Diamond Bank : appointed as a Forum Member Adviser to the World Economic Forum

• Diamond Bank becomes the first Nigerian company and only the second African company to join the prestigious forum
• Uzoma Dozie, CEO of Diamond Bank, will participate at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland during 23-26 January 2018
• Diamond to promote financial inclusion, the key themes driving Nigeria's positive outlook and the future of banking

Diamond Bank ('Diamond') - Nigeria's fastest growing retail bank - is pleased to announce its appointment as a Forum Member Adviser to the World Economic Forum ('WEF'). The Forum aims to shape global, regional and industry agendas to deliver WEF's mission of improving the state of the world.

Diamond is the first Nigerian company and only the second African company to become a World Economic Forum Adviser. Membership is on an invitation only basis and is extended only to the most dynamic businesses who are using tech-driven disruption to drive growth.

CEO of Diamond, Uzoma Dozie, will also attend the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos to discuss a number of key themes including: promoting financial inclusion, particularly amongst women; Nigeria's emerging technology-enabled entrepreneurial culture and Lagos as a hub for innovation; and the role of digital, technology and data in transforming banking.

Mr Dozie is scheduled to speak on a panel at an interactive workshop session entitled A Shared Vision for Financial Inclusion at 1530 on Wednesday 24 January at the Congress Centre, Jakobshorn.

Commenting on the appointment and his attendance at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, Diamond Bank's CEO Uzoma Dozie said:

'I am delighted that Diamond Bank was invited to join as a Forum Member Adviser of the World Economic Forum, as it is testament to our status as one of Nigeria's leading innovators. I am also thrilled to be attending this year's Annual Meeting in Davos, where I will be presenting my views on the three key areas of financial inclusion, Nigeria's positive outlook and the future of banking.

'In particular, I will be sharing Diamond Bank's experience in the financial inclusion space where our Beta Proposition and Diamond Yello Account have made significant inroads in bringing previously un(der)banked people into the financial system. It will also be an opportunity to highlight the transformative role of technology and data in enhancing financial inclusion in a country of 180 million people where nearly half do not have a bank account.

'I will also be passionately championing the success of increasing numbers of technology-enabled entrepreneurs and the culture of innovation that is taking hold in Nigeria, particularly Lagos. This innovation is leading to a new wave of business leaders that are shaping the Nigeria of tomorrow, as well as helping fuel economic growth today.

'Despite historic challenges, I will also use the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting as a platform to promote Nigeria's excellent fundamentals and its recent progress.'

As a pioneer in the banking sector and beyond, Diamond is an industry leader in promoting financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurs and digital transformation. Key initiatives include Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET), a capacity building and business education initiative, designed to empower entrepreneurs, and Diamond Woman, a dedicated lifestyle proposition for women of all ages.

Diamond is the only Nigerian bank selected to partner with UK's Department for International Development on their financial inclusion programme. Diamond also has a partnership with Women's World Banking - backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - with Mr Dozie on its board.

The Diamond Y'ello Account has over 8.6 million users, making it a market leader in the Nigerian financial inclusion space.

ENDS

About Diamond Bank Plc

Diamond Bank Plc was incorporated on December 20, 1990 and began operating as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991. Ten years later, in February 2001, Diamond Bank became a universal bank. In January 2005, Diamond Bank became a public limited company following a highly successful Private Placement share offer which substantially raised the Bank's equity base. In May 2005, the Bank was listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Today, Diamond Bank is the fastest growing retail bank in Nigeria with a track record of high quality banking solutions for customers. It is the lead driver of financial inclusion and enhanced customer experience through innovation and technology. Regarded as supporter of lifestyle trends, its mobile banking app, 'Diamond Mobile' currently has over 2 million active subscribers on its platform. Diamond Bank has over the years leveraged on its underlying resilience to grow its asset base and to successfully retain its key business relationships.

Diamond Bank has also played a leading role in partnering with domestic and International bodies such as Women's World Banking, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, MTN etc. to create easy access to financial services for the unbanked.