Ezulwini: FNB Eswatini has earnestly begun its journey to build its new headquarters.
The bank’s management has already visited Ezulwini for site seeing where the new office block will be constructed.
Touring the place where the office park will be build was FNB Management, FNB CEO, Ezulwini Mayor, and Ezulwini Municipality CEO.
The new three-story building will be nestled at the heart of Ezulwini at the office’s commercial park. Currently, FNB Eswatini has its main offices at the Swazi Plaza in Mbabane.
FNB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Denis Mbingo says this is not only the long-awaited home for FNB Eswatini but will also be the hub of the bank, where all operations will flow from.
He acknowledged the support from the government and the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) as they had been an integral part of initial discussions surrounding the soon-to-be new head office.
We plan to consolidate our operations into one central place because right now they are spread all over the country, yet it can be quite costly to be running multiple operations in the manner we want to be running the business.
So this will be FNB’s primary hub in Eswatini. We are also investing in a building project in Manzini, which will become our secondary hub.
He noted that Ezulwini is a central location for business, Staff, and customers, so it was chosen from a proximity, and technology layout point of view in line with FNB’s operations.
“We are looking at an E200 Million project indicatively. We have also been in an ongoing discussion with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for all necessary approvals, and we are thankful for their support.”
Mbingo disclosed that the bank has also hired a developer, Eris Property Group to manage the construction of the head office. Eris property group comes with a history of working on several projects for FNB and First Rand Group. They have assured us that majority of contracts will be awarded to Eswatini entities, with the primary contractor being based a Swazi-based company.
We would also like to thank all involved in the process that made it possible to start the project including the construction industry council. And the local council’s departments have afforded us much support.
Many elements are considered when the design of an office building starts.
As part of the First Rand Group, there is standard uniformity across properties relating to the group that needs to be present within the design. The design is also inspired by the people who call this their new home.
The tour also included an in-depth explanation of the aspect of the upcoming building. Ezulwini Mayor Bongile Mbingo congratulated the bank on its coming new home, thanking it for choosing Ezulwini.
“We note that this is the first bank to have its head office at Ezulwini and believe that such development will empower the town. FNB has made the right choice and the development will add a lot of value for us,” she said
While the municipality’s CEO Vusi Matsebula also noted that the development encouraged the municipality to do its best in service delivery in bid to attract even more development.
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