SINGAPORE: Bank Islam managing director (MD) Datuk Seri Zukri Samat has been named the ‘Trailblazer of the Year 2013’ by Banking and Payments Asia.
He received the award at the Trailblazer Awards 2013 ceremony at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore on Friday.
The Trailblazer Awards, organised by Banking and Payments Asia is acknowledged as one of Asia’s most reputable programmes for the retail banking and payments industry.
Now in its fourth year, the award was created to recognise and credit outstanding financial institutions and individuals who have exhibited a high degree of innovation and enterprise in product development, service delivery and process improvement.
The 2013 edition features participation from over 40 retail banks across the Asia-Pacific region and more than 100 submissions were received.
Zukri’s selection as the Trailblazer of the Year demonstrates the high regard the industry holds for him and reflects his industrious efforts in rehabilitating Bank Islam during the difficult period and turning the bank into a profitable and respected financial institution.
The judges were impressed with the turnaround plan he has put in place which has become a model for other Islamic banks.
The same panel of independent judges also acknowledged Zukri’s foresight in refocusing and diversifying the business by building a sustainable fee income and cross-border strategic alliances and partnerships as well as by reinventing the brand perception of Bank Islam.
The Trailblazer Awards 2013 also saw Bank Islam receiving Special Commendation in the Mobile–Financial Inclusion category.
The recommendation recognises the innovative features of the Bank’s TAP Mobile Banking-i (‘TAP-i’) offering, the first of its kind mobile banking product which does not require the use of Internet.
TAP-i has contributed immensely to eliminating the cumbersome aspects of typical mobile banking services and making them accessible to everyone.
Easy to apply, to use and highly secure, the product has been instrumental in promoting increased usage of mobile banking services among the masses.
The success of TAP-i has even led to other foreign banks in Thailand and Indonesia to launch similar products.
Commenting on the achievements, Zukri said, “This is an important milestone for the bank and another step in the right direction for the bank to become a major regional player.”
He said the achievement showed innovation is the key to the bank’s sustainability and its rising relevance to the industry.
“We are on the right track to become a global player in the Islamic financial industry,” he said.
Banking and Payments Asia is a Singapore-based high quality publication, providing exclusive news and incisive analysis on the latest developments and trends in retail banking, private banking and cards and payments throughout the Asia-Pacific region. — Bernama