Spring 2015 Issue
> BANCO NACIONAL ULTRAMARINO: BEST RETAIL BANK MACAU 2014
Present in Macau since 1902, the Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) remains a cornerstone of the former territory’s – now a Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR) – financial sector and a driver of its development. To this day, the BNU is one of only two banks authorised by the Macau Monetary Authority (Autoridade Monetária de Macau) to issue Macanese patacas – a sign of the bank’s systemic importance. In July 2001, the Macau branch of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino – a Portuguese bank with a strong presence throughout the Lusophone world – was incorporated locally as a separate entity while the remainder of the BNU structure was merged into the Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), Portugal’s largest financial group. As part of the CGD network spanning four continents, Macau’s Banco Nacional Ultramarino – now the sole bearer of a venerable
name – maintained its global reach. BNU’s peerless knowledge of the Macau SAR, and over a century’s worth of accumulated international experience, allow the bank to offer a vast range of financial products and services that seamlessly match – and are likely to exceed – the expectations of even the most demanding customers – both private and corporate. Moreover, the Banco Nacional Ultramarino enjoys a distinct competitive advantage as a well-trodden bridge between the Chinese mainland and the wider world as accessed through the CGD network. The CFI.co judges noted that the bank’s stated aim of providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction and service quality is met in an apparently effortless manner. Over 220,000 Macau customers seem to agree. The judges, however, recognise that maintaining such outstanding quality in an exceptionally
competitive environment always requires hard work and dedication. BNU’s relentless pursuit of transparency, integrity, and excellence has earned it an exceptionally solid reputation. The judges remarked that while cognisant of its long history, the bank is consistently found at the leading edge of technological developments and, indeed, pioneered many innovations such as mobile and Internet banking. The bank was also the first to introduce a credit card payable in patacas. The CFI.co judges are particularly pleased to offer Banco Nacional Ultramarino the 2014 Best Retail Bank Macau Award in recognition of this bank’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to its customers, stakeholders, and the community.
> ALIOS FINANCE GROUP: BEST SME FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER AFRICA 2014
In order to prosper, create jobs, and thus drive Africa’s renaissance, small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent need ready access to bespoke credit solutions. Though this need is recognised almost universally, few financial services companies actually specialise in underwriting Africa’s promising SMEs. Alios Finance Group is one of only a handful of credit providers that help SMEs attain their full potential with a diverse array of products ranging from finance leases to investment loans via operating lease and hirepurchase arrangements. The company also offers loans directly to consumers. The group can trace its origins to 1956
and is currently active in ten countries, spanning the continent. Alios Finance Group enjoys a solid reputation and attracts both financial and operational support from the Dutch development bank FMO (Financieringsmaatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden), the Pan-African Investment Fund AfricInvest, the Finland development fund Finnfund, and a host of other discerning investors and top-rated banks. In 2013, Alios Finance Group disbursed over EUR154 million in financing to businesses (84%) and consumers (16%). The CFI.co judges noted that the company actively pursues an expansion of its geographic footprint, opening offices in Kenya and Tanzania, and CFI.co | Capital Finance International
expanding its presence in Zambia. Alios Finance Group is now the largest provider of credit solutions to SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa with a portfolio exceeding EUR250m. The judges commented that while the African market for asset finance is still in its infancy, it is a segment likely to grow exponentially over the next decade. Not only that; empowering the growth of Africa’s SMEs is a sure-fire way of tapping into some of the world’s potentially most lucrative pioneer markets. The judges feel entirely justified, and indeed privileged, to grant Alios Finance Group the Best SME Financial Solutions Provider Africa 2014. 71