Senior Manager at First Citizens Bank, Kaye Brathwaite (right), and Lynette Holder, Chief Executive Officer at the Small Business Association.
BUSINESS MONDAY – ‘Count on us’
Mon, 09/05/2016 - 12:00am
First Citizens Bank ready to help small business sector
THIS country’s small business sector has been told it can count on the support of First Citizens, a local commercial bank.
In fact, a senior representative of the bank notes that her organisation is very passionate about supporting the small business sector in Barbados.
Kaye Brathwaite, the bank’s Senior Manager, gave this assurance during an address to a Small Business Association (SBA) function at the Association’s office last week.
Pointing out that they are committed to the partnership with small businesses, Ms. Brathwaite said they at the bank fully understand the hurdles small businesses may encounter as members of the SME’s community. She said that as an indigenous Caribbean bank, “We are committed to supporting our communities and helping individuals, families and businesses make their dream a reality.”
According to her, “This is especially true for entrepreneurs because your dreams not only impact you, but they also fuel our economy, our progress and future. In today’s market, innovative ideas can set you apart from the rest of your competitors and how you develop those ideas makes all the difference.”
Ms. Brathwaite maintained that events such as small business weeks are geared towards nurturing ideas, building relationships and creating opportunities to inspire growth and innovation for business, ownership and innovation.
She said that the bank sees the critical role which small enterprises have to play in the Barbados economy.
“Great things can come in small packages. In an ever-changing world like ours, your size can actually be an advantage as it gives you the flexibility and agility to respond to changes faster than the your bigger competitors.”
Ms. Brathwaite stated that having a great financial partner like First Citizens, “can help you in your quest to become a success”.
Noting that small businesses in Barbados can be a vehicle towards progress, she added, “We at First Citizens appreciate the significant impact small businesses can have on a growing economy, and as such we are committed to the partnership with the SBA and making Small Business Week a success.” (JB)