice with you,” he said.
Ishiekwene appreciated the bank for potronising the newspaper, which he said has contributed to make LEADERSHIP continue in business. He said there is value in the LEADERSHIP newspapers and Jaiz Bank partnership.
He used the opportunity to highlight some of LEADERSHIP’s expansionary inroad into the technology space, partnering Nigeria’s largest telecommunication company, MTN to serve its local and international audience. LEADERSHIP prides itself as the most influential newspaper in Nigeria.
The newspaper has 1.3 million Facebook followership and Twitter base of about 1.2 million followers. Ishiekwene told the visitors that LEADERSHIP is the biggest newspaper on TikTok, an emerging conversation platform that serves all communities. “As far as cutting-edge is concerned in terms of technology, we are available everywhere,” he said, adding that LEADERSHIP Group is investing in ways and places of value.
The MD said the bank is beginning a new era of aggressive expansion in its balance sheet, operational branches and customer-base.
He said the bank has overcome the initial resistance of perceived Islamic agenda to the extent that its services have been accepted by all, including non-Muslims.
10 years ago when it commenced operation, there was widespread concerns that the bank was up to pursue Islamic agenda to deliver on the mandate of whose who wanted to Islamise the country.
The MD said Jaiz Bank has distinguished itself as a non-for-profit bank and has impacted many companies and individuals with its inclusive services. He said Jaiz Bank has disbursed more than 75 billion financing for agriculture, while its small and medium enterprises financing portfolio has grown by over another N60 billion.
He has the bank limitless opportunities to explore, acknowledging that the Nigerian economy is challenged by the prevailing operational climate.
“We are strategising for the next 10 years,” he said without providing details. He simply said the bank will soon unveil its specific plans for the next decade.
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