This month, for our A Word column, we had a chat with Abdelghani Bouanfir, Director of the Italian branches of Chaabi Bank, the bank that is part of the Moroccan Banque Centrale Populaire Group.

Chaabi Bank has a strong history and has begun expanding into Italy in recent years. What prompted the need to open a branch in our country?

The need to open new branches in Europe is intrinsic to our Group's desire to offer services to its customers right where they live. The Banque Populaire du Maroc arrived in France in 1972. Gradually, thanks to the "European passport," an authorization that allows us to open new branches in Europe, we also established branches in Spain, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. We were born as a local bank, so we are present in every country that welcomes our fellow citizens.

What plans do you have for your target audience here in Italy? What are your bank's distinctive features?

Our goal is to increase banking services for Arab communities in Italy, offering services and assistance, and meeting the needs of Moroccan citizens living abroad. First and foremost, by speaking the right language. We are aware of how difficult it is for our fellow citizens to understand financial plans in a language other than their native tongue. That's why all our employees speak Arabic, French, and Italian. Chaabi Bank also aims to be a bridge between Italian and Moroccan businesses, promoting integration through financial exchanges.

Staff training is one of Chaabi Bank's strengths. Why is it important to invest in staff training?

For us, training is a social, cultural, and economic asset and represents a fundamental element for the growth of any business. Such an important asset must be managed with the utmost professionalism and expertise, both for the company and its employees.

How did you learn about the European School of Banking Management? What is the goal of the training project on customer satisfaction skills development that you're developing with the business school?

The choice of a highly specialized partner like the European School of Banking Management is the result of careful consideration. Since training is key to increasing the value of our Bank, strengthening our staff's skills is essential. We have therefore decided to rely on ESB given its proven experience: we are confident that the training project on customer satisfaction skills development that we are about to launch will significantly contribute to enhancing our Bank's business value.