CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank recently hosted a day-long celebration in honour of two of its greatest assets – its staff and clients.
May 15 was a historic day in the life of the bank as it was the first time the bank celebrated Customer and Employee Appreciation Day at the same time.
Normally observed on separate days, this significant combination came about since that day also marked the 150th anniversary of the regional bank’s parent company Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and there was celebration of this special occasion with staff and customers.
In Barbados, branches were decorated with colourful balloons as staff welcomed and recognised their clients and others doing business on that day by handing out small tokens of appreciation. Many also highlighted special customers.
The bank’s chief executive officer Gary Brown spent some of the day visiting selected branches. He pledged the commitment of the bank to continued client service excellence and to providing the type of products and services that fit the lifestyle of clients. He praised the commitment and dedication of employees over the years.
Managing director retail, business and international banking Mark St. Hill and managing director, Barbados operating company, Donna Wellington, also visited branches to express their appreciation for the hard work of the staff and to extend gratitude to clients.
At the Rendezvous Finance Centre, they met employees and shared stories with them about family and their progress in the bank, with some reminiscing about the early days of the organisation.
CIBC has been in the Caribbean since 1920. The first CIBC branches in the West Indies were established in Bridgetown, Barbados and in Kingston, Jamaica. Branches were also opened in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Havana, Cuba that same year.
The 2011 rebranding of the company to combine the CIBC name with FirstCaribbean is evidence of the importance of the Caribbean operation. (PR)
