Clovis Metcalfe will take up his new job on January 1, 2009.

FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) has named Clovis Metcalfe, a 36 year banking veteran, the new head of its Jamaican operation, replacing Milton Brady.

"My predecessor has set a good track record and it is important to continue to maintain the image of the bank and provide quality ser-vice for customers," said Metcalfe.

"My intention is to go out and engage customers and prospects, see what their like and dislikes are and how they think we can improve."

Metcalfe was named managing director of the Jamaican subsidiary following Brady's promotion to managing director of corporate investment banking across the Caribbean in November.

Local subsidiary

Brady continued to run the local subsidiary while FCIB recruited a new country manager.

Metcalfe's appointment takes effect January 1, when Brady moves to FCIB's headquarters in Barbados.

The new Jamaican boss was promoted from within.

He was director of corporate banking for the last seven months, and before that head of corporate banking for five years.

FirstCaribbean Jamaica is number four of seven commercial banks in Jamaica, commanding assets of $50 billion in a sector valued at $542 billion.

Brady has run a profitable operation, reporting improved net profit at year end October 2008 to outperform its parent company, whose profits fell below its 2007 position.

Jamaica's net profit totalled $835 million, up from $770 million the previous year. Net interest income rose to $3.1 billion, up by 19.1 per cent.

"The main focus with the bank now is to maintain our position," said Metcalfe. "We will continue to leverage on our conservatism that the bank held for years and which has held us in good stead," he said.

Challenging

"No need to reinvent the wheels and with the year ahead looking to be very, very challenging, we intend to remain so."

Like his predecessor, Metcalfe will report to Michael Mansoor, chairman of FirstCaribbean International Bank.

"The financial landscape has changed significantly in the past several months, and the environment has become increasingly challenging. We know we will need our best people in key positions to ensure success in the future," said Mansoor in a statement.

"Clovis has proved time and again he is up to the task and we feel very fortunate to have him at the helm in a market as important as Jamaica."

sabrina.gordon@gleanerjm.com.