CFAL PENSION & ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Colina Insurance Limited is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Wholly-owned by CHBL, Colina, has a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

Nassau Cruise Port is “The Place to Be!”  After a $300 million upgrade, the new Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) is not only the largest transit port in the world, but is quickly becoming a leading retail and entertainment destination. The exciting, world-class waterfront includes new and expanded berths to welcome the largest cruise ships in the world, a 700-foot mega yacht berth, a new marina, and a water excursion & ferry terminal. Over 60 Authentically Bahamian retail stores offer visitors and residents incredible shopping opportunities while supporting local artists and vendors.  In addition to adding more tasty Bahamian food & beverage outlets to the space, this vibrant entertainment center includes unique experiences like the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, a wine bar & art gallery, and our celebrated 3,000-person amphitheatre. Other notable changes include the addition of an iconic new arrivals terminal, outposts for the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, a new Ground Transportation Area to support smooth taxi and tour operations, and an expanded hair braiders pavilion.

NCP was established in October 2019 as part of a consortium comprising Global Ports Holding Plc, the Bahamas Investment Fund ("BIF") and the Yes Foundation. Over 3,300 Bahamians are shareholders in the company.  

CIBC Caribbean is a relationship bank offering a full range of market leading financial services through our Corporate & Investment Banking, Retail & Business Banking and Wealth Management segments. We are located in twelve (12) countries around the Caribbean, providing banking services through approximately 2,700 employees in 48 branches and offices. We are one of the largest regionally listed financial services institutions in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, with US$13 billion in assets and market capitalization of US$1 billion. We also have a representative office in Hong Kong that provides business development and relationship management for our fund administration. The face of banking is changing throughout the world and CIBC FirstCaribbean intends to lead these changes with the expertise, integrity and knowledge gained from banking in the Caribbean since 1836.

Baker Tilly (“BT”) is a full-service accounting and advisory firm that offers industry specialized services in assurance, tax and advisory. With a focus on serving government entities, banking, financial services, asset management, retail, manufacturing, non-profit, hotel, tourism, and aviation industries, we help our clients plan for their future. At Baker Tilly, we are ready now, for tomorrow’s challenges. We believe in the power of great relationships. We lead and listen for great conversations. We channel change into progress for great futures.

We are proud to be a member of the Baker Tilly International network, a global network of independent accounting and business advisory firms, whose member firms share our dedication to exceptional client service. The international network gives us significant global reach in addition to our substantial national presence. We collaborate to leverage our skills, resources, and local expertise to help our clients grow locally, nationally, and globally.

In June 2023, Baker Tilly International was named Network of the Year at the International Accounting Forum & Awards ceremony in London.

The Bahamas International Securities Exchange Limited (BISX) was incorporated in September 1999. In May 2000 BISX successfully launched its domestic market for the listing and trading of local public companies. Currently, there are twenty domestic public companies listed on BISX. In addition, BISX trades, preferred shares, corporate bonds and bonds of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

BISX also features a rapidly growing Mutual Fund Listing facility that includes both domestic and international Mutual Funds. This listing facility is targeted at meeting the needs of investors, who may require the extra visibility afforded by a listing on an established regulated securities exchange as a basis for their choice of investment vehicle.

BISX is formally registered with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas as a “Marketplace” pursuant to the Securities Industry Act, 2011. As a Securities Exchange, BISX is vested with the authority and responsibility to regulate its Members and Listed Companies in accordance with BISX Rules. The BISX Rules operate to ensure fairness and transparency for all market participants.

The organizational structure has been designed to ensure that BISX has both a commercial and a regulatory focus. BISX was incorporated as a private company and is owned by 45 dedicated shareholders comprised of stockbrokers, banks, investment companies, pension funds, mutual fund administrators, corporations, and individuals.

The Bahamas Central Securities Depository Limited (BCSD) is a leading provider of share registry and transfer agency services in The Bahamas. BCSD was incorporated in March 2009 as a joint venture between Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Limited (RFMBT), Colina Financial Advisors Limited (CFAL) and the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX).

BCSD is a private company and is registered with The Securities Commission of The Bahamas as a clearing facility under the Securities Industry Act. BCSD provides a safe and secure central electronic registration platform for multiple types of securities.

BCSD will soon offer BISX-listed issuers a unique opportunity for the seamless integration of trading and settlement of trades as the technology platform utilized by BCSD will be directly connected to BISX’s trading system, creating an efficient trading process for shareholders.

Companies, their investors and regulators require accurate records of share ownership; as a result, the role of the registrar and transfer agent is an important one. Some companies choose to act as their own registrar and transfer agent, but most choose the experience of a specialist third-party financial institution to fill this role. BCSD fulfils this role in The Bahamas for its client companies.

BCSD assists client companies by managing relationships with their shareholders and other financial stakeholders. This is accomplished through the management and dissemination of corporate information to shareholders, and maintenance of company shareholders’ registers. BCSD also effects corporate actions on behalf of clients including: dividend payments, mailing of annual reports and services for companies’ annual general meetings.

In a land blessed with an abundance of sunshine and sophisticated offshore finance options, Commonwealth Bank started out in 1960 with the most modest beginnings and has emerged as the financial services success story of The Bahamas. Fully Bahamian owned and operated, Commonwealth Bank has figuratively taken the financial services sector in this rich island archipelago by storm, out pacing and outperforming its competitors on many fronts.

We believe an important part of our business is supporting the communities in which we operate. Community involvement, investment and volunteerism are the foundation of our culture. We support our communities through financial contributions, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and employee volunteer hours. Our culture of service and responsibility helps build a stronger organization and a stronger society now and for the future.

Commonwealth Bank Limited is the largest and most successful Bahamian bank in The Bahamas, with more than 550 staff members and $1.83 billion in total assets. The Bank offers industry-leading service and convenience, innovative and user-friendly online banking and mobile banking platforms, 31 ATMs nationwide and twelve branches in New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama, with Saturday Banking at selected locations, to provide the best possible access to an extensive line of competitive products and financial services.

Lowe’s Wholesale Drug Agencies Ltd. was established in 1968 by William E. Lowe, William Cash Sr. and Carrol Sands. The company’s first location was Market Street in 1985. The company later relocated to the current facilities on Soldier Road. Lowe’s Wholesale Drug Agencies Ltd. is 100% Bahamian owned and has two divisions, Pharmaceutical and Consumer. The company has more than 100 employees and utilizes over 100,000 square feet of warehouse and office space.

Over the past 40 years the organization has grown to be the largest wholesaler of high-quality pharmaceutical and personal care products representing several international brands. Lowe’s serves the islands of the Bahamas as well as the Turks & Caicos Islands.

John Bull is truly the Shopping Paradise of the Islands. Established in 1929, John Bull offers world renowned brands in watches, jewelry, perfume, leather, cosmetics and accessories.