Bahamas News
CIBC Caribbean FirstStars Awards Showers Praise on Outstanding Employees
Bridgetown, Barbados, – CIBC Caribbean has hit on a winning formula with its digital transformation, with Chief Executive Officer Mark St. Hill recently declaring that 94 per cent of transactions across the regional bank are now done digitally.
Nedra Woodside
An upbeat St. Hill told staff and clients gathered at the Wyndham Grand, Sam Lord’s Castle Hotel in Barbados for the bank’s annual FirstStars Awards Ceremony that Personal and Business Banking Online and Mobile Banking transaction volumes were up 27 percent over the previous year as well as Corporate Online Banking transaction volumes which rose by 11 percent while Over-The-Counter transaction volumes dropped by 23 percent, when compared to the previous year.”
The awards ceremony under the theme Radiating Excellence saw nine of the bank’s shining stars from across the region rewarded for stellar performance. Corporate and Investment Banking dominated the awards with winners Nedra Woodside (Bahamas), Sonia Rutherford (Bahamas), Mikeila Carrington-Eliebox (Barbados), and Priscilla Leonce (Antigua). Sonia Rutherford is a three-time winner of the annual award and Nedra Woodside a double awardee.
St. Hill said the bank has “left most of the old issues behind” and was creating a new legacy. “The majority of our customers in 2024 see and experience an omni-channel bank, providing a first-class service that delivers loans in 10 minutes or less, cards that are printed on the spot, online account opening, online local and international wires – and should I even have to say it – instant payments such as our hugely popular 1st Pay.” He also noted the bank also continued to deliver strong financial results adding that “at the end of our first quarter, our net income was up 16% over last year, and we are continuing to keep a tight rein on our operating expenses”.
He added that it was “safe to say, therefore, that CIBC Caribbean is leading the charge to create a modern digital banking experience that puts the control of being able to do your banking from anywhere at any time firmly in the hands of the client.”
Sonia Rutherford
The CEO who inducted the award winners into the bank’s Hall of Fame hailed them for their commitment to excellence and teamwork noting they were “our bank’s best examples of what happens when you display a winning attitude”.
Chief Human Resources Officer Janine Billy said, “recognition for a job well done is a part of the “Culture of Care” we are working so hard to enshrine as a way of life at CIBC Caribbean”.
She thanked all of the bank’s employees across the region for their hard work and commitment noting “though they may not be standing here this evening receiving one of these awards, their hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed. We see you and thank you for all that you bring to the table every day”.
Billy praised the night’s awardees as “shining examples of the best that CIBC Caribbean has to offer, and I salute each and every one of you”.
Adrian Gomes (Barbados), Caryl Fontaine (St. Lucia), Frederica Green-Brazier (St Maarten) were winners from the Personal and Business Banking segment. Enterprise Security and Fraud Management, Technology had two winners both from Barbados, Rosalind Waterman and Dona Estwick. Thunderous applause filled the room and fireworks exploded on the giant screens as Caryl Fontaine was announced the winner of the CEO’s Award of Distinction, the highest accolade the bank bestows on an employee.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
