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Heritage Bank Bags ISO Award, Sets New Banking Record

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As a brand built on a legacy of innovation, Heritage Bank has yet again achieved another milestone with the ISO/INEC 27001:2013 certification award in recognition of its commitment to effective and secured financial system. The bank has also set a record as the only bank in Nigeria to get this certification award in less than three years of operation. It has, by this certification, joined the league of big players in the industry, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN which are ISO/INEC 27001 compliant.

The award was presented on behalf of the British government, to the bank in Lagos on Wednesday, 5th August, 2015 by the Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Ray Kyles.

Kyles commended the bank for setting high standard in the financial industry and pledged the continued support of the British government for Nigeria’s financial institutions. “It is not an easy task. This award remains a cornerstone of your reputation,” he said.

L-R: Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Heritage Bank, Jude Monye, British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles, MD/CEO Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, Acting MD, Enterprise Bank, Mary Akpobome and Executive Director, South West & Lagos, Ola Olabinjo at the presentation of ISO/INEC 27001:2013 certification award  at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s  Residence, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, August 5th, 2015
L-R: Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Heritage Bank, Jude Monye, British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles, MD/CEO Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, Acting MD, Enterprise Bank, Mary Akpobome and Executive Director, South West & Lagos, Ola Olabinjo at the presentation of ISO/INEC 27001:2013 certification award at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, August 5th, 2015

While receiving the award, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, noted that banking is a business of risks management, from assets to data, adding that it is fundamental that whatever a customer keeps in a bank is in safe custody. “This is a day to beat our chest. Heritage Bank is an idea, not a bank. We are a service company providing banking service; and we are the best in the class of security of our information systems. It means funds kept with us are safe. This award is a validation of our mission to promote high ethical standards, integrity, and good business practices,” he said.

Sekibo stated that innovation is inevitable for the banking industry. This, he said, is due to changing dynamics across the globe which has penetrated banking. He therefore, reiterated the commitment of his bank to introducing more innovative banking products and services to meet the needs of its customers.

Solomon Edun, Managing Director of Global Infoswift, the consultant to the project explained that the certification is a rigorous exercise that confers internationally recognised standard on the recipient. He added that the award is the most rigorous certification in terms of information, process/data and asset security.

He assured that the certification will put Heritage Bank in a good stead to protect the funds of its customers and frustrate efforts by fraudsters to access their information and assets.

Over the years, substantial part of banks’ revenue were lost to fraud with no single bank spared.

From the Financial Institutions Training Centre, FITC report on Frauds and Forgeries in Banks (January – September 2014), a total of 8,502 cases were reported. The total amount of money involved was N23.34 billion, out of which N3.01 billion was actually lost.

But the ISO 27000 family of standards helps organizations keep information assets secured. It also helps organizations manage the security of assets such as financial information, intellectual property, employee details or information entrusted to you by third parties.

The ISO/IEC 27001 is regarded as the best-known standard in the family providing requirements for an Information Security Management System, ISMS.

The ISO, which emanated from the British Standard Institute, BSI is an independent, non-governmental organization, the members of which are the standards organization of the 164 member countries.

It is the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards and facilitates world trade by providing common standards between nations. Nearly 20,000 standards have been set covering everything from manufactured products and technology to food safety, agriculture and healthcare.

 

About Heritage Bank

Heritage Bank is a leading Nigerian bank with an excellent service culture hinged on working with each customer to create a name and financial services lifestyle heritage for today and for future generations. With the ideals of Service, Performance, Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Tenacity and Excellence forming its core values, Heritage Bank is positioned to redefine the concept of banking for the quintessential customer.

Riding on ethos of legendary African centred world view of wealth, as shown in the naming convention of the bank’s divisions- Ivory, Manilla, Cowry and Coral Banking, Heritage Bank is dedicated to being not just a catalyst for growth in the Nigerian financial sector, but an ambassador for showcasing the global quality that Nigeria possesses. As a key player in banking and financial intermediation, the Bank continually seeks to promote high ethical standards, integrity and good business practices anchored on a legacy of cutting edge innovation driven by technology and partnership to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

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