![\"Fidelity\"](\"https:\/\/www.bahamastradeinfo.gov.bs\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Fidelity.png\")
The bank is committed to its engagement with the community<\/h3>\nThe bank is committed to its engagement with the community<\/h3>\nFidelity Bank is bringing a more people-centered approach to banking in 2022, while embracing the global transition to digital transactions, by bringing services back to the Family Islands and reopening its Abaco branch, following a $1 million renovation and transformation two and a half years after Hurricane Dorian devastated the infrastructure, the bank\u2019s group Chief Executive Officer Gowon Bowe said yesterday.<\/p>\n
During a press conference to announce Fidelity\u2019s rethinking of its private client and merchant relationships this year, Bowe explained that while other banks have foisted digital transformation onto their customers, Fidelity plans to help its customers understand digital services but still provide the in-person services that some customers prefer.<\/p>\n
\u201cForcing digital banking on persons is not the right approach\u2026 engaging them, encouraging them, showing them the merits and the benefits of doing so but, most importantly, showing them that they don\u2019t need to physically touch someone as long as they are confident that they can always engage with someone on a personal level,\u201d said Bowe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have long maintained ourselves in the Family Islands by engagement with people in the communities. If you\u2019re able to do all that you need to do without a physical presence and you\u2019re confident that when you pick up the telephone you can get through to the entire fidelity team, then you\u2019re confident that any challenges and troubles that you may have, you\u2019ll be able to engage with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bowe said Fidelity plans to strategically place automated banking machines across The Bahamas to ensure banking continuity for Family Island residents.\u00a0He added that the bank is also continuing to work with The Central Bank of The Bahamas on Sand Dollar integration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, we\u2019re going to see some new elements from the Fidelity Group\u2019s merchant services and the move to digital banking,\u201d Bowe said.<\/p>\n
He added that\u00a0the bank has introduced digital services like \u201cClick and Pay\u201d for small business people and plans to put more terminals in the hands of merchants, so that they can accept digital payments.<\/p>\n
Fidelity\u2019s President Gregory Bethel said the bank\u2019s Abaco branch will be reopened before the end of the first quarter of 2022, with newly recruited and trained staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really excited to be back in Marsh Harbour and reaching out to the businesses in the communities around Marsh Harbour,\u201d said Bethel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have outreach in Exuma and in Eleuthera. We are going to show the Family Islands how banks treat, welcome and provide services to people in the Family Islands with all of our digital platforms but, not only that, with our people on the ground building relationships. We don\u2019t push you on a platform and disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bethel said the bank has trained greeters and ambassadors to ensure their clients get a personal touch when using technology. He added that Fidelity\u00a0senior executives plan\u00a0to\u00a0visit each island to meet with community members and businesses to listen to their perspectives on the banking needs on their islands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will find a way to get it done, that is our commitment,\u201d said Bethel.<\/p>\n
Bowe said in 2022, Fidelity is committed to ensuring the relationship between\u00a0the bank and\u00a0its clients is a mutually beneficial one. Yesterday Bowe, Bethel and several other staff members wore orange shirts to usher in this new level of customer service, with the orange serving as a nod to vitamin c and a person\u2019s physical health.<\/p>\n