I&M Bank toasts to 50 years of banking excellence in East Africa
The echoes of celebration still resonate as I&M Bank Uganda commemorated fifty years of banking excellence. The Golden Jubilee celebrations, held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Victoria Hall at the Kampala Serena Hotel, was a testament to the bank's enduring legacy and its profound impact on the Ugandan banking landscape.
The event, which brought together a diverse array of stakeholders including customers, employees, regulators, partners, and dignitaries, was a resounding success. Guests were treated to an evening filled with festivities, heartfelt tributes, captivating entertainment, and networking opportunities.
The grand celebrations will be followed by a golf tournament, the second leg of the Katogo Golf Series, slated for tomorrow on Saturday, June 29th, at the Entebbe Golf Club.
The celebrations will also see the banking institution participate in a series of CSR activities across the country, as well as engage customers and the business community in financial symposiums aimed at improving financial literacy.
I&M Bank also has a mega music concert lined up as part of the golden jubilee celebrations.
Reflecting on the 50-year journey, I&M Bank CEO, Robin Bairstow, expressed gratitude for the dedication of bank’s staff, the loyal customers, the support from partners, and the visionary leadership and the resilience by the institution’s founders, as some of the key aspects that have propelled the organisation forward, across the region over the past five decades.
"We owe this milestone first to the resilience and a cross-generational vision of the founders of the I&M Group. The unwavering dedication of our employees, the loyal customers that have stood and grown with us, the invaluable support of our different partners, and the visionary leadership that has guided the business along the way," remarked Bairstow noted.
Throughout the celebration, there was a palpable sense of pride in the bank's achievements and a shared excitement for the future. Guests had the opportunity to get first-hand knowledge about I&M Bank's latest initiatives, products, and services, aimed at enhancing customer experience and drive financial inclusion.
The bank's commitment to innovation and digital transformation was spotlighted, underscoring its strategic focus on meeting the evolving needs of its customers in today's rapidly changing banking landscape.
“Over time, I&M Bank has become the market leader in digitalization of products and services, enhancing customer convenience through introduction of innovative services like I&M Bank Mastercards, offshore banking, and our digital pod at Kingdom Kampala, that has significantly changed ATM banking,” Bairstow added.
Bairstow took a moment to reflect on the bank's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He highlighted the bank's CSR activities, which aim to support the community and individuals in need. Bairstow reiterated the importance of these initiatives in fostering a stronger bond with clients and contributing to the welfare of society as a whole.
"The golden jubilee is a testament not only to our longevity, but also to the lasting impact we've had on the communities we serve and the individuals whose lives we've touched,” Bairstow stated.
Bairstow highlighted that the bank has a series of community outreach programs and business symposiums lined up in different parts of the country, as a continuation of the golden jubilee celebrations.
As I&M Bank embarks on its next chapter, it does so with renewed vigor, guided by a deep sense of gratitude for the past and a steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations, which are spread across all East African countries where the bank has presence, served as a poignant reminder of the institution’s enduring legacy and its unwavering dedication to shaping the future of banking in Uganda and beyond.