Released Date - February 01, 2010 SOL – BANKS: SOL/STAR                                       PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 01 Feb 2010   Bank South Pacific chief assures clients of future positive changes   01 FEBRUARY 2010 HONIARA ( SOLOMON STAR) ----- Bank South Pacific (BSP) customers have been assured of new changes, development, and improvements in the future as the bank continues to grow. Bank chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Clyne revealed this last week during his visit in Solomon Islands   BSP purchased 100% of the National Bank of Solomon Islands (NBSI) in April 2007 and since then it has gone through many changes. Mr Clyne said since taking up the post the obvious changes are with the branding of the bank's name to BSP. He said the bank is now working hard to improve on its services and products in the retail and commercial areas to ensure locals can have a much more reliable banking system.   Since taking over the CEO's role 15 months ago in November 2008, Mr Clyne had improved the brand image, grown the bank’s market shares and acquired the Colonial Banking Group of Fiji. He said since last year, BSP's strategy was to expand on the electronic delivery channels, ATMs, EFTPOS, SMS Banking and e-Banking. “"To support these systems BSP will continue to invest in these new systems and processes," he said.   As part of the major changes, the bank has made a capital investment of $175 million kina (SBD$532m) this year for the projects, Mr Clyne said.  He added most of the BSP regional branches will also benefit from these changes. BSP last year launched an aggressive 'Marketing Strategy' to raise its profile in terms of social responsibility and product promotions.   He said these changes will affect their PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Niue operations in the coming months and years.  In Solomon Islands, Mr Clyne said the first initiative is the soon to be launched ATM machines and the development of the BSP branch at Heritage Park Hotel. He said other electronic banking services such as SMS and e-banking will become available in the future.   Meanwhile, 'BSP' will soon embark on a community initiative and projects to assist local activities in the area of health, sports and policing.     Mr  Clyne said in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where is the BSP headquarter is located, the bank had assisted clinics, the police, communities and in sports activities such as tennis and netball.     Mr Clyne said such assistance is to allow the bank support the local activities in some of its community work.     “"We want to see that local communities, organization and clients are part of the bank,” he said.    He said some of these project and initiative have been carried out in PNG. “"And similar project assistance will be undertaken in Solomon Islands soon,” he said. …PNS (ENDS)