How staff members react to the closure of Heritage Bank

Heritage Bank employees have shared varying reactions to the bank’s recent closure.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the revocation of Heritage Bank’s license on June 3 after weeks of unstable operations that left many customers stranded.

The CBN stated that the revocation of the license was in line with its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria under the powers of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act.

The announcement caused panic among the bank’s depositors, prompting many to rush to the bank’s headquarters in Lagos to withdraw their funds. However, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) assured depositors that it would pay them their insured sums, fulfilling the legal responsibility for which it was established.

But less thought is given to another crucial category of people who find themselves on the receiving end of the situation: the bank workers who suddenly found themselves out of work in the wake of the shutdown. For example, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has lamented that the authorities appeared to have left bank workers behind.

Many of the bank’s employees also expressed their feelings about the closure on LinkedIn, a career-oriented social media platform.

They expressed disappointment at the turn of events and concern about an uncertain future. Against all odds, many of them are resolutely hopeful and encourage their colleagues to see the setback as an opportunity for new opportunities.

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Disappointment

No matter how prepared one may be for life’s eventualities, losing a job is a stinging disappointment.

Amakievi Lambert, who worked as a talent resources professional for over three years, shared a post revealing her nostalgic feelings about her bank closing.

“Today I write with a heart full of mixed emotions. The Central Bank of Nigeria recently revoked the license of Heritage Bank, a place I proudly call my professional home. “This sudden change has brought uncertainty and challenges for all of us who are part of this incredible institution,” Lambert wrote.

Amakievi Lambert

Another former employee, Grace B, who worked as an executive cashier for a year and five months, expressed her disappointment.

“I remember several instances where I sat alone and asked God why He allowed this to happen without warning,” she wrote. “Now I understand when people say that everything can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye; I guess that’s the definition of life.”

Stanislas Ezirike, who worked as an HR performance manager for a year and two months, also wrote an emotional thought about his last day in the role. “Today I left home early to go to my workplace, as I had always done. But unlike in the past, I went to clean my desk and left my workplace for the last time,” he wrote.

Stanislas Ezirike

Life lessons

Chiamaka Udeh, a customer service representative for one year and three months, considered the situation a life lesson and emphasized that failures and setbacks are opportunities for growth.

“If life has taught me anything in this regard, it is that failures and setbacks are part of the life experience. Although painful and discouraging, they make you question your entire life, your professional goals and your dreams,” Udeh wrote.

Chiamaka Udeh

Cheer up

Despite the uncertainty and rising cost of living in the country, many former Heritage Bank workers quickly recovered from the shock and disappointment of suddenly losing a job and took it upon themselves to encourage others to rise from the ashes of a job. lost.

Mother Dan-Egwu, who has dedicated more than 25 years to her banking career, 10 of which were spent in different roles, including as a human resources professional at Heritage Bank, has shared two posts dedicated to encouraging her colleagues affected by the closing of the bank.

“With the unexpected closure of our bank, many of us feel unsure about the future. A job is more than just a professional setback; It affects our livelihoods, our families and our sense of stability. However, in these difficult times, our true strength and resilience shines through,” Ms Dan-Egwu wrote.

Mother Dan-Egwu

Drawing on her training and experience as a human resources expert, she wrote in another post: “Remember, losing a job does not define you. It is a chapter, not the whole story.”

He urged his colleagues to acknowledge their feelings, as “it’s okay to feel disappointed and insecure.”

He also urged them to reflect and reassess to gain inspiration for next steps, leverage their network, consider learning new skills, and stay positive and persistent.

“A healthy mind and body will keep you resilient, and only a living being can serve a purpose,” he wrote, asking his colleagues to take care of themselves, meditate and spend time with their loved ones. “Allow yourself the space to process these emotions. They are a natural part of the journey,” he wrote.

Lambert also encouraged her colleagues to support each other during difficult times.

“To my colleagues facing similar uncertainties: let’s come together and support each other. Our strength lies in our unity and our ability to adapt and grow. Let’s leverage our networks, share opportunities, and keep moving forward,” she wrote.

Grace B, the former cashier, expressed hope for a better future.

“I hope all colleagues affected by the closure of Heritage Bank Plc find solace in a deep breath of hope,” his post read. “We will get through this in no time. Pointing fingers or cursing at someone is not the solution. It’s time to dust off and keep your face illuminated; “Eventually we will be okay and we will look back on this as a learning experience.”

Preparing for new opportunities

Omagbemi Oritsebumem, a former POS systems administrator who worked at Heritage Bank for two years, quickly shifted her focus to new opportunities. In her LinkedIn post she highlighted her experience in managing POS, settlement/reconciliation and virtual banking businesses.

“During my two years at Heritage Bank, I developed strong skills in managing POS-related projects, ensuring accurate settlements and reconciliations, and interacting with customers to provide top-notch service,” he wrote.

Omagbemi Oritsebubem

Likewise, despite his disappointment, Ezirike remains confident that his experience will lead to new job opportunities.

“While this has been a challenging period, I am eager and determined to leverage my skills and experience into a new opportunity. As an experienced employee relations officer, Excel expert, and data analyst, I bring a unique combination of human resources experience and data-driven insights,” she wrote.

Lambert is also optimistic about the future and is confident that his experience at Heritage Bank will open new doors for him.

“While it has been difficult to process this news, I choose to focus on hope and resilience. Heritage Bank Plc was more than just a place of work; It was a community where I grew, learned, and forged invaluable relationships. The skills and experiences I gained here have given me a solid foundation to navigate this transition and take advantage of new opportunities,” she wrote.

Mrs. Udeh also sees this challenge as an inspiration to find new solutions.

“So right now, I should focus on seeing my setbacks as an opportunity to reflect, improve and move forward,” Ms. Udeh wrote.

Ms Dan-Egwu assured her colleagues that her experience would lead to new opportunities.

“Each of us has demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication and professionalism. This setback does not diminish these qualities; They are the ones that will propel us towards new and even greater opportunities,” said one of his posts.