Below is an analysis of Société Ivoirienne de Banque (SIB) based on the requested criteria, focusing on its official website (https://sib.ci/), online complaints, risk assessment, website security, WHOIS data, IP and hosting, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion. The analysis draws on available web information and critical evaluation, ensuring no unsupported claims are made.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

• Findings: There is limited publicly available information on specific customer complaints about SIB in English-language sources. No major complaint aggregators (e.g., Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau) feature prominent reviews or complaints about SIB, likely due to its regional focus in Côte d’Ivoire and French-language dominance. Social media platforms like LinkedIn show promotional content but no visible customer grievances.
• Analysis: The absence of widespread complaints could indicate low customer dissatisfaction or limited online visibility in global complaint forums. However, regional forums or French-language platforms may contain complaints not captured here. Users should check local Ivorian consumer protection websites or forums for more context.
• Risk Level: Low, based on lack of visible complaints, but incomplete data suggests caution.

2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Operational Risk: SIB is a well-established bank, operating since 1962, and a subsidiary of Attijariwafa Bank, a leading African banking group. Its financial performance is strong, with a reported 50 billion FCFA profit in 2024 and a 6% profit increase in Q3 2024. It holds an “AA-” rating with a stable outlook, indicating financial stability.
• Cybersecurity Risk: SIB’s website appears to have basic security measures, but there are concerns (see Website Security Tools below). The bank emphasizes compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards, suggesting efforts to mitigate fraud and reputational risks.
• Overall Risk Level: Moderate. Financial stability is high, but website security issues and limited complaint visibility warrant caution.

3. Website Security Tools ¶

• SSL/TLS: The website (https://sib.ci/) uses HTTPS, indicating an SSL certificate, which encrypts data between the user and server.
• Security Headers and Vulnerabilities: Limited data is available on specific security headers (e.g., Content Security Policy, X-Frame-Options). A report from rankchart.org notes issues like improper HTML structure (e.g., misplaced “link” elements, invalid attributes), which could indicate poor website maintenance but not necessarily critical vulnerabilities.
• Google Safe Browsing: No reports indicate that sib.ci is flagged as malicious. McAfee and Norton ConnectSafe also show no immediate red flags for unsafe content.
• Mobile Optimization: The site is mobile-friendly per Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, but page load times may need improvement.
• Analysis: The site has basic security (HTTPS), but potential coding issues suggest room for improvement in website maintenance. No major vulnerabilities were reported, but users should ensure they’re on the legitimate site (https://sib.ci/) to avoid phishing risks.
• Risk Level: Moderate due to minor coding issues and lack of detailed security header information.

4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: sib.ci
• Registrar: AVISO
• Registration Date: March 8, 2018
• Expiration Date: Expired on March 8, 2024 (per some sources, though the site remains active, suggesting renewal).
• Last Updated: March 1, 2023
• Analysis: The domain is registered through a legitimate Ivorian registrar (AVISO). The reported expiration in March 2024 is concerning, but the website’s continued operation suggests it was renewed, though WHOIS data may not reflect this yet. Users should verify the domain’s active status via a WHOIS lookup tool (e.g., whois.domaintools.com) before interacting.
• Risk Level: Low, assuming renewal; moderate if expiration is unresolved.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• IP Address: 213.136.106.52
• Hosting Location: Servers are located in Côte d’Ivoire, consistent with SIB’s operations.
• Web Server Software: Apache
• DNS Records: Includes 1 SOA record, 1 A record, 3 NS records, 1 MX record, and 5 TXT records (e.g., SPF records for email security, Microsoft-related entries). No AAAA records were found, indicating no IPv6 support.
• Analysis: Hosting in Côte d’Ivoire aligns with SIB’s regional focus, reducing latency for local users. Apache is a widely used, reliable web server. The presence of SPF and Microsoft-related TXT records suggests efforts to secure email communications. Lack of IPv6 support is not a major risk but indicates slower adoption of modern protocols.
• Risk Level: Low, as hosting and DNS configurations appear standard.

6. Social Media Presence ¶

• LinkedIn: SIB has an active LinkedIn page with 69,241 followers, posting regularly about financial performance, recruitment, and corporate social responsibility (e.g., health initiatives, certifications). Posts emphasize customer trust and services like “Crédit Proprio” and “SIB CASH 24.”
• Other Platforms: No specific data on X, Facebook, or Twitter presence, but SIB’s website and LinkedIn mention digital banking services, suggesting possible activity on other platforms.
• Analysis: The LinkedIn presence is professional and consistent with a reputable bank. Lack of data on other platforms may reflect a regional focus or limited global social media engagement. Users should verify official accounts to avoid fake profiles.
• Risk Level: Low, based on professional LinkedIn activity.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Domain Expiration Concerns: The reported expiration of sib.ci in March 2024 (though the site remains active) could indicate a lapse in domain management, posing a risk if hijacked.
• Website Coding Issues: Minor HTML errors (e.g., misplaced elements) suggest suboptimal website maintenance, which could indirectly affect user trust or security.
• Limited Complaint Visibility: The lack of accessible complaint data may hide issues, especially in non-English or local forums.
• Phishing Risk: As a bank, SIB is a potential target for phishing scams mimicking its website. Users must ensure they access the correct URL (https://sib.ci/).
• Analysis: No blatant red flags (e.g., malware, fake domain) were identified, but domain expiration and coding issues are minor concerns. The banking sector’s inherent phishing risk requires vigilance.
• Risk Level: Moderate due to minor issues and phishing potential.

8. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Content Overview: The website (https://sib.ci/) promotes SIB’s banking services, including retail, corporate, and investment banking, with products like savings accounts, loans, and digital banking (e.g., SIB CASH 24). It highlights SIB’s history, Attijariwafa Bank affiliation, and compliance with AML/KYC standards.
• Transparency: The site provides contact details, a privacy policy, and information on data protection, aligning with regulatory expectations. It also mentions its listing on the BRVM (Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières) since 2016.
• User Experience: The site is mobile-friendly but has reported load time issues, which could frustrate users.
• Analysis: Content is professional and consistent with a legitimate bank. Transparency on compliance and ownership is a positive sign. Load time issues are a minor drawback but not a security risk.
• Risk Level: Low, as content aligns with a reputable institution.

9. Regulatory Status ¶

• Licensing: SIB is a licensed bank in Côte d’Ivoire, regulated by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) under the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) framework. It is a subsidiary of Attijariwafa Bank, a major regulated entity.
• Compliance: SIB adheres to international AML and KYC standards, with real-time monitoring of transactions for sanctions compliance (e.g., ONU, UE, OFAC lists). It is also accredited with the BRVM for securities trading via its subsidiary, Attijari Securities West Africa.
• Awards: SIB was named “Best Bank in Côte d’Ivoire” in 2018 by The Banker (Financial Times) and received an excellence award in 2017.
• Analysis: SIB’s regulatory status is robust, with oversight from BCEAO and alignment with international standards. Its awards and BRVM listing enhance credibility.
• Risk Level: Low, due to strong regulatory backing.

10. User Precautions ¶

• Verify Website: Always access SIB via the official URL (https://sib.ci/) and check for HTTPS. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or messages, as phishing is a risk in banking.
• Secure Transactions: Use secure, private networks (not public Wi-Fi) for online banking. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if offered.
• Monitor Accounts: Regularly check bank statements for unauthorized transactions and report issues to SIB immediately (contact: 27 20 20 00 00).
• Check Local Reviews: Seek feedback from Ivorian customers via local forums or consumer protection agencies to uncover region-specific issues.
• Password Security: Use strong, unique passwords and avoid sharing personal details via email or unverified channels.
• Analysis: Standard banking precautions apply, with emphasis on phishing awareness due to SIB’s sector and minor website concerns.

11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Similar Domains: Rankchart.org lists potential lookalike domains (e.g., sib.com, sib.net, ib.ci, wib.ci), which could be used for phishing or brand impersonation. None are confirmed malicious, but users must verify the exact URL (sib.ci).
• Acronym Overlap: “SIB” could be confused with other institutions (e.g., Standard Investment Bank, Savings Institute Bank). SIB’s affiliation with Attijariwafa Bank and its .ci domain help distinguish it.
• Analysis: The risk of brand confusion is moderate due to generic acronym usage and lookalike domains. The .ci country-code domain ties SIB to Côte d’Ivoire, reducing global confusion but not eliminating phishing risks.
• Risk Level: Moderate, mitigated by clear branding and regional focus.

12. Overall Risk Summary ¶

• Low Risk Areas: Financial stability, regulatory status, social media professionalism, hosting configuration, and website content.
• Moderate Risk Areas: Website security (minor coding issues, load times), domain expiration concerns, limited complaint visibility, phishing potential, and brand confusion.
• High Risk Areas: None identified, but incomplete data on complaints and social media beyond LinkedIn leaves gaps.

13. Recommendations for Users ¶

• Confirm you’re on https://sib.ci/ before entering credentials.
• Conduct a WHOIS lookup to verify domain status if concerns arise.
• Use secure devices and networks for banking transactions.
• Check local Ivorian sources for customer feedback.
• Be cautious of unsolicited communications claiming to be from SIB.
• Contact SIB directly (27 20 20 00 00 or via official website) for verification of services or issues.

14. Limitations ¶

• Limited English-language complaint data may skew the analysis.
• French-language or local Ivorian sources were not fully explored due to language and access constraints.
• Detailed website security scans (e.g., penetration testing) were not conducted, relying on secondary reports.
• Social media analysis is incomplete beyond LinkedIn. If you need a deeper dive into specific aspects (e.g., French-language complaints, real-time security scan), please clarify, and I can guide you on tools or methods to pursue further. For pricing or subscription details related to SIB’s services, visit https://sib.ci/. For xAI API-related queries, see https://x.ai/api.