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Press Release From Independent Source

CIBC FirstCaribbean donates to VI’s National Relief Fund

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank’s Country Manager, Ms Stephane Burke (right) makes the presentation to Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL). Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands’ National Relief Fund recently received a donation of $100,000 from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. The funds from the bank are to assist in the recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The check was presented by the bank’s country manager, Ms Stephane Burke, to Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) during morning business hours at the bank’s Road Town, Tortola branch on Tuesday, October 2, 2017.

“As part of the fabric of the Virgin Islands community, CIBC FirstCaribbean is committed to helping the territory recover following the terrible destruction caused by the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said Ms Burke. “The support that we are able to give is thanks to funds from the CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ComTrust Foundation to support organisations providing humanitarian relief in the territories that were affected by the storms.”

“Of the $550,000 set aside for such aid, I am very pleased that the BVI is the recipient of $100,000 which we entrust to the National Relief Fund to support plans for youth and education, health and wellness, and the community and the environment,” added Ms Burke.

On accepting the donation in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Premier Dr The Honourable Orlando Smith spoke of the “three substantial events in the past several weeks: The August floods, Hurricane Irma and the Hurricane Maria,” said the Honourable Premier. “It is a lot of the work that the Territory has to be done and I can't emphasise enough the importance of our banks in this whole recovery effort; without the banks, we cannot buy and sell. I want to thank you and the other banks for getting on the job as quickly as possible and opening the banks so that commerce can continue."

The country manager went on to acknowledge the bank’s staff, who, despite their own personal experiences and losses, returned to work one week after the passage of Irma. She also addressed the customers in the banking hall at the time of the presentation, reassuring them that all banking services are up and running. Ms Burke further encouraged all customers to speak to a relationship manager for all requests for financing and moratoriums on loans.

“We are working closely with all of our clients, especially those whose homes, properties and businesses were damaged or destroyed as a result of the storms,” said Ms. Burke. “Our aim is to provide manageable financial solutions customised to your individual needs and geared to helping you to get back on your feet. We are facilitating moratoriums and loan financing to assist in the rebuilding efforts so we ask you to speak with a relationship manager to see how we can help.”

The storms had a devastating impact on the islands in the Northern Caribbean, particularly the [British] Virgin Islands, St Maarten, Anguilla, Grand Turk, and Dominica. “We stand by our colleagues and clients during this difficult time,” said Gary Brown, CEO, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. “We are committed to working closely with our clients, colleagues, and communities to recover and rebuild. The road to recovery in some of the hardest hit areas will be long, but we will help each other through it.”

In total, eight of the islands where CIBC FirstCaribbean has operations – the [British] Virgin Islands, St Maarten, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica - were affected by the storm.

Operations have restarted and the bank is working closely with its employees and clients as recovery efforts get underway.

CIBC FirstCaribbean has approximately 3,000 employees in 17 countries in the Caribbean. The PrivateBank and CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management also have offices in Florida, which have been impacted.

1 Response to “CIBC FirstCaribbean donates to VI’s National Relief Fund”

  • 7m gone (15/10/2017, 18:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why not just forgive some loans as I do not trust dr smith with this


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