Euromoney magazine, the world's leading financial markets magazine, has named Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) the country's best bank in 2012. It was the fifth time BOB was awarded the honour since 2006 and the second consecutive year the bank walked away with the coveted title.

"Being named the best bank in the country by Euromoney is a great honour," said BOB Managing Director Paul McWeeney. "But receiving this award five times is truly humbling, particularly given that it is based on principles of what the bank stands for as opposed to sheer numbers. It is especially gratifying to know that trying to make a difference in nation-building is recognised."

The bank that has always said the bottom line was just the beginning was one of eight banks in The Bahamas vying for the award. Its nomination reported results including nearly $50 million in dividends since going public in 1994, but focused largely on compassion.

"In the four years since the collapse of Lehman Bros. launched a tsunami in finance, manufacturing, retail, real estate, travel, in fact nearly all sectors of all economies and currencies, banks have been portrayed as the bad guys," the nomination said. "Wall Street or Main Street, the London Stock Exchange or the local BISX (Bahamas International Securities Exchange), it's the bank that's been the fall guy, the dart board for frustration. Yet all too often dart throwers have little idea what a bank like BOB does quietly behind the scenes to help those who need it most. We take this opportunity to shed light on a bank with a heart. A single letter tells the powerful story.

The letter was written by a customer in Grand Bahama after BOB representatives went door to door with gifts, sometimes a payment plan and always a message of hope.

"Whenever I think of your kindness, it is with humility. Each time, I'm reminded that people do care. The first visit from you all to my home is a day I shall never forget…The Xmas gift literally brought tears to my eyes…I can never express in words the joy I felt that day…Since you all's visit, the mortgage has been paid by myself…You and your colleagues were the only ones to reach out to me…"

"Banks and bankers aren't supposed to be soft, sentimental. But sometimes a banker has to be more than a suit. He or she has to feel what a customer feels. Where compassion meets prudence and service meets promises, success follows -- and that, more than anything, explains the growth of BOB," the nomination continued.

"That success can be measured in part in numbers. From an inauspicious beginning in 1988, the bank has grown to 45,000 deposit accounts and more than 4,000 shareholders. At fiscal year-end 2011, its total assets stood at $824 million, up nearly $46 million from the previous year. With the uncertain economy at its back, BOB -- already exceeding required capital reserves by nearly twice -- shored up its Tier 1 capital even more, to $118 million… In 2011, earned net income stood at $5.02 million and in the same year, BOB reported $669 million in loans and advances to customers. In addition to capital reserves, two figures stand out: As real estate tried again to find its legs, BOB found a footing to make ownership a reality with home mortgages growing by 4.9% during fiscal 2011 and share price increased 40% to close at $6.93."

The bank also reported its readiness to be first out of the gate with an e-commerce platform, noted its newly created customer care department, expanded training and continual vigilance in minimizing risk.

According to Euromoney, awards are now presented in some 100 countries across the globe.

"All the awards," the publication notes, "have one central theme -- they recognise institutions and individuals that demonstrate leadership, innovation and momentum in the markets in which they excel."

The Banker, a part of the Financial Times Group, has also named BOB the country's best bank three times.

"A lot of banks think in quarters," says the Managing Director Paul McWeeney. "We think long-term in national development."

Spanish banking giant Banco Santander was named the world's best bank, Deutsche Bank best investment house and Citibank best bank in emerging markets.