Spring 2020 Issue
> BNP PARIBAS: MOST ESG RESPONSIBLE INTERNATIONAL BANK GLOBAL 2019
This leading European bank with an international presence in 72 countries, is well positioned to move the needle on the global energy transition. In response to the climate emergency, BNP Paribas in 2015 realigned its financing and investment criteria to support the objectives outlined by the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It began by cutting funding for new coal facilities and doubling financing for players in climate change transition and renewable energies. The bank pledged to
increase financing to €15 bn ($16.8 bn) by 2020. When it exceeded its target a full year early, it set a revised target of €18 bn ($20.2 bn) by 2021. Committed to accelerating the global energy transition, BNP Paribas is restructuring its portfolio to eliminate exposure to thermal coal in the European Union within the next decade and world-wide by 2040. The bank tracks its progress — and wins points for transparency — by publishing annual reports that breakdown financing activity by energy source and power
generation. In 2019, BNP Paribas was the leading financer of renewable energy projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while ranking third in Asia and in the world overall, contributing nearly $3 bn in new project financing. BNP Paribas has a decades-long history of supporting energy producers, and the climate change strategy it has implemented will spur the industry’s sustainable transformation. The CFI.co judging panel presents BNP Paribas with the 2019 award for Most ESG Responsible International Bank (Global).
> CREDIT SUISSE: BEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES EUROPE 2020
Credit Suisse, founded in 1856, has earned a reputation as a reliable financial partner. The Swiss multinational has a global presence, with branches in major financial hubs. Clients appreciate Credit Suisse’s strict bank-client confidentiality policy and superior wealth management services. The bank begins every client relationship with a Q&A session to understand the long-term investment goals. It then assigns each client a dedicated personal advisor and invites them to plan for a financially
secure future with one of three investment accounts. Credit Suisse offers a full-service solution — the Compact Invest Mandate — that requires minimal input from clients. The clients define the investment strategy — and the Credit Suisse team executes it. Seasoned investors may opt for the more flexible Expert MyChoice Mandate and take charge of their own wealth management. This high-touch service is supported by a personal manager and an investment consultant, who co-ordinate
with the client — daily, if need be — to identify opportunities and hedge against risks. Credit Suisse also provides professional wealth management in a tried-and-true fund format. The bank employs more than 45,000 professionals, including some 3,500 dedicated relationship managers who monitor client portfolios and analyse global trends. The CFI.co judging panel commends the bank’s customer-centric approach and presents Credit Suisse with the 2020 award for Best Wealth Management Services (Europe).
> QNB ALAHLI: BEST SME BANK EGYPT 2020 AND BEST RETAIL BANK EGYPT 2020
QNB Alahli has won the trust of the Egyptian people — and a leading share of the country’s financial market. The QNB Group subsidiary follows a robust commercial strategy that has solidified its position as a market leader, delivering one of the lowest non-performing loans, and one of the highest loans-to-deposits ratios, in the sector. QNB Alahli offers financial products and services tailored to the needs of retail customers, corporate clients and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises). It practises continuous innovation to update products and launch new services in
anticipation of market trends and client demands. For retail clients, QNB Alahli offers current and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and term-specific time deposits, as well as a full line of credit facilities and digital services. It invites high-net-worth individuals to explore its premium banking services, with preferential rates and exclusive benefits. QNB Alahli rolls out the red carpet for business clients through specialised programmes dedicated to services, consulting, and financing. It hit the government target of a 20 percent SME portfolio a full year CFI.co | Capital Finance International
ahead of schedule. It has established long-term relationships with entrepreneurs and helped companies grow and flourish. In co-operation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, QNB Alahli supports the Women in Business programme, which provides training resources, networking events and advisory services for female-led projects and SMEs. QNB Alahli has consistently fared well in previous CFI.co awards programmes, and this year the judges present it with dual awards for 2020: Best SME Bank and Best Retail Bank (Egypt). 87