KBC receives International Banker Awards for the second year running

The renowned International Banker financial magazine has just honoured KBC with three awards: Johan Thijs, KBC Group CEO, was named Banking CEO of the Year – Western Europe for the second year running, while KBC Belgium followed up on last year's success by receiving the award once again for Best Innovation in Retail Banking Belgium. ČSOB (Czech Republic) was awarded the prize for Best Private Bank of the Year – Czech Republic.

The International Banker Awards are voted for by the magazine's readership and a jury comprising financial journalists. They take account of not only growth, liquidity position and profitability of a company, but also innovation, technology, corporate governance, sustainability and transparency.

A number of factors were highlighted that were instrumental in the decision to award these gongs, including the high return on equity at KBC linked to a long-term focus on cost containment and income diversification, and the strategic choice for innovation as a mainstay of the company, as well as fostering entrepreneurship in general. In addition, International Banker regards Johan Thijs as the personification of the values that are promoted by KBC and that are supported by the workforce, and praises other aspects, such as the sustainable long-term strategy and the balance between the group's strategy and how it is implemented at local level.

KBC is extremely proud again to receive these awards, which are further international recognition of the efforts KBC has made in recent years to become a sustainable, integrated, omni-channel bank-insurer that is the reference on its home markets.

Johan Thijs, KBC Group CEO, had this to say: 'Receiving these major awards for the second year in a row is deserved recognition of the work that has been put in by everyone at KBC. Together we form a dynamic and dedicated team that endeavours each day to implement our strategy and company culture to serve the interests of our clients and other stakeholders. Our strength as a company lies in the commitment and creativity of all our staff in what is an ever faster changing world. We view innovation as a strategic cornerstone that enables us to face up to the challenges ahead and to serve our clients even better. This has allowed us to become the reference in our core markets and that's something we can genuinely be proud of.'

More information on these awards can be found on the International Banker's website.  The print edition of International Banker containing an extensive interview with Johan Thijs will be published on 6 December.