FIBank Launches New Emblem

• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 4, 2010 at 10:32pm
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Special Report

Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The First International Bank, FIB has now changed its logo to FIBank. The re-branding of the Banks emblem was announced to the public on Thursday during a launching ceremony at the Bank’s Head Office along Kairaba Avenue.

Speaking at the ceremony, FIBank Managing Director, Richard Harrison said the first logo which is FIB is predominantly seen in blue color and we all know that blue signifies trustworthiness, dependence and being
dependable and being committed.

“The bank was in existence for 10 years, 10 years of hard work, excellence, but there is always a way for improvement, if there is no way for improvement there would not be any need to re-brand the Bank,” he said.

MD Harrison noted that today, they have a bank that is courageous, that is bold to take initiatives, that is why their new logo is carrying two distinct colors of red and blue. Red represents boldness,
courage and whatever you may call it.

He added, you need to be bold in the present economy to be able make head way, that is why we have chosen the color red. He explained that the three dots are not mere dots but they are ice, and thus ice
swims, that is why the Bank started in The Gambia and is swimming beyond The
Gambia with a global focus.

According to him, being global focus is not about location but also the way we do things, we want to meet international global standard in the performance of the Bank.

“We are committed in giving our customer’s businesses, products that will help them to maximize profit, products that will make banking to reach the un-banked population in The Gambia,” he said.

Mr. Harrison also noted that they have moved from The Gambia where they started and swim into Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and went as far as Dr Congo and very soon he said they will be moving from Mali to
Guinea Bissau.

We are not only focus on international expansion, he said while noting that they also expand at national level because they have six branches (Brikama, Latri-kunda, Banjul, Serrekunda, Kairaba Avenue and Kanilai)
in the country, and in the next two weeks they are going to open branches in
Bakau and Basse as part of their plans.

He also recognized as part of the programme, their loyal staffs that have serve the bank for ten years and those who have serve the bank for more than years.

He also outlined that FIBank is the only Bank operating in the Foni’s, which is a clear testimony of the Bank’s contribution to the socio economic development of The Gambia.

MD Richard also promised that his Bank will start operating as a business partner within the community.
Abbas Corr, representative from the Central Bank of The Gambia

“I hope staff of the Bank will take opportunity of this new logo with renew vigor and confidence and change in attitude to meet the challenges ahead,” the representative of the Bankers Bank said.

Mr. Abbas Corr stated that the Central Bank as regulator of banks will create a better enabling environment for better financial services. Now that we have 14 commercial banks in this economy, it is
important that the banks become innovative to meet the challenges within the
banking system and beyond.

In meeting the demands and expectations of their customers, he said that they are hoping that the new logo will go a long way in projecting the image of the FIBank as a very reliable and dependable bank in The
Gambia.
A customer (who wishes not to be name) has been with the bank for the past ten
years has presented two ceiling fans and one glue ion box for cash collection
to the bank.

AG Credit and Marketing Manager, Baboucarr Sawaneh

A logo is simply an emblem or an insignia and it is usually the face of any institution, the Marketing manager said, adding that the new logo is not a simple or ordinary logo, it has more meaning than what it would have
ordinarily been thought to be.

“The new FIB logo actually portraits what the bank is and what it stand for. First International Bank started banking operations in July 1999, and July 2009 was the 10^th year anniversary of the bank,”
Sawaneh said.

According to him, FIBank has been in the country for 10 solid years without any shake and has been providing efficient and effective services to its costumers. He said that as part of reflections on the
achievements of the bank during the ten year period, the Group Heads of the FIB
decided to re-brand the bank.

He pointed out that being in operation for 10 years, regardless of all challenges or odds, marks a big success. However, he noted that the world has ever been on the move and FIB is no exception.

“Despite the success registered, the Bank though it fitting to look at our past, present and map out a way forward so as to better serve all stakeholders and most importantly, our dear customers,” he said.

He said that the re-branding process is on-going and one of the components of this process was to create a new logo that fully represents stance of the Bank in Gambia’s financial circles.

However, he stressed that the new logo does not mean that the name of the Bank has changed. The Bank is still First International Bank as it has ever been.

According to him, the actual meaning of the logo dictates the activities of the Bank, particularly how the Bank does business henceforth. Every element in this new logo signifies important attributes related to the
Bank, its position on the map, the promise we make to our customers, and the
vision of the Bank.

Briefly after the ceremony, Mr. Sawaneh told The Voice that FIBank employs over 90 percent of Gambians, which is a clear indication of its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

He also noted that 95 percent of the shareholders are Gambians, and this is enough to qualify the bank to a Gambian owned. He added that the managing director of the bank has been in the banking industry for
over 35 years and a good number of their staff, who have a great experience of
the financial market.

Sawaneh also reveals that FIBank has over 10,000 high profile costumers in the country.

Decorations

The Bank also recognized the services of its staff that have
been serving from five to ten years or above by awarding certificates. Baboucarr
Sawaneh, Barrister Bennet Edet, Cyrill Ajomo, Elme Ogoh, Mr. Jerreh Sonko, and Ansumana
Gassama were all awarded certificates in recognition of their work and loyalty
to the Bank. Television Sets were also awarded to staffs who served for 10 years
and above.VOL:2 ISSN:82