ECCB 2014-2015 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

The EC Currency Turns 50 on 6 October 2015 Celebrating the Journey The history of the EC Currency and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) embodies the story of the coming of age of the eight ECCB member countries. Together, the EC Currency and the ECCB have contributed to the growth, prosperity and self- determination of the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Let us therefore take a journey into the currency’s history.

British and Canadian Banks Early 1900s – 1940s

Bank Notes were issued in the early 1900s by British and Canadian Banks. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) acquired its first branch in the British Caribbean in 1910 in Port of Spain, Trinidad after opening a branch in London. RBC soon spread throughout the British territories and was established in St Kitts and Nevis in 1915.

Bank note from the Royal Bank of Canada dated 3 January 1938

Bank note from Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) formerly the Colonial Bank dated 1 May 1937

In the 1940s , bank notes issued by British and Canadian banks circulated freely throughout the British territories .

British Caribbean Currency Board The 1950s

The British Caribbean Currency Board (BCCB) was established in 1950 and had the sole right to issue currency in Barbados, British Guiana, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. The first British Caribbean currency notes were issued on 1 August 1951 and British Caribbean coins on 15 November 1955.

British Caribbean Currency Notes