The Tribune

CIBC FirstCaribbean has confirmed it will open its new branch at the Bay Street and Parliament Street junction on Monday, with its existing location closing tomorrow.

The new branch’s design code is similar to that employed by its majority shareholder, Canadian bank CIBC, and follows the opening of similar branches at Carmichael Road and a new flagship branch in Barbados late last year.

Mark St. Hill, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s managing director for retail, business and international banking, said the new Bay and Parliament Street branch was another demonstration of the bank’s commitment to the Caribbean and the modernisation of its branch network in the region.

“We intend to continue developing our branch network as part of our commitment to building an even better bank for our customers. Our branch network is being outfitted to meet the needs of today’s customers, with new offices in Barbados, St. Lucia, the Bahamas and Jamaica, and there are definite plans for continued modernisation,” Mr St. Hill said.

Marie Rodland-Allen, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s managing director and country head for the Bahamas, said the new branch was part of the bank’s “continued effort to improve on our delivery of superior service to our clients”.

“Our new Bay and Parliament Street branch will cater to our retail, corporate and business banking clients, and boasts of having the same state-of-the-art technology as our Carmichael Road branch,” Mrs Rodland-Allen added.

“The new facility also offers our clients a banking experience that is much faster, more convenient and more sophisticated than ever before, and provides our employees located at Bay Street with a positive environment in which to deliver the excellent customer service we are known for.”

The branch offers a self-service area that is accessible to customers via the main entrance even when the banking hall is closed for the day.

In this area, customers can check their accounts, make deposits at night via the night facility, make fast deposits and use the Instant teller machines 24 hours per day.

The branch also has a disabled-friendly ABM which has been positioned to offer ease of access for persons in wheelchairs.

The branch will also feature mortgage and loan services, which are designed to provide quick turnaround times and financial advice for customers.