Global Brands Awards has named alt bank as 2026 Islamic Bank of the Year.
The Bank earned the recognition for its contributions to ethical finance, financial inclusion and the development of non-interest banking in Nigeria.
The recognition forms part of the 14th edition of the Global Brands Awards, which acknowledge organisations across industries for their performance, innovation and contributions to their respective sectors.
alt bank received the award following an independent evaluation of innovation, industry impact, customer engagement and overall contribution to the financial services sector.
Also, the assessment considered the Bank’s commitment to ethical and non-interest banking, its Sharia-compliant financial solutions and its role in expanding access to alternative financial services in Nigeria.
The award comes as non-interest banking continues to attract attention as an alternative financing model capable of supporting businesses, households and productive sectors of the Nigerian economy.
alt bank approaches non-interest banking as a means of addressing practical financial needs while supporting wider economic participation. Its work spans personal banking, education, pilgrimage planning and business financing, reflecting an effort to make ethical financial solutions relevant to the everyday priorities of individuals, families, enterprises and communities.
This commitment is reflected in the Bank’s expanding branch network and its range of customer-focused financial solutions.
As the Bank continues to extend its physical presence across Nigeria, it is broadening access to non-interest banking services.
Besides, its Hajj Savings Account further demonstrates this focus, offering intending pilgrims a structured approach to saving towards their pilgrimage.
Education is another important dimension of this work. Through AltInstitute, its free digital learning platform, alt bank is advancing understanding of non-interest banking and ethical finance.
The Bank’s broader education interventions include teacher training, support for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment in Sokoto State, and education financing solutions.
The Sokoto initiative reportedly reached 21,726 adolescent girls across 10 local government areas, while EduFund helps parents, guardians and students meet education-related expenses.
These efforts reflect the Bank’s engagement with education not only as a financing need, but also as an area with wider implications for opportunity and development.
For businesses, the Bank’s support extends beyond access to finance to address practical challenges across procurement and supply chains.
Through SupplyHub, the Bank offers procurement services and supply-chain financing, including financing for suppliers with qualifying purchase orders.
These solutions complement its broader business financing offerings, helping enterprises manage transactions, fulfil orders and pursue growth opportunities.
Across these areas and more, alt bank combines financial products, learning initiatives and customer-focused services to extend the practical application of non-interest banking beyond traditional banking transactions.
This breadth of engagement provides context for the recognition, particularly in relation to innovation, customer engagement, industry impact and the expansion of access to alternative financial services in Nigeria.
The recognition places alt bank among institutions acknowledged in the Banking and Finance category of the 2026 Global Brands Awards, reflecting the growing relevance of ethical financial models within the broader banking industry.
alt bank remains focused on strengthening its capacity to serve individuals and businesses, expanding access to appropriate financial solutions and supporting economic activities that deliver sustainable value.
The recognition has been officially announced in the Global Brands Awards 2026 winners’ listing.
