2013-03-10 16:01:22 - AfrAsia Bank awarded for ‘Online Reporting’ at the Corporate Reporting Awards 2013 by the PriceWaterHouseCoopers.

The printed publication that will make a thud when it lands on your desk is now a virtual expedition through a microsite, videos, interactive charts, an iPad application and a structured investor relations page – This is what AfrAsia Bank has showcased through its Annual Report 2012, bagging hence the ‘Online Reporting’ award at the Corporate Reporting Awards 2013 organised by the PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PwC) at the Hennessy Park Hotel on 25th February.

Among the 76 annual reports submitted to PwC, AfrAsia Annual Report 2012 has been ranked among the top three best as well as nominated in the section ‘Risk Management Report’ and thrived among the 75 websites reviewed by the PwC. The microsite, reckoned as the main financial reporting centre

for the online Annual Report 2012 links to the Financial Year 2011-2012 in review, access to the investor relations web page, and back to the Bank’s main website.

Special recognition was given for having focused on the value of good investor relations practices, including the user-friendly functionalities on the microsite, specific sections to download, interactivity and the integration of videos, including the CEO’s message to stakeholders which is presented via an embedded YouTube video illustrating thus the art of keeping things short and concise.

As the race to roll out mobile apps for iPads and other tablets are becoming fundamental to keep pace with technology and best Investor Relations practices, AfrAsia Bank revealed an engaging and rich tablet-specific experience by also innovating its Annual Report through Apple’s popular tablet, the iPad, which allows users to e-mail, print and share any specific sections via Twitter.

"At AfrAsia Bank, we are continuously striving to raise the bar with regards to the quality and value of our financial reporting. Since our launch, we have been equally focusing on building the bank on strong financial foundations and effectively communicating our achievements. This award is a recognition of our success on both fronts. It is indeed gratifying to be recognized for our efforts by PwC. We believe that it is important to disseminate information efficiently by making good use of technology, and concurrently facilitating investors’ access to our reporting via various communications channels. We have, through our electronic platform and our online service, not only promoted our products and services but also improved the way we render financial reporting easily accessible to the investing public,” says Kamben Padayachy, Deputy CEO, Head of Global Banking, Treasury and Markets at AfrAsia Bank.

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About the Annual Report 2012:

AfrAsia Bank Annual Report 2012 provides a comprehensive snapshot of the Financial Year 2011-2012, covering our Corporate Profile, Key Achievements, Statement of Corporate Governance Practices, Risk Management Report, Management Discussion & Analysis as well as full Financial Statements.

This Financial Year has been pivotal in identifying acquisition opportunities to enhance our regional expansion and expand our franchise in the SADC region. Our theme for this year’s annual report ‘conception. consolidation. connection’ focuses on our 5 years of success story marked by exciting growth, which has today positioned us a regional bank of local relevance and International standing, placing us among the Top 200 banks in Africa.

Find out how we have identified Africa-Asia as key strategic markets and achieved our strategic aspiration of expanding regionally. Also discover how our ‘Bank Different’ approach has allowed us to deliver exceptional customer service, bagging ‘Best Local Private Bank in Mauritius 2012’ and ‘Best Private Bank for Super Affluent in Mauritius 2012’ by Euromoney Magazine.

Link to Annual Report 2012 microsite: annualreport2012.afrasiabank.com/

A preview of the app on App Store: itunes.apple.com/us/app/afrasia-bank-annual-report/id590266828?m ..