FALMOUTH, Trelawny — National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) has pumped more than US$1 million into outfitting a rented space at Champion Plaza in Falmouth, in a strategic move to relocate its branch that has long been in the historic town centre to a modern facility. The goal, the bank said, is to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer Wednesday afternoon on the sidelines of the ceremonial opening of the new location, interim Chief Executive Officer of NCB Jamaica Limited, Sheree Martin, said the relocation became necessary after the financial institution outgrew its existing location. She explained that the former branch was no longer suitable to meet the growing demands of customers and staff.

Operations at the new location are slated to fully roll out on Monday, July 6.

“We did have a space problem at the previous location. That branch has been in existence for decades and because it is a heritage site, we were not able to do a lot of major renovations. As the customer base grew, we recognised that it became very uncomfortable, not just for employees, but for customers. It’s too small. It’s cramped because it was built for another time,” Martin explained.

She said the old branch also presented major privacy concerns, with customers often unable to discuss sensitive financial matters discreetly.

“You could just walk straight into the manager’s office, and that’s not secure. Customers couldn’t have conversations with us about their private affairs without people overhearing,” she said, adding that parking limitations further compounded the difficulties.

Sheree Martin, interim chief executive officer, National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Limited, speaking during the ceremonial opening of the new National Commercial Bank Falmouth branch at Champion Plaza on Wednesday.

Martin said the opportunity to move into the newly developed Champion Plaza came at the right time.

“When we heard about this location, we decided that we needed to move the branch and put it somewhere that we could accommodate ease of business, privacy, comfort and access,” she said.

She noted that the new branch offers better geographic positioning, increased space, and significantly improved parking, all of which are critical as Falmouth continues to expand.

But even with the relocation, Martin said NCB is in discussions to retain space at the existing location for automated banking machines (ABMs), ensuring customers can continue to access cash services in the town centre.

“We’re trying to negotiate to keep some of those stations, to keep the ABMs there, even if we’ve given up the space,” she disclosed, noting that the new Champion Plaza location already houses four ABMs.

Martin said the investment sends the clearest signal of NCB’s confidence in Trelawny’s future and its commitment to supporting growth in the parish.

“We’re here, we’re reinvesting in the parish. It’s a testimony to our belief in the parish and the fact that we see the parish growing. Financial services are very important to economic growth, and this investment reflects that,” she said.

The new National Commercial Bank Falmouth branch at Champion Plaza.

She also highlighted the bank’s recently launched $2-billion SME Growth Fund, urging businesses in Trelawny to take advantage of the concessionary financing option.

“We have over 2,000 applications from businesses seeking access to that fund. It has been very well-received and it’s available across all branches, including Falmouth,” Martin said.

Meanwhile, chairman of National Commercial Bank Financial Group Limited Michael Lee-Chin said the institution remains focused on its mission of helping to build a better Jamaica, guided by its philosophy of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Lee-Chin said the values are intended to shape the bank’s culture internally while strengthening its relationship with customers, communities and the country.

“We have to be intentional about the culture we want to build, because if we want to build a better Jamaica, it starts at home [within the bank],” he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Falmouth C Junior Gager congratulated NCB on the relocation of its Falmouth branch to Champion Plaza, describing it as a major step in improving convenient and accessible banking in the parish. He praised the branch team for their professionalism and strong community service, encouraged residents to make full use of NCB’s financial services, and reaffirmed the Trelawny Municipal Corporation’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with NCB to support economic growth and community development.