SCOTIABANK was last month named Bank of the Year and Best Foreign Exchange Trader in Jamaica by The Banker, a Financial Week publication, and Global Finance magazine, respectively.

Scotia, in a news release on Friday, said that this was the second consecutive year that it has received the Bank of the Year award, and the seventh year in which it took the title of Best Foreign Exchange Trader.

“We are proud of this award because it is a reflection of the hard work of our employees and their focus on providing sound financial advice and good service to our customers,” the news release quoted Jacqueline Sharp, president and CEO, Scotia Group. “Scotiabank has had a presence in Jamaica for 125 years and we’re pleased to be known for our customer service and for delivering superior results for our shareholders.”

She added: “I would like to thank the customers who continue to believe in us and support us. I am fortunate to work with a professional team of exceptionally talented individuals who continuously demonstrate their commitment to helping our customers discover what’s possible.”

Scotia also said it was named Bank of the Year in Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago by The Banker. The publication, Scotia explained, has been the reference point for accessing the performance of banks across the world.

“The award acknowledges the success and overall achievements of the world’s top financial institutions as it seeks to reward and promote industry-wide excellence in the global banking community. One award is given to a single bank in each country for best overall performance. Winners of the award are selected based on their ability to deliver shareholder returns and gain strategic advantage,” the news release said.

Global Finance has been highlighting outstanding financial institutions in the banking industry since 1987. The criteria for choosing the winners in foreign exchange trading included transaction volume, market share, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technologies.

Scotia said that these prestigious awards are the latest in a series of accolades it has received, which include:

* Best Consumer Internet Bank Award 2014 – Global Finance

* World Class Certification for Customer Contact Centre 2014 – Service Quality Management Group – (three years in a row)

* Best Bank in Jamaica 2013 – Euromoney Magazine

* Best Emerging Markets Bank – 2013

* Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in the Americas – The Banker 2012.