BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 7th April 2021)-With a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday 6th April 2021, after 35 years of operation, The Bank of Nevis officially showcased establishing its first branch in St.Kitts’ capital of Basseterre at premises once owned by Royal Bank of Canada on Fort Street in the vicinity of The Circus.
That morning’s opening ceremony was highlighted with remarks by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, Premier Mark Brantley, Central Bank Governor Timothy Antoine and Bank of Nevis’s Board Chairman Laurie Lawrence.
Each speaker in his own way extolled the humble beginnings of the bank and it starting share capital of $250,000 (XCD) and that the bank is a symbol of the economic independence of the federation.
In an interview with this media house, Premier Brantley described the Bank of Nevis as “A quintessential Nevisian institution” which has grown in leaps and bounds. He commented on Tuesdays opening to have been “the culmination of a long-held dream of the late great Simeon Daniel who saw great things happening.”
The Premier spoke glowingly of the bank’s expansion from only five ( 5) employees at the start in 1985 to its present complement over 140 staff members and an asset base growth to now over $1.5 billion (XCD).
“This expansion should be commended and I wish the institution every success,” Premier Brantley concluded.
On hand to cut the ribbon at Tuesday’s opening ceremony was Lady Sheila Daniel, widow of the late Premier Daniel. The visibly elated Lady Sheila present to see another facet of her husband’s social and economic vision blossom and bring fruit.
The Bank of Nevis offers a full range of banking services which include ATM services, online banking, brokerage services, merchant services and foreign exchange purchases and sales. The bank is guided by the motto, “Improving the Quality of Life.”
Before Tuesday’s opening, the Bank of Nevis offered a comprehensive range of banking services primarily to Nevis-based clientele.
The bank’s work on Nevis helped to promote the vision of the island’s first premier, Simeon Daniel, who rallied others to incorporate the bank on August 29, 1985.
In December 2019, the Bank of Nevis joined with other members of a consortium of indigenous banks of the OECS to buy the banking operation of the Royal Bank of Canada which had announced its decision to leave the islands. With the required regulatory approval and other closing conditions, the Bank of Nevis has completed all steps to adequately replace the Royal Bank of Canada.