The winners of the prestigious WIBC World Islamic Banking awards were honoured at the recently concluded 16th annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2009) in Bahrain.

The Islamic Banker of the Year was awarded to Adnan Ahmed Yousif, president and chief executive officer of Al Baraka Banking Group.

Yousif’s efforts to establish a global Islamic bank and the rapidly impending launch of Istikhlaf Bank with a $10 billion capital base will create a powerful platform for the industry as the world's largest Islamic bank, said a statement.

Furthermore, in his capacity as chairman of the Union of Arab Banks, Yousif has offered new proposals and espoused strong support for the future health of the banking industry.

The recipient of this prestigious award is voted by his peers in the industry with the results audited by Ernst & Young. Yousif is the first person to win the Islamic Banker of the Year a second time; having first won it back in 2004.

The Industry Leadership Award 2009, made in recognition of a key individual and industry pioneer who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and long-term strategic impact over the Islamic banking and finance industry, went to Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, the internationally respected Shari’ah scholar.

This was in recognition of his many decades of service and leadership in the global Islamic banking industry.

Bank of London & the Middle East (BLME) won the Institutional Excellence Award, presented in recognition of a banking institution that has excelled in the key performance criteria, including excellence in leadership and overall strategic direction of their Islamic banking business.

“The WIBC is one of the most prestigious Islamic Finance conferences and to win the Institutional Excellence Award is a great honour,” said Humphrey Percy, chief executive officer, BLME.

“In 2009 BLME continued to expand and diversify our business and our client base. Some notable achievements were the launch of our Private Banking and Asset Management businesses in our new West End offices,” he added.

“Alongside these launches we have continued to develop and innovate Shari’ah compliant products tailored to our clients. This award is a testament to the strength and viability of our business model, the support of our board and shareholders and the hard work and commitment of the BLME team to building a successful and sustainable bank.” – TradeArabia News Service