ECCB 2025-2026 Annual Report

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2025 - 2026

Financial Stability

D uring the financial year, the Bank continued to advance its financial stability mandate through strengthened statistical systems, enhanced supervisory frameworks, and proactive economic surveillance. Monetary and Financial Statistics were compiled in accordance with international standards, while targeted data quality assurance missions were introduced across Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs) to support compliance with global data classification requirements. Progress also continued on the implementation of the IMF’s Financial Soundness Indicators (FSI) 2019 Guide, alongside the expansion of statistical coverage to include data from LFIs across the Currency Union. These initiatives have significantly improved the Bank’s capacity to monitor financial sector developments and identify emerging risks. Amid an increasingly volatile global and regional environment, the Bank maintained a strong focus on economic surveillance and macroeconomic analysis. Global shocks—including geopolitical conflicts, trade policy shifts, and regional tensions—necessitated enhanced monitoring and timely policy responses. The Bank delivered forward-looking policy insights to key stakeholders, highlighting inflationary pressures linked to import dependence and vulnerabilities within export sectors. These insights were shared through high level consultations, technical meetings, and policy briefs to the Board of Directors and Monetary Council, strengthening regional preparedness and resilience. The Bank also continued to provide technical assistance through missions across member countries, contributing to regional publications such as the Economic and Financial Review. Capacity building remained a priority, with the training of

new personnel in Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) enhancing independent fiscal surveillance capabilities. Credit Bureau Development Implementation of the ECCU Credit Bureau advanced significantly during the reporting period. Credit Information Providers (CIPs) were designated across all eight member states in accordance with the Credit Reporting Act, with the majority of jurisdictions formalising these designations through publication in their Official Gazettes. The inclusion of utilities, telecommunications providers, development banks, hire purchase companies, and retail entities has broadened the scope and depth of credit information available. Engagement with financial institutions yielded strong participation, with 94.0 per cent of LFIs onboarded to the Credit Bureau framework. While integration among commercial banks is largely complete, continued efforts are underway to achieve full participation among credit unions. Collaboration with national regulators and the Credit Bureau operator continued to address data submission challenges and improve data quality. Stakeholder engagement and training initiatives enhanced institutional understanding and use of credit reporting systems, helping to strengthen preparedness across the financial sector. Secured Transactions and Collateral Registry Reform The secured transactions and collateral registry reform is aimed at improving access to credit, strengthening collateral systems, and supporting private sector development. Extensive stakeholder consultations were conducted across seven

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