ECCB 2021-2022 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2021/2022 18

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance

The ECCB remained connected with its stakeholders through a variety of media over the year, in order to enhance the awareness and involvement of the people of the region in relevant economic and financial matters. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Now more than ever, the ECCB recognises its corporate social responsibility to the people of the region, a responsibility that is preserved in its mandate to promote a sound financial structure conducive to the balanced growth and development of its member states, Article 4 (3), ECCB Agreement, 1983. The Bank’s execution of, and continued efforts to expand its public relations and community outreach programmes, embody this corporate social responsibility. During the period under review, the Bank continued to demonstrate its corporate social responsibility through its public education and community outreach programmes and the delivery or sponsorship of the OECS/ECCB International Netball Series; ECCU Bank of the Year Awards; and Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE). OECS/ECCB International Netball Series After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2 nd OECS/ECCB International Netball Series was held from 12 to 18 February, 2021 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica. Teams from five ECCB member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vied for the Gloria Ballantyne Championship Trophy. A team from Barbados also participated in the tournament for ranking purposes. Team Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, unbeaten during the tournament, captured the title. The Dominica Netball Association in collaboration with the Caribbean Netball Association hosted the tournament. ECCU Bank of the Year Awards This ECCU Bank of the Year Awards afford the commercial banks which operate within the ECCU, the opportunity to share their contributions to the overall development of the people they serve through everyday business practices. The ECCB hosted the 3 rd ECCU Bank of the Year Awards Ceremony on 16 December 2021 via virtual platform. A panel of judges assessed the commercial banks’ submissions in the following categories: (i) Customer Service; (ii) Financial Education and Empowerment; (iii) Pandemic and Banking; and (iv) Technological Innovation. Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) The ECCB continued to provide support for the Student Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE). The 2021 ECCB SPISE scholar was Ajonte Josiah from Antigua and Barbuda. Through the ECCB’s sponsorship, 11 students from the ECCB member countries have participated in the programme since 2016. The goal of SPISE is to help increase the numbers of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering.

The Champions: 2 nd OECS/ECCB International Netball Series Team Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

3 rd ECCU Bank of the Year Recipients

Pandemic and Banking & Technological Innovation 1st National Bank St Lucia Limited

Financial Education and Empowerment Bank of Saint Lucia Limited

Customer Service CIBC/FCIB (Barbados) Ltd Antigua and Barbuda

View more about the ECCB’s contribution to the SPISE programme