Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Conclusion of AGM and Conference 2024 in Barbados
Saint Lucia, November 4, 2024 – The Caribbean Association of Banks Inc. (CAB) is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference 2024, held in the vibrant setting of Barbados. This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, reflecting on over five decades of commitment to the banking industry. The conference, which took place from October 22 to October 26 brought together esteemed members, industry leaders, and stakeholders from across the globe. Participants engaged in enlightening discussions, workshops, and networking sessions that focused on the future of the banking and financial services sector, highlighting innovations and collaborative opportunities.
The conference featured an engaging Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) workshop designed to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills and strategies to navigate today’s increasingly competitive business landscape. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from industry experts and participate in interactive sessions that fostered collaboration and innovation.
“Through the MSME workshop, we aimed to empower local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive,” said Wendy Delmar, Chief Executive Officer of the CAB. “We are grateful to our partner, Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited for their commitment to supporting our vision. Their contributions were vital in making this event a resounding success.”
A highlight of the event was the announcement of the unopposed re-election of the board of directors who will continue to steward the CAB into its next chapter. We are excited to continue to work with the Chairperson, Ms. Leesa Kow, representing JN Bank Ltd. Ms. Kow who is very ably supported by Vice Chairperson, Mr. Michael Walcott, of Republic Bank Ltd. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an honorary member, is represented by Mrs. Evelyn Wayne. The rest of the Board includes directors in the persons of Bank of Montserrat Ltd. – Mr. Dalton Lee; First Citizens Bank Ltd. – Keshwar Khodai; National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited- Mrs. Tanya Watson-Francis; Cayman Islands Development Bank- Ms. Tracy Ebanks; Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited- Mr. Stephen Grell and Ansa Merchant Bank (Barbados) – Mr. Corey Knight.
Their diverse expertise and commitment to fostering change will continue to be instrumental in driving our mission forward as we navigate the evolving landscape of banking.
“We are immensely grateful for the support we’ve received over the past 50 years,” said Ms. Leesa Kow, Chairperson. “This anniversary not only allows us to celebrate our achievements but also to look ahead to the future with renewed energy and purpose. The new board is poised to bring fresh perspectives that will help us innovate and expand our impact.”
The conference also featured engaging speakers being led by the opening night feature speaker, Deputy Governor General of the Central Bank of Barbados, Mr. Alwyn Jordan. The plenary sessions were opened by keynote speaker Dr Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary General of the CARICOM. The closing speaker Mr Mac Donald Dixon who has served the region in a myriad of positions in the industry, now a published author and poet, who all spoke on the significant role which the CAB has and continues to play in bridging gaps and providing critical training to the industry players while preparing their members by offering shared valuable insights into emerging trends and challenges facing our sector. The collaborative spirit of the discussions fostered meaningful connections, empowering participants to share best practices and inspire each other. One of the key areas of focus for the event was bringing to light the extent of the need for unity and being able to offer a united approach to tackling some of the issues which plague us due to our size and scale.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our title sponsor, MTX Group, whose generous support played a crucial role in making this event possible. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge all our sponsors for their invaluable contributions; Diamond Sponsors: Euro Exim Bank Ltd, Howden Insurance Brokers, Infosys, The Ksquare Group and Afreximbank; Platinum sponsors: Hitachi Systems Security Inc., ERI Banking Software Ltd, Berkeley Bank & Trust Ltd, Crown Agents Bank Limited, Temenos USA Inc and Gold sponsors: Finastra Technology Inc., Jack Henry, Cresent Digital, The American Group Raymond James, Ictual NV, Newgen Software, Grant Thornton, Bevertec, Highgate, Ansa Merchant Bank and Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd.
Other sponsors include Netinfo, Sterling Asset Management Ltd, The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Caribbean Airlines, Liat and IDB Invest.
As we look forward to the coming year, the Caribbean Association of Banks Inc. remains dedicated to its mission of influencing matters of interest to financial institutions through advocacy and education, ensuring that we continue to serve our members and the broader community effectively.
For more information about the conference, the new board, or upcoming initiatives, please visit www.cab-inc.com or contact us at cab@candw.lc.
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