Philipsburg, St. Maarten – May 21, 2026 – Customer Appreciation Day 2026, was celebrated across the MCB Group on May 15 through a range of activities recognizing customers and strengthening community ties. As part of this group-wide initiative, The Windward Islands Bank (WIB) marked the occasion by engaging directly with customers and celebrating the relationships built over many years.

WIB senior management and staff took time to personally thank customers who visited the branch and to recognize a group of loyal customers for their continued trust and support.

Mrs. Jas Bryan-Labega, the second person to open an account with WIB when the bank first opened in December 1960, was also among the customers thanked on the day. A respected community stalwart, Mrs. Labega has contributed for many decades to public life, real estate development, and the advancement of sports, including her role as a Founder and Second Vice President of the World Boxing Organization and President of the Sint Maarten Boxing Association. Her long‑standing relationship with the bank reflects WIB’s deep roots in the St. Maarten community.

During the celebration, customers who have been part of WIB’s journey took a moment to share stories that were simple but spoke volumes. These included families who have saved with the bank across generations, entrepreneurs who were supported in pursuing their dreams even without traditional collateral, and business owners who, in difficult times, knew they could pick up the phone and be met with understanding. These reflections captured the close, relationship‑based approach that has always defined WIB’s role on the island.

As part of the day’s activities, special‑edition World Cup Kompa Leon Gift Cards and branded giveaways were distributed to customers who used WIB ATMs and visited participating merchants across the Dutch side of the island, as a small thank you for their loyalty and continued support. Managers also visited several commercial clients and presented tokens of appreciation for their ongoing relationship with WIB.

Through these moments, WIB reaffirmed what has always been at its core: staying accessible, community‑focused, and genuinely connected to the people it serves, while honoring the relationships that have stood the test of time and the customers who have grown with WIB over the years.