The contemporary banking industry is characterized by rapid technological transformation, increasing customer expectations, digitalization of financial services, workforce diversity, cybersecurity concerns, and intense competition. These developments have elevated the significance of emotional intelligence and human resource optimization as strategic mechanisms for enhancing employee performance and organizational sustainability. Emotional intelligence enables employees to recognize, understand, regulate, and utilize emotions effectively in workplace interactions, while human resource optimization ensures the effective deployment of employee competencies, motivation, and organizational resources. Drawing from Emotional Intelligence Theory and Psychological Ownership Theory, this study examines the implications of emotional intelligence and human resource optimization for employee performance in commercial banks in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study proposes that emotional intelligence dimensions, including self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship management, significantly influence employee productivity, service quality, organizational commitment, and job effectiveness. The study adopts a descriptive survey design and develops an instrument for data collection using a four-point rating scale comprising Very High Extent (VHE), High Extent (HE), Moderate Extent (ME), and Low Extent (LE). Findings are expected to contribute to human resource management practices, employee engagement strategies, talent development initiatives, and organizational performance improvement within the Nigerian banking sector.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Human Resource Optimization, Psychological Ownership, Employee Performance, Commercial Banks, Rivers State.