News
Enough is Enough: Fix Banking NOW!
By: Zhavargo Jolly, All Island Candidate, Progressive National Party
Turks and Caicos, December 25, 2024 – For far too long, the people of Turks and Caicos Islands have endured an outdated, inequitable, and often demeaning banking system. From broken ABMs to endless lines in the scorching heat, it is abundantly clear that our financial institutions have failed us. What’s worse, when homegrown solutions emerge to fill these glaring gaps, they are met with government resistance rather than support. This cannot continue—our people deserve better.
The Failure of Traditional Banks
Let’s start with the facts: the traditional banking system in Turks and Caicos is broken. It does not serve our needs.
- Non-functioning ABMs:Across Providenciales, Grand Turk, and the less populated islands, ATMs routinely fail to dispense cash or accept deposits. Imagine working hard for your money only to be denied access to it when you need it most.
- Unreliable Digital Platforms:While banks encourage us to “go digital,” their systems often crash. For our elderly, navigating this digital maze is not even an option. Why should they suffer? Are our parents, grandparents, and senior citizens to be left stranded just because the system doesn’t work?
- Endless Lines:Long lines outside branches, under the blazing sun, are now a norm. Elderly customers are left to endure these indignities just to withdraw a few dollars. This is a disgrace. Where is the humanity?
- Neglect of Less Populated Islands:Places like North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay, and even Grand Turk are left with limited or no banking services. Business owners are forced to travel with large sums of cash—at their own risk—simply to make deposits.
This system has not only failed us, but it also shows blatant disregard for our dignity and basic needs.
Local Solutions Deserve Support
It is no surprise that local financial institutions like Turks and Caicos Islands Capital have stepped up to fill the void left by these banks. They offer hope to civil servants, small business owners, and working families—ordinary Turks and Caicos Islanders who have been ignored for far too long.
These institutions are not here to replace banks but to complement them. They offer tailored financial solutions that serve our people, with fairness and accessibility at the core. Yet instead of support, they face roadblocks from the very government departments that should champion their efforts.
Take, for example, the direct salary withdrawal system—a simple, effective proposal that would make financing for civil servants easier. Major banks and private lenders already benefit from this system. Yet when local financial institutions seek the same opportunity, the Accountant General cites “resource constraints.” Why? What makes local solutions less worthy?
This favoritism raises troubling questions. Why are foreign-owned banks prioritized over local initiatives? Why are Turks and Caicos Islanders denied the opportunity to lead, innovate, and succeed in their own country?
The Human Cost of Inaction
This is not just a financial issue—it is a human one. I recently witnessed an elderly woman struggling in the sun outside one of the major banks. Security refused to let her inside. I had to intervene to get her shelter, but the question lingers: how many others suffer silently every day?
Our parents, grandparents, and community members are treated as afterthoughts by a system that no longer respects them. Decisions about loans, accounts, and even banking policies are made overseas by executives who know nothing about our struggles or aspirations. Local bankers—who know our families, businesses, and dreams—are sidelined. This cannot stand.
Time for Fairness and Accountability
The Ministry of Finance must act decisively. Turks and Caicos Islanders deserve:
- Accountability from Banks:Banks must be held responsible for fixing their ABMs, improving online platforms, and treating customers with dignity.
- Equal Opportunity for Local Institutions:Local financial institutions must be given the same opportunities as foreign-owned banks to serve our people. Fairness is not negotiable.
- Better Infrastructure for Less Populated Islands:Banking services must be expanded to North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay, and Grand Turk. No one should have to risk their safety to access basic financial services.
Supporting local financial institutions strengthens our economy. It keeps money circulating locally, creates jobs, and builds a future where Turks and Caicos Islanders are at the forefront of progress.
A Call to Action
The time for talk is over. The failures of the banking system are clear. The impact on our people is undeniable. We need a system that respects us, works for us, and includes us.
- To the Civil Service:We have to do our part. Fix the gaps. Support local solutions in order to give Turks and Caicos Islanders the dignity and fairness they deserve.
- To the banks:Serve us better! We helped build your institutions. It is time to show us the respect and service we have earned.
- To my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders:Demand better! Together, we can fix this broken system and build a future where fairness, equity, and dignity are no longer luxuries but rights.
The time for action is now. Enough is Enough, Fix Banking NOW!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
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