FirstCaribbean International Bank (Jamaica) Limited's head office on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston. - FILE
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:
FIRSTCARIBBEAN HAS invested US$18 million (J$1.1 billion) in a branch improvement programme across the region.
The bank is also now looking to open new branches, with locations in Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas being targeted, the company said in a statement.
Eighteen of the bank's 80 branches across the region have been renovated, upgraded, and in some cases expanded. The goal of the branch renovation programme is to enhance the level of service to customers, by providing both employees and customers with a brighter, more spacious, and more customer-friendly environment in which to do business, the company stated.
RENOVATION PROGRAMME
The bank is approaching its renovation programme on a phased basis, with 18 branches completed in the first phase but with longer-term plans to renovate the entire branch network over time.
FirstCaribbean's customers in The Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, The Bahamas, Ja-maica, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, The Cayman Islands, the Netherlands Antilles and St. Lucia are now banking in the 'new look' branches.
"FirstCaribbean has created a truly professional look combined with a welcoming atmosphere and our customer feedback has been very positive," Julian Murillo, executive director, retail banking said. "Our employees are more comfortable. Our customers love the fresh look."
ENHANCEMENTS
The facilities now offer a number of enhancements, including a branch ambassador station where customers are welcomed; an increased number of cashiers and customer service officers; dedicated corporate cashiers; spacious banking halls; and dedicated customer meeting rooms.
The renovations and construction and other enhancements to premises and facilities have been carried out over the past three years. This is in addition to the US$50 million (J$3.1 billion) investment converting all its branches to a single technology platform, and introducing an Internet banking service.
FirstCaribbean International Bank has a market capitalisation of US$2.4 billion (J$148.8 billion) and serves 16 countries, from Belize, to The Bahamas to Barbados.
Taken form The Sunday Gleaner, May 8, 2005.
