Ashford W. Meikle, Staff Reporter
The Managing Director of RBTT Jamaica, Rodney S. Prasad (left) makes a point to the General Manager for Business Develop-ment, Vandyke McKenzie (centre) and General Manager for Retail Banking, Loren Edwards, during a recent tour of the construction of RBTT's second Monetgo Bay branch in the Fairview Plaza. - CONTRIBUTED
MAJOR COMMERCIAL bank RBTT Jamaica is set to open a second branch in Montego Bay next month which the bank says is a key part of its overall expansion drive in Jamaica.
"Our expansion drive started with the opening of the Portmore branch in 2004, which has been successful. In Montego Bay we realised that we had outgrown the present location [in the LOJ Shopping Centre] as the demand for our services grew, hence the need for another branch," general manager for retail banking, Loren Edwards, told the Financial Gleaner yesterday.
Edwards said that RBTT is expecting significant growth in its customer base in the second city. He revealed that the bank has also conducted feasibility studies in Trelawny, St. Mary, St. Thomas and Hanover.
Housed in the Fairview Plaza, the branch will be covering an area of almost 5,000 square feet and is located near the fast-growing Bogue community. Slated to head the branch's operations will be the former manager for RBTT Santa Cruz, Natasha O'Neill, who will supervise some 22 staff members.
Pointing to the physical amenities of the branch, Edwards said that it will have two floors, with the ground floor accommodating the banking hall. There will also be an ATM as well as drive through banking facilities with two bays.
And, to strengthen RBTT's business in the west, the bank has brought in a general manager for business development. "To grow our business in the west = we have employed [veteran banker] Vandyke McKenzie as general manager for business development, said Edwards. "We will definitely increase the thrust in business development, implement new and innovative product offerings and strengthen our marketing efforts."
The RBTT executive noted that the "second branch will also have the presence of RBTT Securities which will definitely focus on capitalising on high net worth individuals interested in investments. Synergies regarding aggressive business strategies with the securities arm and the Bank have already been created and which will continue once the branch is open to the public."
Edwards told the Financial Gleaner that despite the strong competition in retail banking RBTT could carve out a niche for itself. "Our strength lies with our strong customer service which our existing customers are privy to, and which will be used to garner new customers."
