PRESS RELEASE(Lagos Nigeria)-The Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu has said that provisions of first-class and excellent value-added service would be the key components of the Bank’s strategic focus in putting the customers first. This hint was dropped during the Bank’s Customers’ Forum held in Lagos over the weekend.

According to Etuokwu, “the integration process will put the customer at the core of everything we do. We are in the business of making our customers happy and therefore, our aim is to increase the percentage of the bank’s trained customer-facing employees. It is our sole responsibility to ensure that we provide a first class service to customers, that all customers’ needs are met and customers understand everything that is available to them”

The Bank MD, disclosed that the full ATM network of both Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank has been fully integrated for the use of customers of both banks as part of the immediate benefits of the combination. “From now, not only will you be able to use either bank’s ATM free of charge, but you will also be able to draw out more money,” he said.

Etuokwu also intimated that the branch network of both banks would be harmonised to minimise duplication with a view to delivering better customer service and promote growth throughout the business, assuring that all customers would be carried along to enable a smooth transition.

Speaking on the recent business combination, the Bank’s boss said “The combination will give us a network of over 460 branches and lift us to being the number four bank in this market. Combining that scale with a strong financial position and excellent customer service, will allow us to target becoming a top three player.”

On the future of the Bank, Etuokwu said that “the wider goal is to become Africa’s most respected bank, by building a credible, stable, transparent and moral financial institution.   We intend to build on this new stable platform to create one of Africa’s leading financial services groups and Nigeria’s leading banking franchise. Ultimately, we see this as a great opportunity to bring together two organizations that can complement each other and create a leading African bank.”

The event which was graced by dignitaries including; His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, and Chairman of Intercontinental Bank Plc, and Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, was attended by a large turn-out of customers and stakeholders of the Bank.

It would be recalled that Intercontinental Bank has recently concluded its recapitalisation programme, operating as a high performing subsidiary of Access Bank Group with a new Board, dynamic leadership and sustainable business agenda. The Bank is firmly repositioned for dominance of the retail space in the Nigerian banking sector by leveraging its extensive branch network and world-class technology platform to deliver superior financial solution to consumers of banking products in the different strata of the society.

EDDY ADEMOSU

GH, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

Tel: 08027339303