From left: NCB customers Beryl Clarke, Beverley Powell and Mervis Henry greet NCB Chairman Michael Lee Chin. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The Mandeville branch of National Commercial Bank has a brand new home, and its doors were officially opened last Tuesday to lots of fanfare, ceremony and confetti.

The spacious complex had hundreds of the bank's customers staff and service providers clamouring inside the magnificent banking hall to soak up the ambience.

Group Managing Director Patrick Hylton told customers that they deserve view the new type of facility in which to conduct business. "Rest assured that the quality of service will match the splendour and magnificence of the building," he said.

Bank Chairman Michael Lee Chin could not hide his pleasure with the new structure, and said it compares proudly with any modern structure anywhere in the world. "This could not have happened to a better place than Mandeville. Six years ago, we bought majority shares in NCB, and today this new building is emblematic of the confidence of our people in the future of Jamaica," he said.

For his part, a very proud Branch Manager Winston Lawson thanked everyone who attended the opening and pledged to continue to serve them with pride.

Construction details

Maurice Young (left), winner of one of the spot prizes at the opening of the new branch, collects his winnings from Dennis Cohen.

Construction of the new branch began in November 2006, with in-house project manager Stacey Hamilton at the helm. The project team comprised architect Michael Lake and Associates; main contractor being Tri-Star Engineering Company; quantity surveyors were Stoppi & Bloomfield and mechanical and electrical, consultants were Ashley & Associates Limited.

The overall cost of the 17,000-square foot building was $244 million dollars. The building features a contemporary Georgian design and boasts the largest banking hall in the NCB group. It is equipped with drive-through ABM, drive-through tellers and a walk-in ABM.

The entire construction phase was led expertly by Derrick Clarke, who was also responsible for the Portmore building.

Georgia Allen greets Manchester High School Vice-Principal Dorette Nelson.

Yolande Mitchell, NCB customer for 60 years, is greeted by NCB Chairman Michael Lee Chin (left) and Branch Manager Winstonn Lawson at the opening of the new building that will house the branch, last Tuesday.

Mandeville residents Lascelles and Joyce Charlton enjoy the activities at the opening of the new branch of NCB in Mandeville on Tuesday.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com