The Scotia Group dispatched invites for customers across its business lines of corporate and commercial banking, investments, insurance, small business and premium banking to attend the financial institution’s holiday soirée at Hope Zoo’s main lawn last Thursday.

The after-hours shindig — hosted under a Promo Biz-styled marquee accented by a canopy of lights, chandeliers and white banquettes — was emceed by vivacious media personality Dahlia Harris, who facilitated giveaways to clients who could correctly answer Scotia trivia questions. Chef/caterer Jacqui Tyson enticed palates with her gourmet cuisine while reggae crooner Christopher Martin was the featured entertainment.

In his brief address to clients, the evening’s host, Scotia President and CEO David Noel, who welcomed customers alongside Senior Vice-President, Corporate and Finance Planning Craig Mair, expressed gratitude for their continued support.

“This event,” he told them, “is our way of saying thanks, as without you, we wouldn’t have a business. We are going to continue to make investments in our business and serve you as best we can. We believe that’s a win-win situation in which we can do well and earn revenue, but we are also adding value to our customers.”

Speaking, post-event, to Sunday Social, Noel said: “Scotiabank had a good year in 2017. It was one of our best years. Business performed well across our business lines and we are proud of our performance. We expect 2018 to be an even better year.”

He revealed that investments are to be made around technology and our online investing platforms”.

“We have seen for the first time in 2017, more transactions happen online and through our mobile banking platforms than in our branches, and so we are seeing a shift in customer behaviour and we are going to continue to invest in those those platforms to ensure we are successful.”