“Compliance is not just about following rules; it’s about building trust and shaping a sustainable future.”

Inyang Etim, Head of Retail Compliance at Access Bank PLC, has dedicated her career to driving excellence in banking and compliance. With over 25 years of experience, she has been playing a pivotal role in ensuring regulatory adherence, fostering ethical leadership, and navigating large-scale transformations, including the historic 2019 merger of Diamond Bank and Access Bank.

Her leadership philosophy centers on adaptability, innovation, and mentorship, shaping a new generation of banking professionals. As she continues to champion compliance and governance, her vision for Access Bank remains clear—leveraging technology, financial inclusion, and strategic growth to reinforce its position as a leading financial institution in Africa.

Embracing Change in Banking

Inyang reflects on a remarkable 25-year journey in banking, driven by the excitement of new opportunities. She emphasizes that banking is a dynamic field, offering growth beyond traditional finance backgrounds.

After her National Youth Service, she transitioned from microbiology to Treasury Operations and began as an Executive Trainee. She has since evolved into a seasoned leader. Her experience underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and limitless potential within the financial sector.

She shares insights into the most significant challenges faced while implementing large-scale turnkey projects. The primary challenge was time delays, often caused by compliance issues, which could harm the organization’s credibility with investors, partners, and regulatory bodies.

To overcome this, Inyang focused on building strong relationships with key stakeholders and regulators, obtaining approvals in advance, and working closely with legal, procurement, and operations teams to streamline compliance processes.

Building a Strong Compliance Culture

Inyang emphasizes that the most critical aspect of an effective compliance program is the Tone at the Top. Strong engagement from the Board, Executive, and Senior Management is essential in actively supporting and promoting compliance initiatives.

Integrating compliance into the company’s core values and decision-making processes ensures a culture of accountability. This includes establishing clear, accessible, and enforceable policies that align with industry regulations, laws, and best practices.”

Fostering Compliance Awareness Across Teams

Inyang understands the importance of consistent communication in cultivating a strong compliance culture across multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams. She conducts daily checkpoint calls with her Team Leads to reinforce compliance expectations and establish an ethical tone. Localized, role-specific training ensures relevance across diverse teams.

Employees are encouraged to engage through monthly training sessions, service reviews, and ongoing communication via emails and video messages, fostering an inclusive and proactive compliance environment.

Balancing Organizational and Team Needs

She believes that effective leadership requires balancing organizational priorities with team well-being. She fosters cross-functional collaboration to create a shared sense of purpose, helping team members understand their role in the company’s success.

By involving employees in decision-making, especially when changes directly impact them, she promotes a sense of ownership. This approach not only builds trust but also drives results and inspires long-term loyalty across teams.

Achieving Work-Life Balance in Leadership

She maintains a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact, ensuring focus on critical responsibilities. Effective delegation not only manages workload but also empowers team growth.

Keeping communication lines open about workload and potential adjustments fosters transparency. Additionally, a strong family support system enables her to balance professional demands with personal well-being, ensuring sustained effectiveness in both areas.

Staying Ahead in Compliance

Inyang takes a multifaceted approach to staying updated on regulatory changes. She subscribes to regulatory update services, attends industry conferences, collaborates with key stakeholders, and leverages automated tools to monitor new requirements at both national and international levels.

By proactively adapting compliance processes, she ensures that Access Bank remains ahead of evolving regulations, minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

Leading with Integrity and Authenticity

Inyang attributes her leadership style to the core values of integrity and authenticity. She believes that trust is the foundation of success in banking and compliance. Upholding transparency, honesty, and ethical decision-making has helped her build credibility and foster a culture of accountability.

By being genuine in her actions, she has strengthened relationships, encouraged open communication, and cultivated trust among her team, colleagues, and stakeholders.”

Leveraging Technology for Compliance Excellence

She emphasizes the pivotal role of technology in optimizing business processes and strengthening compliance within the banking sector. Advanced Compliance Monitoring Systems automate the continuous tracking of regulatory requirements, including AML regulations, KYC compliance, and transaction monitoring.

By reducing manual workload, technology enhances the speed and accuracy of compliance checks while enabling real-time monitoring of suspicious activities, ensuring a more efficient and proactive compliance framework.

A Defining Moment in Leadership

She considers the 2019 merger between Diamond Bank and Access Bank a pivotal moment in her career. Integrating systems, structures, and organizational culture across 500+ branches, 36 million customers, seven subsidiaries, and four representative offices was an unparalleled challenge.

Guidance for Future Banking Leaders

Inyang advises young professionals aspiring to build a career in banking and compliance to embrace continuous learning. With the industry constantly evolving through new regulations and technologies, staying informed through formal education, certifications, and self-study is crucial. She also highlights the importance of adaptability and networking, as collaboration and diverse perspectives play a key role in professional growth and long-term success in the field.

Shaping the Future of Banking

Inyang envisions a future of continuous growth, leadership, and meaningful impact in the banking and compliance sectors. Her aspirations include enhancing expertise, mentoring emerging professionals, and driving excellence in risk management, governance, and regulatory compliance while fostering a culture of integrity and inclusion.

For Access Bank, she foresees its continued rise as a leading financial institution in Africa, guided by the vision to become the world’s most respected African bank. By leveraging digital innovation, expanding strategic partnerships, and prioritizing sustainability and financial inclusion, Access Bank is poised to strengthen its industry leadership, drive economic growth, and empower businesses and communities across the region.”