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‘Investigate possibility’ of forgiving interest for locals with loans @ NBVI- Hon Fraser

- said interest on loans during initial stages of pandemic should be forgiven
January 18th, 2022 | Tags: foreclosure NBVI Julian Fraser loans Interests HOA
Veteran legislator and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA has called on the Government of the Virgin Islands to investigate the possibility of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands (NBVI) forgiving all or a percentage of interest on loans for Virgin Islanders during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
According to Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA a lot of Virgin Islanders have seen their income affected by the pandemic and some are facing foreclosure on their properties. Photo: YouTube
According to Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA a lot of Virgin Islanders have seen their income affected by the pandemic and some are facing foreclosure on their properties. Photo: YouTube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Veteran legislator and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA has called on the Government of the Virgin Islands to investigate the possibility of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands (NBVI) forgiving all or a percentage of interest on loans for Virgin Islanders during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Virgin Islands.

According to Hon Fraser, a lot of Virgin Islanders have seen their income affected by the pandemic and some are facing foreclosure on their properties.

During the initial stages of the pandemic in the territory, lockdowns were imposed and tourism came to a screeching halt. Additionally, many persons lost their jobs, were made to work reduced hours or were unable to work due to the lockdowns or COVID-19 measures put in place.

“Virgin Islanders who have loans at the National Bank [of the Virgin Islands], this is our bank, the last time I checked we were 100 percent shareholders of this bank, I would like for you to investigate the possibility of the interest on their loans during that [Covid-19] period being forgiven,” Hon Fraser suggested during the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, today, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

“I will tell you why,” Hon Fraser continued, “Check the figures out. When the banks talked about giving reprieve during that period of COVID, a lot of people didn’t understand or didn’t know that reprieve was only for those people who were current. If you were a month late you didn’t get it.

‘Persons facing foreclosures’- Hon Fraser

“And when the time came for them to pay up they were even worse off. So foreclosures are out there, coming in. We can’t afford that Mr Speaker.”

The veteran legislator accepted that there are some people who are willful in being delinquent with their payments but reasoned that “you can’t allow those people to take the rest, the good ones, down with them. This is an area that the Government has to look into. We own that bank.”

Hon Fraser posited that Government may find that the figures [for interest to be forgiven] are too big but they can then propose to forgive a percentage.

“But all these things are areas we must travel.  Remember, Mr Speaker, we don’t have unemployment insurance. If we had that people would have had an income coming in but there was nothing,” Hon Fraser stated.

11 Responses to “‘Investigate possibility’ of forgiving interest for locals with loans @ NBVI- Hon Fraser”

  • local boy (18/01/2022, 18:59) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    This bank aint even giving locals no decent property loans anyway.
  • Puzzled (18/01/2022, 19:39) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    And who will make up the deficit?
  • Lucky (18/01/2022, 19:48) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply

    National bank is not for the people of the vi. This bank is slower than a turtle to get things done. U apply for loans they take more than 6 months to get anything done. They can go to he'll. Waste of time. Applied for a loan with Mr. M from last year September and to date he has never reach out to say what the status is if it is approved or denied and when I tried calling he will always call back but never did. This is very unprofessional and time consuming. He can keep the dam loan and wipe his @## with the paper .

  • Its a Bank thing (19/01/2022, 04:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Called Republic Bank three times in one week and got two solemn promises that someone from mortgage will get back to me. Never did. I had to go spend 60 mins in the hot sun outside and another 30 mins inside just to get simple information that should be available on their website. How about the millions of dollars that the commercial banks made with a few computer key strokes, saying they are deferring payments even for people who did not requested it.
  • Another example (19/01/2022, 07:18) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Another example of how ignorant these politicians are to the realities of banking and the economy. These incompetent jokers have no business trying to run a country.
    • you the problem (19/01/2022, 10:35) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      you the incompetent one.
      Its easily done by other governments in other countries. You know nothing about governing or banking as it can be easily seen. You would have probably opposed the $10,000.00 tax free income. You are the kind that has no vision for the people.

      You need to hush, listen and learn when visionaries speaking
  • Hmm (19/01/2022, 08:02) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Fraser slight correction- something need doing from Irma. Some people in problems since then. Imagine our bank selling properties without discussing with its customers? There are many things that can be done by the Bank other than sell. It’s done all around the world. It seems that different things are available in that bank depending on who you know.

    It’s not surprising though that they have to sell as their operation costs and salaries are through the roof. That development bank has lost its way and wants to function like the big commercial banks.
    This needs looking into.

  • @ ANOTHER EXAMPLE (19/01/2022, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ThE WRITING IS ON THE WALL , ( IF THERE IS NO INTEGRITY IN THESE BUNCH OF ARISTOCRATS , WHAT DO YOU EXPECT
  • Necessary (19/01/2022, 13:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the 21st century certain institutions are necessary for modern society to exist. Banks and telecommunication companies are prime examples of companies that humans need in 2022 even if their business decisions and practices are mostly evil.
  • nonsense (19/01/2022, 14:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Please go and sid dung in a barber chair. Which Financial Institution in the world does forgive Interest. Are you crazy. Tell the person to stop travelling partying and living above their means and pay on time from accumulating Interest. What do they think happens when they don't pay on time. The rubbish that comes out of some mouths.
  • Favourable (10/02/2022, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    National Bank. The only bank in the BVI that will decline your loan because your investments will make you a millionaire. But this should go for all banks not for forgiveness of a percentage of loans but an extension might be better as banks need to make money also.


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