It is an African tradition to say “Thank you” when someone gives you something or does something good for you.

It was in this vein that Oceanic Bank Gambia Limited last Friday, 6 March 2009, organised a ‘thank you’ cocktail in honour of its clients. The well attended cocktail was held at the high class Sheraton Hotel in Brusubi. It was graced by various shakers and movers on the country’s business scene as well as people from other walks of life. The various attendees came in recognition of the vital role that one of the latest entrants to the banking sector is playing in the country’s economic advancement.

In a brief statement at the occasion, Olumuyiwa Eleazar Ogunmilade, managing director of Oceanic Bank Gambia Limited, thanked the bank’s clients for their patronage. “Thank you all for your encouragement because without you, there will be no us,” he said, adding “We deeply appreciate you”. He went on to describe The Gambia as a peaceful country, with an abundance of religious tolerance, ethnic harmony and gave it the thumbs up as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa.

Explaining these as some factors responsible for Oceanic Bank’s arrival in The Gambia, he also added that the bank’s mission is “to become a global bank”.

Background
Oceanic Bank is currently located in countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. It is currently the second biggest bank in Nigeria. The  eighteen year old bank commenced business on June 12, 1990 at the Waterfront Plaza, Plot 270, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on June 25, 2004.

In 2008, the bank was reported as being the most profitable bank in Nigeria by ainewswire.com. The bank’s rapid growth and progress was attributed by the managing director/chief executive officer, Oceanic Bank International Plc, Cecilia Ibru, to increasing customer support and patronage.

In a statement released to the public that same year, the bank categorically stated its long term goal, which is to ensure that it becomes the first and the best in terms of quality and efficient service delivery. “We are going the extra mile in terms of fine-tuning and restructuring. We are ready to delight our customers with top-flight services that are not obtainable in any other institution. Our service will be such that when you think banking, naturally you think Oceanic,” the Oceanic Bank boss was quoted as saying.

Achievements & Awards
EMEA Finance Best Bank in Nigeria 2008
Best Bank in Nigeria; 5th in Africa; and 310th in the World in terms of  Tier 1   Capital, The Banker Magazine, Financial Times, London
Best Bank in poverty eradication in Nigeria 2008, NAPEP
Outstanding support for infrastructure and economic development,   Champion

Newspapers
Best Bank in SME financing 2008, Vanguard Newspapers
Best Brand, USP Consumer Brands Awards, COBRAA)
Best bank of the Year Award, 2006 and 2007 from The Banker magazine, a
FT Top 1000 Banks in the world Oceanic Bank made the list of the top 1000 banks in the world.
"Aa" Rating - Agusto & Co.
"A1+","AA" - Global Credit Rating (South Africa)
"AA" : Pharez Risk Rating
2003 CBN award for "Best Bank in Real Sector Financing"