The International Bank for Commerce (IBC) has changed name and management recently. The bank, now named Platinum Habib Bank, has the intention of helping its customers reach higher heights.

Mr Chuks Chibundu, a 42-year old Nigerian, is the new Managing Director of the bank. He replaces Mr Mory Gueta Cisse, who has been heading the bank since April 2000. He brings to the post 14 years of co-banking experience. He has worked in different areas ranging from Commercial Banking, Retail Banking and Cooperate Investment Banking.

Mr Chibundu’s last responsibility before leaving home for The Gambia was the bank’s Regional Director for South South.

Commenting Platinum Habib Bank’s relative position within the banking industry, the new Managing Director said: “There are 24 banks in Nigeria. My bank is the 7th largest. We purchased International Bank for Commerce (IBC) in December. We took over the management last week Tuesday.”
 
On his management’s position and plans concerning the current personnel situation and the prospects of the bank, he noted: “We are going to retain all our Gambian staff and we shall expand and reorganize the bank to ensure a better performance. Our goal is to take the bank to be the number one bank in The Gambia. Our plans are to expand and to open two more branches in the country before the end of the year.”

Mr Chibundu further said that in order to improve they had to empower the staff financially and upgrade their technical skills and their competence through training and retention.

He said: “We commend the loyalty of Gambians who supported the IBC. We’ll raise their values and shall continue to do more.”

He then assured their supporters of taking their business to higher heights. The bank, he said, “intends to bring its expertise and financial capacity and to support the growth of the Gambian economy and the good initiative of President Jammeh.”

In conclusion, Mr Chibundu reassured that Platinum Habib Bank (PHB) would create a new banking experience to touch positively.