Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has admitted that more than two million dollars invested in Delta Capital Partners Limited in 2025, was done without proper procedure followed and without his knowledge. Photo: YouTube

Just like in the case of the now defunct Bank of Asia, the money invested in Delta Capital Partners Limited in 2025 was done without the proper regulations being followed. Photo: VINO/File

At a press conference today, July 24, 2026, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) admitted that the money was invested in Delta Capital Partners Limited in 2025; however, just like in the case of the now defunct Bank of Asia, the proper procedure was not followed, which made him unaware of the transaction.

Delta Capital Partners Ltd is currently facing serious legal action in Jamaica as part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL).

“I was not aware of this at the time. This is another instance where the legislation was not followed. This investment would have required the Minister of Finance and the Financial Secretary’s approval. So very similar to the Bank of Asia…I don’t know enough about it to be able to comment.”

FIA investigating

Hon Wheatley assured that the matter is under investigation by the Financial Investigation Agency (FIA). “So, when they come back with their findings, I would be in a better position to share more on that particular topic.”

Both the investments into the Bank of Asia and Delta Capital Partners Limited were done under the former Accountant General Arnold J. Ainsley, who is no longer in the Virgin Islands.

‘This is a culture’

Premier Wheatley also said it is common practice for public officers to invest monies in different banks and financial institutions.

“This is a culture, investing in other banks…Banco Popular, National Bank, all of the banks monies were invested in. We get these short-term investments…and we get our returns on those investments. Now the ones you have brought to the public’s attention are the ones where we have not gotten back the money….and those are the two that stand out because they had challenges.”

Premier Wheatley reiterated that those investments also did not go through the proper channels within the Ministry of Finance, and steps and measures have been taken to correct those failings.

“We passed an investment policy in Cabinet, and we expect full accountability for persons to operate within that investment policy, which we recently passed, [and] which was passed to correct that failing that was taking place.”