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High praise for Hon Lorna G. Smith from Premier Wheatley @Fintech on the Seas

- Acknowledges Hon Smith's 'wealth of experience, strategic foresight, & steadfast advocacy for VI’s financial services sector'
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) applauded the work of Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) during the opening ceremony of Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit on June 25, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Premier Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) also thanked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BVI Finance, Ms Elise Donovan, and her team for organising Fintech on the Seas. Photo: Facebook
Premier Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) also thanked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BVI Finance, Ms Elise Donovan, and her team for organising Fintech on the Seas. Photo: Facebook
Over 150 global leaders in Fintech, blockchain, and digital assets are in the Virgin Islands Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit, which ends today, June 27, 2025. Photo: BVI Finance
Over 150 global leaders in Fintech, blockchain, and digital assets are in the Virgin Islands Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit, which ends today, June 27, 2025. Photo: BVI Finance
Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit began on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Necker Island. Photo: Office of the Premier
Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit began on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Necker Island. Photo: Office of the Premier
Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit began on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Necker Island. Photo: Office of the Premier
Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit began on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Necker Island. Photo: Office of the Premier
NECKER ISLANDS, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) applauded the work of Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) during the opening ceremony of Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit.

The three-day summit began on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on Necker Island. 

Expressing gratitude to the organising team of Fintech on the Seas, Premier Wheatley said to Hon Smith, “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to advancing the Virgin Islands as a global leader in financial innovation.”

The Junior Minister has become the target of criticism following the closure of the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited at the end of May 2025. 

Hon Smith continues to shape VI’s trajectory

Despite the criticisms, Premier Wheatley continues to publicly express his satisfaction with Hon Smith. 

“Your wealth of experience, strategic foresight, and steadfast advocacy for the BVI’s financial services sector continue to shape our trajectory in powerful ways. Your leadership has brought clarity and confidence to a rapidly evolving space, and we are deeply grateful for your service.”

Over 150 professionals in Fintech, blockchain, and digital assets from Costa Rica, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, the USA, Canada, Luxembourg, Panama, Ireland and the VI are attending the summit, where forty speakers are presenting on a wide range of topics. 

Fintech on the Seas: the BVI’s Digital Assets Summit is being hosted by BVI Finance, and Premier Wheatley also thanked Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BVI Finance, Ms Elise Donovan, and her team. 

He commended their tireless work, creativity, and belief in this vision from its inception. 

“It is through your diligence, professionalism, and passion that this event has come to life. You have orchestrated a world-class gathering and reinforced the BVI’s standing as a jurisdiction of choice for Fintech innovation and digital asset enterprises.”

Fintech on the Seas will end today, Friday, June 27, 2025, at Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda. 

9 Responses to “High praise for Hon Lorna G. Smith from Premier Wheatley @Fintech on the Seas”

  • POPE (27/06/2025, 07:45) Like (1) Dislike (17) Reply
    Only crazy Cindy fall out with the lady in we corner
  • Citizen (27/06/2025, 09:25) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    where is the 5 million and why was it placed in bank of asia
  • Fam (27/06/2025, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    Stay focused Lorna this too shall pay
    • @fam (27/06/2025, 11:02) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is why this country can’t get any better. This too shall pass? What about accountability and openness? What about honesty? That factors no where in anything for some of you people? What about the country and the possible effects of certain actions on it?
  • HMMM (27/06/2025, 11:10) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    What do you call a person that openly, publicly ane proudly praise a person 95% of people know as a failure.?
  • Really Premier (27/06/2025, 12:14) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier. You would do better to save any praise you have until the investigation into Asia bank is concluded. You may have more to say!!!
  • Me (27/06/2025, 13:17) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow! Premier needs to be careful on what he says. It will not look good on his part if an investigation reveals that his Junior Minister, Hon Smith was indeed knowledgeable of the Bank of Asia fiasco and failed to disclose this situation to the Regulators etc.
    Not saying that he should not praise her work in other areas, but her leadership at this point is in question.
    We have already one fiasco with the last Premier Andrew Fahie, which made headlines around the world, we certainly do not want another headliner about our Government Ministers.
  • BuzzBvi (27/06/2025, 13:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What happened to that live LIFE thing coin we had before. People using it?
    Hope this is not just more SECRET deals for our elite.
    Any regular folk get to go to this on an exclusive island.
  • Marty Probasco (27/06/2025, 20:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Heap coal on her head. It's very uneasy right now.


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