Zenith Bank Ghana officially welcomed the holiday season with its much-anticipated 2024 Christmas Light-Up Ceremony and Carols Night, held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Bank’s headquarters, Zenith Heights, No. 37 Independence Avenue, Ridge.
The annual celebration brought together staff, management, and stakeholders for an evening of joy and unity.
Guests were treated to enchanting Christmas carols performed by the Bank’s talented choir, with classics like “O Holy Night” and others creating a heartwarming atmosphere. Staff members joined in, filling the event with festive melodies and a spirit of togetherness.
The highlight of the evening came as the Bank’s building and premises were illuminated with a dazzling array of colorful lights. The MD/CEO, Henry Onwuzurigbo, officially turned on the lights, marking the start of the festive celebrations.
Beyond its headquarters, Zenith Bank extended the Christmas cheer to the general public by decorating the Big Six Roundabout, Terminal 3 Roundabout, and the median areas around the airport environs.
In his address, Henry Onwuzurigbo emphasized the Bank’s role in establishing this tradition since 2018, inspiring other institutions to light up their premises and contribute to the festive spirit across Ghana.
The event once again showcased Zenith Bank’s commitment to fostering joy and unity during the holiday season.
“Tonight’s event is a celebration of the beginning of the Christmas season—the birth of Christ, symbolizing hope, renewal and the enduring light that unites us as a people. It further reflects the strong bond between the bank and the community we proudly serve. Beyond a festive tradition, it also serves as a reminder of the resilience that defines Zenith Bank Ghana as a brand in Ghana.”
Financial performance
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Henry Onwuzurigbo, provided insights into the bank’s financial performance for the year under review.
He acknowledged that 2024 had its challenges but stressed that the bank successfully surmounted these challenges, making the year a remarkable one for the bank.
“As a Bank, our Total Customer deposits grew by 56 percent from GH¢10.2 billion in September 2023 to GH¢15.9 billion in September 2024. This underscores the effectiveness of the Bank’s strategic deposit mobilization and increased customer confidence in the Bank’s business operations.
“Year-on-year, net loans and advances increased by 62 percent, up from GH¢2 billion in September 2023 to GH¢ 3.3 billion in September 2024 primarily due to new facilities given to customers as part of the bank’s strategic drive to expand into new Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and retail markets.
“The Bank’s Profit before Tax (PBT) also grew by 20 percent, from GH¢735 million in September 2023 to GH¢882 million in September 2024 indicating continuous improvement in the Bank’s financial performance on a yearly basis. It is expected that the Bank will continue on this trajectory to end 2024 with an incremental Profit Before Tax over that of 2023,” he stated.
The Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank Ghana also highlighted the bank’s commitment to expansion and corporate social responsibility in 2024.
He announced the opening of three new branches in Madina, Techiman, and Ashaiman, increasing the bank’s total business locations in Ghana to 43.
In addition to its expansion efforts, Zenith Bank Ghana embarked on several impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
These included rewarding outstanding WAEC candidates and providing over 1,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged children in various communities.
Henry Onwuzurigbo also used the opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Directors for their unwavering support and strategic guidance, as well as to the bank’s loyal customers and the media for their continued patronage and partnership, which contributed to the successes achieved in 2024.
