Several members of the SHOPPE BLACK community in London and surrounding areas have reached out to us asking if we know of any Black Owned banks in the UK.
The short answer: Of course we do!
However, we strongly advise doing your own research also to make the best decision with your hard-earned money.
If you are interested in moving to a Black owned bank, and we assume you are, we also recommend taking a hard look at the leadership and management teams of the banks you are considering.
As with any other type of business, a Black CEO does not necessarily mean a Black owned/controlled bank.
With that being said, here’s our list:
Black Owned Banks in the UK
FBN Bank (UK) is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, with offices in the heart of the City of London. FBN was incorporated as a Limited Liability Company in March 1894, with a head office in Liverpool. They are the “London bank for Nigerians, either resident in the UK or simply visiting.”
Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited is the fully owned subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, one of the leading financial services providers in Nigeria. They have business operations spanning the United Kingdom, West Africa and East Africa.
Ghana International Bank (GHIB), which was incorporated in 1998, took over the London operations of Ghana Commercial Bank, with the latter retaining a 20% ownership of the new bank. Ownership is now shared with other Ghanaian state institutions. The Central Bank of Ghana is the major shareholder (51%), while other stakes are held by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
UBA Capital Europe Limited is a wholesale investment bank and the London banking subsidiary of UBA Plc. It is also the first sub-Saharan bank to expand into North America when it opened its New York office in 1984 to offer banking services to Africans in Diaspora.
Zenith Bank (UK) Ltd is a member of the Nigerian-based Zenith Bank Group. In March 2007, Zenith Bank was licensed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of the United Kingdom to establish Zenith Bank (UK) Limited. Zenith Bank Plc also has subsidiaries and representative offices in West Africa, South Africa, and The People’s Republic of China.
