The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company (ECFH) was the product of a 2001 merger of two financial institutions, the largest commercial bank and the sole development bank in Saint Lucia.
By Terrence Albert
Published on 18-Feb-08
Feb. 19, 2008 -- The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Limited of Saint Lucia capped off another successful year by winning three of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce’s coveted prizes at its annual awards dinner.
Staff volunteerism to be a focal point
Feb. 19, 2008 -- The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Limited of Saint Lucia capped off another successful year by winning three of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce’s coveted prizes at its annual awards dinner. The ECFH Group won the Best Commercial House 2007 and Corporate Social Responsibility Award for Excellence 2007.
Its flagship subsidiary Bank of Saint Lucia Limited won the award for Financial Institution of the Year 2007. This comes on the heels of being the sole indigenous bank to receive Good Corporate Citizen Awards from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. Bank of Saint Lucia Limited copped two awards for its outstanding contribution to sports and cultural development in Saint Lucia.
In 2007 The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company undertook a number of initiatives aimed at “Enriching Lives” of Saint Lucians. These included assisting the National Enrichment Learning Program (NELP) in setting up adult learning programs in communities like Banse la Grace and Fond St. Jacques.
With education being a focus of its Corporate Social Responsibility policy ECFH made substantial investments in that area especially in school. It continued its sponsorship of CARE by way of its annual covenant of $40,000.00. Sponsorships also included Junior Achievement and a Chess competition among secondary schools.
In the area of Sports ECFH and its subsidiary Bank of Saint Lucia Limited supported activities in various districts. A prime example was the Bank of Saint Lucia Vieux Fort Football Cup. Also as part of the continued commitment to school sports the Group continues to be the major sponsor of the Inter Secondary Schools games.
In December 2007 ECFH assisted the Rotary Club of Castries in raising funds to purchase a bus similar to the mobile blood bank to provide medical assistance to people in the out districts who would not otherwise have access to these facilities.
In 2007 the Group held the first annual, Customer Appreciation Week. As the name suggests, the purpose was to recognize the role that its customer’s play in its success and to show appreciation. As part of the activities customers met with staff and managers in focus groups to provide feedback on problem areas.
In 2008 ECFH will strive to continue its commitment. Staff volunteerism will be a focal point as it envisions employees playing a greater role in their communities. The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company extends sincere thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for the recognition, congratulations to other award winners and applauds its staff without whose tireless efforts and commitment these successes would not have been possible.