Bhanu Choudhrie's Customers Bank Celebrates Accolades for Chairman, Jay Sidhu

Customers Bank, a banking subsidiary of Bhanu Choudhrie's Customers Bancorp, Inc., is a community-based, full-service bank that offers equal housing lending opportunities to a complete range of small and medium sized-organizations, professionals, individuals and communities. With offices spread across Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Rhodes Island, the bank is dedicated towards fostering customer loyalty via industry-leading technology and computing.

Listed on NASDAQ, under the symbol CUBI, Customers Bancorp, Inc., gained 5.14% to $18.40 in the early hours of 2nd December making it to the top of Small-Cap Stars Financial Heaps. Offering bigger and better returns than other mega-cap investing organisations, Customers Bancorp Inc.’s daily average volume is 76,134 shares.

Collectively known as ‘Customers’, the bank also announced an increase in its estimated earnings per share for the years 2014 & 2015. In a recent press release the bank communicated it’s per share guidance to shot up with $1.49 to $1.53 and $1.75 to $1.80 for the two consecutive years.

The company owes a major part of its success to Jay Sidhu (Chairman and CEO of Customers). In his visionary statement,  he said, “While we (Customers) are on a right track and our results to date and future expectations reflect on our successes, we are still focused on reaching our two to three year goals of about a 1.0% return on assets, a 12.0% return on equity and efficiency ratio in the 40's."

Recipient of the prestigious ‘Most Admired CEO’ award for the year 2014 in a recent event organised at Philadelphia, Sidhu joined the company in the year 2009 when it was still known as ‘New Century Bank’, a $ 250 million troubled bank. Before leading ‘Customers’, he was the chairman and CEO of Sidhu Advisors, LLC, a private equity and financial consulting organization. His prolific career also includes leading the 17th largest bank in the United States, Sovereign Bank.

Speaking at the occasion, an overwhelmed Sidhu said, “I am honoured to have received this award. I am also blessed to have colleagues and staff who have helped me shape Customers Bank into a company that adheres to our vision of customer service and growth. They have my utmost gratitude and admiration.”

C&C Alpha’s Ananda Spa: An Exotic Getaway

The centuries-old tradition of Indian Ayurveda has fast turned India from a cultural destination into a nirvana of fitness and wellness, attracting several domestic and international tourists each year. With international celebrities vouching for the efficacy of the Indian restorative system, a majority of people these days are willing to experience a healthier escape from the otherwise monotonous and hectic work schedules.

Practiced for over 5,000 years, Ayurveda has become a synonym for rejuvenation and relaxation. A prominent name in Ayurveda spa treatments is Ananda Spa, in the Himalayan foothills, which forms part of the Shanti Hospitality Ltd, of which Bhanu Choudhrie is a Director. Positioned in the tranquillity of Himalayas at 3,000 feet, close to the mythological cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, this exotic spa destination endeavours to provide treatments, which are founded on Yoga, Vedanta and Ayurveda.

Ananda as the name suggests blissful, springs from an interesting and prolific blend of Ayurveda and Aromatherapy with modern spa technologies for complete wellness of the body. About 260 kms North of New Delhi, Ananda is positioned around Maharaja Palace estate with breath-taking views of Ganges and mountain peaks, which stimulates the mind and spirit to their best potentials.

Some of the primary distinguishing features of the spa destination include Yoga pavilions, landscaped gardens, terraces facing a clear sky, spas equipped with hydrotherapy services, a golf course on its Himalayan axle and Rejuvenation Cuisine.

The eclectic treatments as available in the Spa Resort are meditated to stabilize the three dosha’s, namely-Vata, Pitha and Kapha. The Ayurvedic teachings claim that it is only the harmony and balance between these three, which can warrant complete health to an individual. The fundamental founding of the retreat is instituted on redefining lifestyle to incorporate established Indian wellness regime (of Ayurveda, Vedanta and Yoga) in an individual’s daily schedule.

Known to be one of the most refreshing options for spa holiday and a big name in Resort Spa catalogue by Fashion Lady, the ayurvedic treatments in this Himalayan panorama are tailored to suit the native weather conditions. Use of less oil, slow and synchronised massages and regulation of a nutritious diet are one of the customized services which tourists can benefit from.

Ananda Resort and Spa offer a healthy and revitalising experience in the warmth of Himalayan panorama. Shanti Hospitality Group Ltd offers a range of diverse hotels worldwide. Bhanu Choudhrie is a Director of Shanti Hospitality Group and also private equity company C&C Alpha Group Ltd.

C&C Alpha's Hospitality Portfolio Villa Azur Host Project Ethos Miami Debut

Villa Azur, the hospitality subsidiary of Bhanu Choudhrie's C&C Alpha Group hosted Project Ethos’ debut in Miami on Tuesday 11th November from 8pm to 2am. The event was sponsored by Java Monster Coffee and featured a fashion show of emerging designers, a live art gallery, DJ performances and Java Lounge for the guests to relax and rejuvenate.

Project Ethos - inaugurated at the historic El Rey Theatre on August 27th, 2005 in Los Angeles and is the first of its kind fashion show, art gallery and live concert under a single roof held in just one night. The authenticity of the concept and its fresh approach has made it an instant hit. The project is open to both the industry and the public.

With over 750 guests, the first edition of the project at El Rey turned a real crowd-puller. The foregoing editions have, on average, had a footfall of around 1,500 fashion designers, musicians and artists getting together. Having held its large scale productions at various high-end places like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Las Vegas, Arizona, Chicago and New York, the project inaugurated a landmark debut in Miami this year.

Project Ethos in Miami presented a stimulating roster of designers and other talents -Liberty Garden, Blank Silk, Natalya Toporova Swimwear and Style Mafia, with music by Stephan M. The event, in the presence of live artists like Jake Cordero, Paola Gracey, LisArte and Joshua Oliveria, showcased orchestral music at its very best.

With Java Monster being the official sponsor for the event this year, the guests had all the advantage to enjoy drinks that included Mean Bean, Vanilla Light and Loca Moca.

In the end, it was Villa Azur, restaurant and lounge owned by Bhanu Choudhrie's C&C Alpha Group that turned out a winner by bringing a unique experience to the South Beach with its ultra-romantic décor and sharp service. It welcomed guests from around the globe, making the event a memorable one.