Keystone Bank Limited has been honored with the prestigious award for Most Friendly SME Bank of the Year 2024 at the Champion Newspapers Annual Award Ceremony, held on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The event, which took place in Lagos, celebrated organizations and individuals making significant contributions to national development and economic growth.
The award was presented to the Executive Director, South and Corporate Bank, Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, by the Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa. In her remarks, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa commended Keystone Bank for its consistent support of the SME sector, stating, “The reward for hard work is more work. This award is a testament to the remarkable efforts Keystone Bank has made in empowering Nigeria’s small and medium-sized businesses. It shows that there is more work to be done, but this recognition affirms that the bank is on the right path.” She applauded the bank’s management and staff for their commitment to building a resilient and inclusive SME ecosystem.
Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Mrs. Anyim-Okoro expressed gratitude to Champion Newspapers for the recognition, noting that the award reflects Keystone Bank’s unwavering dedication to supporting the backbone of Nigeria’s economy—SMEs. “We are honored to receive this award, which underscores our commitment to providing innovative financial solutions, capacity-building opportunities, and strategic partnerships that drive sustainable growth for SMEs across the country,” she said. “At Keystone Bank, we believe that SMEs are the heartbeat of national development, and we will continue to champion their cause with renewed passion and purpose.”
Keystone Bank has continually reinforced its position as a forward-thinking, SME-friendly institution through tailor-made products, digitized loan offerings, sector-specific capacity-building programs, and active collaboration with regulatory and development finance institutions.
The Champion Newspapers Annual Award Ceremony is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s most reputable platforms for celebrating excellence in business, leadership, and public service.