Emirates NBD has plenty of reasons to celebrate this month. Not only was it recently named the Middle East’s best bank for social media, it can also now lay claim to having the best retail banker in the region.

Suvo Sarkar, Emirates NBD’s General Manager for Retail Banking and Wealth Management has been named ‘Retail Banker of the Year in the Middle East’ at the Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2015. The award was presented to Mr. Sarkar at the largest retail banking gathering in Asia recently held in Singapore.

The Retail Banker of the Year award is one of the highest forms of recognition given to a global retail banking leader for playing an instrumental role in transforming the bank’s operations and also making a strong impact on the wider retail banking landscape in the country. The honour also recognises significant achievements over the person’s whole career, inspirational thought leadership towards the bank and the entire industry, and his efforts to invest in staff development.

Congratulating Sarkar on the lifetime achievement award, Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, said: “On behalf of Emirates NBD, I congratulate Suvo Sarkar on winning the Retail Banker of the Year award. Under his leadership, Emirates NBD has shaped a retail proposition that is unparalleled in a competitive marketplace.

“We have clearly identified gaps and needs, and created innovative banking solutions that incorporate technology and process reengineering. This strategy has enabled the bank to achieve a leadership position, while offering an enriched banking experience to our customers.”