TCI News
ScotiaBank Grace Bay closed today, nationwide downsize begins
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday July 20, 2018 – When the doors were locked today at ScotiaBank Grace Bay, it signaled not only the close of another work week, but the complete closure of the branch in a controversial downsizing exercise which has only just begun. 
On June 7, 2018, ScotiaBank confirmed that a format being mimicked region wide by the financial institution will dramatically alter operations in the TCI. Three branches will merge to become one, and that means Grand Turk will – in just over two months- also lose its branch.
From June 7 media release: “The current Head Office at ScotiaCentre, 88 Cherokee Rd Providenciales, which currently houses the Retail Branch, Corporate & Commercial Banking and the Managing Director’s Offices, will become the new home for the full suite of services. As the bank undergoes these changes to align with the regional format, the Grace Bay and Grand Turk operations will ultimately consolidate into the ScotiaCentre facility. The consolidation of the Grace Bay Branch will take effect on July 20, 2018 with Grand Turk Branch following on September 28, 2018. All banking operations will remain business as usual until this time.”
The announcement resulted in masses of customers flocking to the bank branches; the fear of a complete closure with customers’ deposits was the motivation of the rush.
ScotiaBank tried to assuage feelings of alarm, but as news of the decision spread to the Turks and Caicos community, there was furious backlash.
Comments made by the public when Magnetic Media posted news of the closure on June 7, 2018:
“Grand Turk always getting the short end of the stick… apparently ScotiaBank is closing, everything that I have is tied up in that bank. I hate online banking because sometimes you need to go to the bank and speak to officers of the bank. Calling Customer Service here in Grand Turk or in Provo is not fruitful, so that means that if I really need to do business, I will have to pay a hundred dollars to go to the Provo branch…”
“Line are always super long at both locations (especially Leeward Highway)… what a fabulous idea to just consolidate into one; jokes!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Banking will be worse than it already is. Automatic transfer to your employees should be mandatory.”
“Everyone is concerned and commenting on long lines in Provo. Imagine how the customers in Grand Turk and South Caicos will manage without a bank!!!! SMH”
Another writer, reacting to the news simply wrote:
“Oh crap!”
Still ScotiaBank is forging ahead with its plan for a consolidated location with more services, it says. By the final Friday in September, the Grand Turk branch is due to close its doors for good and residents are hoping for a change of heart. It seems unlikely.
From June 7 media release: “We are confident that this move will support the overall objectives of the Bank, and promote the long-term sustainability of Scotiabank in the Turks & Caicos Islands.” commented Curtis Knight, Acting Country Manager, Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. “We appreciate the loyalty of our customers and commit to working with them to ensure a smooth transition. We look forward to serving them at the ScotiaCentre.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday 17 January, 2024: On Thursday 16 January 2025, debris from a failed SpaceX launch impacted the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the immediacy of the outfall, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority diverted all flights in TCI airspace as well as grounded all flights until an all clear had been given.
There are no reported injuries and reports of only minimal damage to property at this time.
Today, Friday, 17 January, TCIG Officials convened a meeting with relevant partners in the United Kingdom including the UK Space Agency, who are supporting the post incident response, including technical expertise on the handling of debris, health and safety risks, protocols and procedures. The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch have been notified and discussions are ongoing with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) who will liaise with SpaceX.
This is now an active investigation led by the US FAA in liaison with UK and TCI counterparts.
We are not at this time aware of any specific risks related to the re-entry of space debris on Thursday 16 January. However, space objects can sometimes contain hazardous materials which can cause serious harm to health. Members of the public who come across objects that they think might be space debris should take the following actions:
Do not touch the object
Make a note of the location (Island and exact coordinates) of the object and the time (including any maritime observations of debris)
If possible take a photograph of the object (without touching it) alongside another object for scale
Notify the authorities by sending the details to nationalsecurity@gov.tc with the subject title Space X Debris.
Space debris remains the property of the spacecraft owner
If you have already handled what you think might be space debris please put it in a safe place where others will not handle it and inform the authorities at nationalsecurity@gov.tc. Further advice will be provided for the collation of the debris.
The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority. We appreciate the community’s vigilance and cooperation as we work alongside international partners to manage this incident.
Turks and Caicos, January 13, 2025 – The Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force successfully intercepted two illegal sloops within the last 24 hours. In the first incident, at around 2:25 a.m. yesterday (January 12), the Maritime Operations Center tracked a suspicious target in the Bird Rock, Long Bay area.
Officers of the Marine Branch were informed, and at 2:35 a.m., they spotted a dark blue wooden vessel with two outboard engines carrying several individuals.
The illegal sloop was intercepted, and officers discovered TWENTY-SEVEN (27) illegal migrants- TWENTY-ONE (21) males, including two
minors and SIX (6) females. All individuals were handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.
Shortly after 1 a.m. today, the Marine Branch, alongside the TCI Regiment, received information that a blue 38-foot wooden Haitian vessel with two outboard engines was in TCI waters.
The vessel was located and intercepted.
Onboard the vessel was ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY-ONE (121) persons – ONE HUNDRED and FOUR (104) males –including a minor and SEVENTEEN (17) females.
Assistant Commissioner (ag) Mat Newton said, “I am grateful to our partners—TCI Border Force and TCI Regiment—for their assistance and support in successfully processing the illegal migrants intercepted by the police. This shows that the layers of security in place are increasingly effective, and we continue to build our defensive measures to tackle this type of crime.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.
Photo Credit: RTCIP
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