News

Growth Plan for Bank of The Bahamas

Published

10 years ago

November 4, 2014

Deandrea S Hamilton

NASSAU, 31 Oct 2014 –

Statement by
The Right Honourable Perry G. Christie MP
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

For 25 years, successive governments have worked hard to transform Bank of The Bahamas from a foreign owned entity into a fully Bahamian owned clearing bank with a unique mix of public and private sector ownership, offering to the public a wide range of banking services in New Providence, Grand Bahama and various Family Islands where other clearing banks have historically shown little interest in going.

Today:

• BOB is 100% Bahamian-owned : 65% by the Government of The Bahamas, with the remaining 35% being widely held by some 3,500 Bahamian shareholders.

• BOB now has total assets of $771 million dollars, compared with only $93 million when the Government acquired ownership of the bank from the Bank of Montreal 25 years ago in 1988.

• BOB has approximately 40,000 depositors today with deposits totalling $679 million dollars.

• BOB has total loan assets of approximately $650 million dollars

• BOB operates through 14 branches in The Bahamas

• BOB employs more than 350 Bahamians.

With all that successive governments have done over the years as majority shareholders of the bank, the guiding resolve has remained the same:

• to maintain the safety and security of customer deposits at all times;

• to ensure that the bank is operated in accordance with regulatory norms imposed by the Central Bank of The Bahamas and industry “best practices” ;

• to ensure that the bank delivers its services to its customers at a world-class standard and in a way that is relevant and responsive to the needs of Bahamians and their national economy ;and

• to ensure that at all times the bank is backed by what is colloquially referred to as the “full, faith and credit” of the government as the majority shareholder, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the bank through a policy on non-interference by the government in day-to-day management and credit decision-making.

Although between 1993 and 2012, BOB enjoyed an unbroken record of profitability, it has, in common with nearly all other clearing banks in The Bahamas, experienced reversals either resulting from or exacerbated by the recent global recession and, in particular, the last U.S. recession.

In the case of the Bank of The Bahamas, the Central Bank, under the leadership of Governor Wendy Craigg, has carefully monitored BOB with particular reference to the risks posed by BOB’s portfolio of non-performing commercial loans. As part of this regulatory oversight, the Central Bank has engaged the Ministry of Finance in constructive dialogue on remediation strategies. Out of this has developed a specific plan of action.

I am therefore pleased to announce this plan today. Here is how it will work:

The Ministry of Finance has established a new Bahamian company, Bahamas Resolve Ltd (“Resolve”) which is wholly-owned and wholly controlled by the Government of The Bahamas. Resolve has taken over B$100M in troubled commercial loans from Bank of The Bahamas, thereby removing this risk from BOB’s books. In so doing, the Bank’s revenue prospects will be immediately and significantly improved. At the same time, shareholder value and the Bank’s overall financial condition will be enhanced as well. It will also allow Bank of The Bahamas to return to profitability in the near future and will restore full compliance with Central Bank and international regulatory standards for capital adequacy.

I should like to emphasize, firstly, that no public treasury or National Insurance funds have been disbursed in connection with the assignment of these loans from BOB to Resolve. However, liability for these debts has been transferred to Resolve along with the benefit of the loans and the underlying security. And as the new owner of the transferred loans, Resolve will be putting special mechanisms in place to assist in the collection of the overdue loans.

Secondly, I should also like to emphasize that this transaction, under which $100 million in commercial loan debt has been transferred from BOB to Resolve, was developed in close consultation with BOB’s legal advisors in this matter, Higgs & Johnson, and BOB’s external auditors, Ernst & Young, both of whom have provided affirmative opinions on the transaction.

And thirdly, I should also like to emphasize that this kind of transaction is not fundamentally dissimilar to state-led re-structurings that were done or accommodated for a number of banks in the more developed economies of the world, including the U.S., in the wake of the 2008 recession.

In addition to what I have just outlined, I wish to make it known that the Bahamas Government, consistently with its 65% stake in BOB, will be pursuing new initiatives designed to steer more public sector business and public employee credit demand towards the Bank of The Bahamas. In doing so, however, the Government will, of course, be mindful of its obligation to maintain a fair and competitive commercial environment for all banks in The Bahamas. I have therefore instructed the Ministry of Finance to determine the best course of action for achieving these objectives on a correctly balanced basis.

In conjunction with the elements of the plan that I have just outlined, the Bank of The Bahamas will also undertake re-structuring action of its own to re-align and re-balance the bank’s business model towards more retail banking, consumer lending and e-banking products.

BOB’s Board of Directors has also been directed to assess its management and cost structure, and to submit recommendations to the Government, as the majority shareholder, for management and administrative re-organization, before the end of 2014.

Together, the plan and measures that I have outlined will help ensure the sustained stability and future growth and profitability of BOB. The Bank of The Bahamas bank has a great and prosperous future ahead of it.

Related Topics:bahamas bank of bahamas Perry G. Christie

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.