Connect with us

News

Growth Plan for Bank of The Bahamas

Published

on

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.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

Published

on

Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

Continue Reading

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

Continue Reading

Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

Published

on

February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING