‘Financial Empowerment’ has a new, permanent home

On Sunday 22nd November, 2015 the First Citizens Investment Services Ltd. celebrated the opening of its brand new home near Sans Souci along the John Compton Highway, as well as its ten year anniversary in Saint Lucia. It was in July of 2015 that FCIS marked a decade of successful operation in St. Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean and Sunday’s celebration officially marked this milestone. The anniversary was celebrated under the theme “Celebrating a decade of trust, service, excellence and growth.”

In attendance at the FCIS ceremony were her Excellency the Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, the Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport and MP for Castries, Philip J. Pierre plus members of the First Citizens’ Executive, senior management teams and valued clients.

Said Group CEO Karen Darbasie at the ceremony, “There are many reasons one would acquire a new home. For some, it is that sense of security in acquiring a major asset; for others it is simply that innate desire to be more comfortable or simply for that ‘new home feel’. . . While these are all valid reasons, I am aware that moving to this new location had a lot to do with our valued clients.”

As the largest full service investment brokerage firm in the Caribbean, FCIS prides itself on its ability to offer a host of flexible investment options, investment services and portfolio management services.

“Over the last ten years, our contribution in the bonds, treasury bills and equity markets of the Eastern Caribbean team have significantly supported the economies of the Currency Union and in particular St. Lucia, where we have a physical presence and now a home!” said Carole Eleuthere-Jn. Marie, Regional Manager of FCIS Eastern Caribbean/Barbados.

“Our entry into Capital Markets, plus the support we continue to give to regional government debt issues over the years, has certainly contributed significantly to these territories reducing their debt and, more importantly, we have added some stability for the commercial banking sector by providing them an avenue to reduce debt concentrations and exposure,” the Regional Manager added.

Eleuthere-Jn. Marie continued: “All of you represent the diversity of our business, from the young professional just starting out and looking to jumpstart their retirement planning, to the new business person just starting out and seeking cash management options or income diversification, or the young mother or father who has purchased their first shares or bonds to secure their children’s future, or the retiree investing to secure their financial freedom.”

Sana Ragbir, the General Manager, later told the STAR, “In terms of the OECS region, the bank itself has more than one billion dollars in exposure, and in Saint Lucia we have up to approximately $250,000,000. So it shows the commitment we have through the region and to the country. As you know we have a presence in Saint Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados and of course Trinidad & Tobago. We actually now own this building, so it shows our commitment to Saint Lucia. The fact that we’ve bought a building and we own a physical, permanent asset, shows that we’re here to stay and to help grow the Saint Lucian market.”

FCIS recognises the need for investment by regular income earners to secure financially stable futures. Carole Eleuthere-Jn Marie says that its annual seminars educate on financial literacy, while informing people about investment and investment opportunities. “We believe that if we educate people they can make decisions wisely and think futuristically,” she remarked.