Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 2024-2025 Annual Report

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - 2025

Areas of Focus 2025-2026

3. Hire purchase companies; 4. Microfinance institutions; 5. Student loan providers; 6. Entities involved in the provision of goods or services on credit terms; 7. Government agencies involved in the administration of credit facilities (e.g., housing or business development loans); and 8. Any other entity designated by the Minister responsible for finance, after consultation with the ECCB. ThesesecondaryCIPswill contributeadditional data that expands the credit profiles of individuals and businesses, giving lenders a broader perspective beyond traditional banking relationships to make immediate approval/denial on credit requests. Upgrade of Payment System Infrastructure The Bank will finalise the Policy for the Implementation of an Instant Payment System (IPS) in the ECCU and will collaborate with the Eastern Caribbean Automated Clearing House (ECACH) to deliver an IPS to the region. The Bank will continue engagements with all stakeholders on the implementation of the Interbank Payment System and engage potential end users and industry experts to ensure retail payment services are efficient, safe and secure. Supply-Side Survey The Bank will analyse the information from the Supply-Side Survey to inform policy advice on payment system development and oversight Payments Modernisation and Financial Inclusion

related matters.

The ECCB will also continue to engage in financial inclusion efforts by supporting the development of a comprehensive financial inclusion strategy for the region. In addition, staff from various departments will collaborate on the analysis of data from the Payments Supply-Side Survey, which will support the financial inclusion strategy. Retail Bond Market The Bank will continue to pursue the development of the retail bond market, and it is expected that the first retail instrument will be launched during the 2025/2026 financial year. Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Greening of the Campus Project The Bank will conduct an audit of the Greening of the Campus Project, which is scheduled to be completed within the financial year 2025/2026. Citizenship by Investment Programmes Initiative The Bank will continue to give support for the development of the legislation for the establishment of the CBI Regulator. Consultations in the remaining countries will continue into the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year, culminating with Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda. The initial draft of the legislation is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2025. The enactment of the legislation by National Parliaments is expected to

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