ECCB 2025-2026 Annual Report

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2025 - 2026

Areas of Focus: 2026-2027 ; The ECCB will prioritise oversight of 4Cs, ECACH and the RTGS System, with a strong focus on addressing identified gaps in governance, risk management and operational resilience. ; The Licensing Manual and other regulatory forms will be finalised for implementation. The Bank will continue to review and enhance the existing suite of data collection templates to ensure relevance. ; The Fit and Proper Rules for Payment Service Providers are expected to be published on the Bank’s website, following approval. Continued Migration to SWIFT ISO 20022 The ECCB will continue with remaining roadmap activities required for full implementation of SWIFT mandatory migration to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard (ISO20022), including the full migration from the MT101 to Customer Credit Transfer Initiation (pain.001) by November 2026 and preparation for a full move away from free-format MT199/299 messages to the structured ISO format by November 2027. Through these targeted initiatives, the ECCB will reinforce financial system resilience by enhancing regulatory frameworks, improving data quality and transparency, strengthening financial infrastructure, and advancing legislative reforms. Collectively, these efforts will support a stable, inclusive, and well-regulated financial system capable of underpinning sustainable economic growth across the ECCU. Office of Financial Conduct The OFC’s work for the 2026-2027 financial year will focus on drafting the 15 statutory codes of conduct, recruitment and training of staff, and overseeing the nomination of persons to the Financial Dispute

Resolution Commission which has responsibility for resolving complex complaints; other matters forwarded by the OFC and receiving applications for review from persons who are not satisfied with a decision that the OFC has made. To date the amendments to the Banking Act which give ECCB authority for market conduct supervision have been passed in five of the eight member territories. In anticipation of passage in the remaining three countries, the launch of OFC operations is being planned for September 2026. The second survey to facilitate the work of the OFC will be administered during the new financial year. This will be another pilot survey intended to establish a baseline for consumers’ awareness and understanding of financial consumer protection and customer satisfaction in advance of the full operationalisation of the OFC. Along with demographic information, it will include consumers’ views on a number of areas including complaints handling and loyalty to LFIs. Advance Payment Modernisation and Financial Inclusion ECCU Financial Inclusion and Literacy Strategy (EFILS) The Bank will focus on the launch and implementation of the ECCU Financial Inclusion and Literacy Strategy (2026–2031), aimed at improving access to and use of financial services, while strengthening financial capability across the region. The Strategy provides a coordinated regional framework to address key gaps identified in financial access, usage, and knowledge, and outlines practical actions to support individuals

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