Heritage Bank Urges Customers to Disregard Negative Reports on Social Media

James Emejo in Abuja

The management of Heritage Bank Plc has asked customers to disregard social media reports falsely portraying the bank’s financial position in negative light.

It said unrelenting persons keen on dragging the name of the bank in the mud had been behind the de-marketing strategy.

According to the bank, an online report had Friday, falsely and maliciously claimed that “anxious customers jammed the phone lines and websites of Heritage Bank PLC and crowded most of its branch offices to pull out their savings because of concerns about fresh financial problems of the bank.”

The management said: “This report is not just false, it was clearly sponsored with the intent to sully and de-market Heritage Bank which has been severally applauded by industry experts and regulators alike as one of the best managed banks in the country.” In a statement issued at the weekend, the bank said:”We reiterate that Heritage Bank does not have any problems at all, meeting the immediate withdrawal needs or other obligations of our esteemed depositors and it is also utterly false that the bank’s telephone lines and website were “jammed” by customers that were purported to be anxious about their deposits. Indeed no Heritage customer has any cause whatsoever to be anxious about his or her deposit.”

“In spite of being a relatively young bank, Heritage Bank is doing exceedingly well and continues to discharge its responsibilities with precision and utmost professionalism to depositors, investors and all other critical shareholders.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had already issued a public statement emphatically affirming that Heritage Bank remained in good health, advising depositors to go about their transactions with the bank without fear.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) also recently named Heritage bank among the key healthy banks in the country commissioned to handle claims by customers of failed banks in Nigeria.

Other commissioned banks include: First Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank of Africa, Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Unity Bank among others.

“The question is would the NDIC have commissioned Heritage Bank if there was any sign whatsoever that Heritage Bank is troubled?” the statement queried.

It added:”Heritage Bank will not be distracted by the antics of persons who are envious of the modest achievements of Heritage Bank at such a young age. We shall continue to give our depositors and other stakeholders first class and personalized services. On this score we urge our esteemed customers to disregard and discountenance this false report being circulated about Heritage Bank as there is absolutely no cause for anxiety.”