CAB confident despite challenges over the past year

BROOKLYN, NY–Newly re-elected chairman of the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) Inc., Dalton Lee, has described the past 12 months as an “extremely trying period,” promising nonetheless that the regional banking group will continue to deal with the challenges “head-on.”

Lee, who is an official of the Bank of Montserrat, was re-elected to the post during the virtual 47^th annual general meeting of the CAB, which is regarded as a community of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean region and which seeks to influence issues impacting the financial services sector through advocacy, education, and networking.

“This has obviously been an extremely trying period, and it remains a difficult time for the banking sector, and for the Caribbean as a whole,” Lee said, also noting that natural disasters had severely affected the Caribbean, particularly in Belize where “severe flooding earlier this month as a result of the passage of Hurricane Eta, further disrupting their ability to transact normal business.

“We are humbled and gratified by the support of our member organizations, not only for our work shepherding this organization but for all they do to support CAB and everything we stand for,” Lee said, welcoming the new directors to the board and paying tribute to Sean Husain, who passed away suddenly earlier this year.

“We look forward to working with you in the future to achieve great things. Whatever challenges we face, along with our members and partners, we will deal with them head-on,” he said.

Following the virtual meeting, a statement noted that the unprecedented event was attended by 50 individuals representing 41 CAB member organizations.

CAB chief executive officer Wendy Delmar said she was pleased with the staging of the virtual meeting, adding “the world over, people and businesses are exploring new ways of getting things done.

“So, we were delighted and excited that we were able to deliver CAB’s first-ever virtual AGM. As we get set for a new calendar year, we look forward to being able to bring value to all of the banks and financial institutions with which CAB has the pleasure to work,” she added.

Many businesses and organizations worldwide have banned in-person meetings due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has killed and infected millions of people since the first case was detected in China last December.