The Caribbean Association of Banks Inc. (CAB) has announced that it will host its 39th Annual General Meeting and Conference, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, in St. James, from November 14-17, 2012.

The conference theme will be, “Partnering for Regional Transformation, Development and Growth: Empowering the Financial Services Sector,” informed Carlton Barclay, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC); and Deputy General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS).

Barclay said that regional and international economists will address key issues that have positive or negative implications for the financial sector in the Caribbean and will explore the “prospects for Caribbean economies and the impact on banks in terms of—strategic integration, operations and information technology, with particular reference to Credit Bureaus, microfinance, and remittance.”

Barclay also stated that, “From its regional platform, CAB has the potential to influence change and development within the Caribbean Region, and address financial issues that are inimical to growth within CAB member states.” He also maintained that, “Given global financial threats; new legislations in international banking; and emerging trends in mobile banking, it was critical for Caribbean bankers to voice their concerns about the future of the banking and financial services industry.”Established in 1974, the mission of the CAB is to advance the interest of member institutions through advocacy, networking, and provision of training to strengthen the financial sector in the Caribbean.
In a release Barclay informed that a wide cross section of representatives of some 50 regional member banks and financial institutions; honorary members, such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), CARICOM and the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance, as well as some seven Service Members, whose asset base is in excess of US$36.6 billion, will be participating in the AGM and Conference. He also pointed out that, over the years, representatives from correspondent banks and service providers were also invited to attend the conference. The LOC will, therefore, be issuing periodic updates about the conference, speakers and workshops via email and in the media.

The host country CAB members for the 39th conference include: National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd., Jamaica National Building Society; Capital & Credit Merchant Bank, First Global Bank Ltd., and Jamaica Money Market Brokers Ltd.