U Bank received the Domestic Initiative of the Year – Pakistan Award by Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Wholesale Banking Awards 2022 for its performance in 2021-2022. The award was presented to appreciate U Bank’s issuance of its first-ever Social Impact Bond, aimed to be used to finance loans for renewable energy, private schooling, low-cost housing, and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), primarily in rural Pakistan. This innovative social initiative was widely applauded by ABF Wholesale Banking Awards that honor outstanding banks that have introduced groundbreaking wholesale banking solutions, products, and services that proved to be an industry game-changer.
U Bank bagged two internationally recognized awards from Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Retail Banking Awards 2022 for its performance in 2021-2022. U Bank was announced as the Microfinance Bank of the Year and was presented with the Islamic Banking Initiative of the Year – Pakistan. These accolades paid tribute to U Bank’s tireless endeavors over the past seven years towards increasing financial inclusion in the country and serving the unbanked population. ABF also recognized our introduction of Islamic banking services in Pakistan providing our clients with tailor-made, Shari’ah-compliant solutions for their financing needs. The Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards celebrate Asia’s banking leaders and highlight deserving banking candidates on their innovative product strategies to create a larger impact.
U Bank Islamic Banking received the prestigious international award for Upcoming Islamic Retail Banking Window in Pakistan 2022 during the 8th Islamic Retail Banking Awards 2022, hosted by Cambridge IFA in Indonesia. The award honored U Bank’s introduction of Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions in Pakistan and came soon after U Bank’s full-scale commercial launch of Islamic Banking services nationwide. The bank’s Islamic Banking services were piloted in 2022 and encompass many cities across Pakistan, thus financially including the segment of society that seeks banking services in line with Islamic values.
U Bank won the ABF Retail Banking Award 2021 for “Rural/Cooperative Bank of the Year – Pakistan”. With a gross absence of banking facilities in rural areas, winning the Rural Bank of the Year award recognizes U Bank’s efforts in ensuring the availability of modern banking services to our core customer group.
During the Global Good Governance – 3G Awards 2022 U Bank was awarded the 3G Excellence in Financial Inclusion Award and 3G Best Microfinance Bank in Pakistan. The Global Good Governance Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge individuals, institutions, and organizations around the world for their impact-driven work carried out with social responsibility and good governance.
Vision, Strategy, and Business Impact – Proactive Community, Government Relations, Philanthropy – Proactive Services & Products Development – Proactive
During the Global Business Outlook Awards in May 2021, U Bank was awarded as the Fastest Growing Microfinance Bank Pakistan. The Global Business Outlook Awards seek to recognize and reward excellence in businesses around the world. They are designed to facilitate the outstanding work of businesses and business leaders across industries, in terms of performance, innovation, and drive to create industry value.
During the Global Good Governance – 3G Awards held on May 25, 2021, U Microfinance Bank was awarded The 3G Creativity and Innovation Award and U Bank’s President & CEO Mr. Kabeer Naqvi won The 3G Best Emerging Leader in Corporate Sector Award. The Global Good Governance Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge individuals, institutions, and organizations around the world for their impact-driven work carried out with social responsibility and good governance.
U Bank was awarded the Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmark (GDIB) awards in the following 3 categories: 1- Vision, Strategy and Business Case – Proactive 2- Community, Government and Social Responsibility – Progressive 3- Products and Services – Progressive These annual awards, that are built upon benchmarks of the Center for Global Inclusion and organized by HR Metrics, recognize progressive organizations across Pakistan that use GDIB standards for sustainable financial and social performance.
This year, U Bank was awarded the ABF Corporate & Investment Banking Award 2020 for “Microfinance Syndication Deal of the Year – Pakistan” category. The Syndicate Term loan was executed between U Bank and Allied Bank Limited in the last week of December 2018, with a drawdown in trenches, with the purpose of fueling business expansion and growth in the loan portfolio.
U Bank was awarded the Best Emerging Microfinance Bank 2020 during the Global Good Governance – 3G Awards held on June 8, 2020. The Global Good Governance Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge institutions and organizations around the world for their impact-driven work carried out with social responsibility and good governance.
U Microfinance Bank has been honored as the Best Microfinance Bank for Islamic Retail Banking Offerings in Pakistan 2024 at the 10th Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA) hosted by Cambridge IFA. The ceremony, held in Dubai, recognized U Bank’s trailblazing efforts and significant contributions to promoting Shari’ah-compliant financial services in Pakistan. U Bank has established itself as a pioneer in the microfinance industry by introducing Islamic banking services at an extensive scale in Pakistan.