On February 15th, Chairman & CEO Mr. Filippo Alario was invited to speak on the derisking phenomenon in Belize at the 1st Annual Anti-Money Laundering AML/CFT Conference.
The conference was organized and supported through the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NAMLC), in partnership with the US Embassy’s international narcotics and law enforcement affairs unit and the University of Belize.
Learn more about the conference HERE.
January 30, 2023 Belize City, Belize – On December 21, 2022, The Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) reaffirmed the following Issuer/Corporate Credit ratings assigned to The Belize Bank Limited.
Ratings Update: The Belize Bank Limited Ratings reaffirmed at CariBB (Regional Local Currency Ratings), (CariBB) Regional Foreign Currency Ratings and bzAA+ (National Local Currency Ratings); Outlook revised to positive.
CariCRIS stated “BBL’s ratings continue to reflect its strong presence in the Belizean commercial banking industry supported by a wide distribution network. The Bank’s robust risk management framework is currently being enhanced by ongoing digital initiatives. Also supporting the ratings is the Bank’s deposit base which continues to underpin its stale funding costs and good liquidity position. Furthermore, BBL’s comfortable capitalization, good asset quality and improved earnings also support the rating.”
CariCRIS’ also noted it expects The Belize Bank to continue to benefit from the acquisition of Scotiabank, Belize as well as other digital strategies being implemented across the bank. Additionally, CariCRIS expects that the improving economic conditions in Belize as a result of structural reforms and a rebound in the tourism activity, will bolster the Bank’s growth over the next 12-15 months.
Mr. Filippo Alario, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Belize Bank Limited stated that “We are proud to have received such a favorable credit rating which is a testament to our robust governance frameworks and to the hard work and dedication of management and staff. This rating reflects the Banks’ soundness and stability, a necessary condition for the stimulation of economic growth. View Mr. Alario’s full interview on the Bank’s Positive Credit Rating HERE.
CariCris is the Caribbean’s leading credit rating agency, with shareholding by regional Central Banks, several major regional commercial banks providing investors and financial regulators a regional credit rating framework for comparing the relative creditworthiness of entities in the region.
BELIZE CITY, December 15, 2022 – Qorus, a global association for retail financial institutions, and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced the winners of the ninth annual Global Qorus-Accenture Banking Innovation Awards during a live ceremony in Barcelona on December 1st. E-kyash, powered by Belize Bank won the Silver Award for its submission in the Social, Sustainable & Responsible Banking category.
The awards serve as a catalyst for innovation in the banking sector by honoring the best ideas and practices transforming the industry for the benefit of banks and customers alike.
During the ceremony Executive Chairman Mr. Filippo Alario stated, “We are proud to have E-kyash as one of our main Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives as we aim to reduce cash in circulation and bring modern financial services to Belize, who is very much ready to use state-of-the-art financial tools.”
This year the awards competition attracted more than 680 entries from 57 countries, with applicants ranging from agile start-ups to the world’s largest financial institutions. Winners were selected across eight categories through a peer-based voting process combined with a panel of judges from leading global financial firms. Criteria that judges considered included originality, strategic capacity to generate a long-term competitive edge and return on investment, and adaptability for use in other markets and countries. E-kyash was chosen among 170 projects from all over the World, only in this category.
E-kyash, Belize’s first digital wallet, is easy and convenient to use from any mobile phone. This innovative solution removes barriers to financial access while increasing financial literacy, opening new opportunities and making life easier. Users can top up their digital wallets from any of our Retail Operators located countrywide or via a Belize Bank account or other financial institution in Belize. It can be used to make Peer-to-Peer transfers, Bill payments, Merchant Payments using QR Codes, Salary Payments, Payments for Government services. The app features Geo Location and is available in both English and Spanish. E-kyash users can soon look forward to purchasing electronic gift certificates, top up mobile phones, and conduct business to business transactions.
With E-kyash, the Belize Bank is fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility and promoting financial inclusion for all Belizeans.
The Belize Bank Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Filippo Alario as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Alario joined Belize Bank in 2009 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Risk Officer responsible for the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management framework, including strategy setting, governance and correspondent banking relationships.
Mr Alario started his career as an Associate Editor at Latin Finance, a Euromoney publication, transitioning into the Caribbean banking sector in 1994 where he held various executive management positions at leading international and regional financial institutions. He has a wealth of experience in the areas of Corporate and Investment Banking, Capital Markets, Risk Management, Strategic Planning and Compliance.
The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of The Belize Bank is pleased to now have Mr. Alario leading Belize Bank’s strategic direction and digital transformation.
On April 27th, 2022, Belize Bank’s head of Digital, Retail & Business Banking, Mrs. Agata Ruta, was invited as a panelist at the Women’s Financial Inclusion Workshop. This workshop was sponsored by the Republic of China(Taiwan) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration as a part of a project entitled, “Enhancing the Economic Empowerment of Women in Latin America and the Caribbean in the COVID-19 Post Pandemic Era: Technical Assistance for Women’s Employment, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion”.
The workshop aimed at building institutional capacity among Belizean Financial Service Providers by developing a basic understanding of both women’s empowerment and financial inclusion; outlining methodologies for designing and implementing WFI interventions and underscoring the importance of inclusive financial technology.
Mrs. Ruta highlighted The Belize Bank’s commitment to ensuring equitable access by women to the Bank’s financial products and services, in line with the Central’s Bank financial inclusion strategy. This includes the convenient access to our electronic banking channels; Online and Mobile Banking, E-kyash, POS terminals, and our expansive network for ATMs which are strategically located to better serve our customers. Another example would be the recent development of the SME segment within the bank, which comprises a dedicated team who caters to the needs of micro, small and medium sized businesses. The distinction of this market segment is very important to us in order to ensure that all our customer needs, including women, are met and they have equal access to specialized products and services. Our SME officers are located in each district and are ready to help even if the business does not have financial statements readily available.
Contact The Belize Bank today to learn more about all we have to offer.
Belize Bank seizes new opportunities for expansion and innovation by enhancing its core banking platform with Fusion Essence from Finastra.
Belize Bank has embarked on a core banking transformation that will reinvent the business with cutting-edge capabilities and a renewed focus on the customer experience.
In this success story, learn more about how one of the largest banks in Belize seizes new opportunities for expansion and innovation by enhancing its core banking platform with Fusion Essence from Finastra.
Read Full article here
On Monday, January 31st, the Belize Bank Limited selected 10 luck winners, who picked up their debit card before January 31st to WIN $1000.00!
The raffle was not only to incentivize customers to pick up their new Mastercard Debit Card but to also encourage them to start to enjoy the benefits of having these contactless cards.
BENEFITS OF MASTERCARD STANDARD DEBIT CARD
•Secure transactions
Contactless cards are embedded with multiple layers of security. The Chip & Pin technology used is added protection when processing over $100bz
• Less physical interaction and the spread of bacteria
In the current environment of limiting physical interaction, the contactless card was made to never leave your hands as you simply TAP, PAY and GO! )
• Increased Customer Satisfaction-Faster processing of transactions
– Less lines at checkout
– Faster processing of transactions
– No signature or pin required for transactions below $100bz
BENEFITS OF MASTERCARD PLATINUM DEBIT CARD
For VIP Customers
All benefits of Standard Card plus additional perks including:
• Mastercard Global Service
• Purchase Protection with delivery
• Price Protection
• Cellular Phone Protection
• Master Assist
• Trip Inconvenience
• Luggage Protection
See our lucky winners below:
December 20, 2021 Belize City, Belize – On December 13, 2021, CariCRIS assigned the following “Investment Grade” rating to The Belize Bank Limited.
A copy of the full Credit Rating Report can be viewed here: CariCRIS BBL Credit Rating Report – December 2021
CariCRIS decision to upgrade BBL’s regional scale ratings is a direct result of improved fiscal conditions and projected economic improvement in Belize. They have also maintained a stable outlook on the ratings. The stable outlook is based on their expectation that BBL will continue to be profitable and maintain comfortable capital buffers despite the ongoing economic challenges facing the Belizean economy.
The rating of The Belize Bank Limited is a significant achievement for the Bank and the country of Belize as it represents an objective assessment of the Bank’s creditworthiness relative to other rated entities in the region and reflects their intimate understanding of the risks that are unique to the Caribbean.
The Belize Bank Limited continues to maintain a strong presence in the Belizean commercial banking industry with a wide distribution network. The bank’s operations are supported by a robust risk management framework, which is being enhanced by ongoing digital initiatives. Additionally, BBL’s deposit base continues to underpin its stable funding costs and liquidity position. The bank is also comfortably capitalized and reported improved asset quality and an improvement in profitability for the six month ending September 2021.
The Board of Directors and Management of The Belize Bank Limited takes this opportunity to commend the staff of the organization for their excellent work over the past years which has contributed significantly to the assignment of this rating.
Mr. Lyndon Guiseppi, Executive Chairman of The Belize Bank Limited stated that “The improvement in rating is supported by the BBL’s leading market share in the Belizean commercial banking industry. There has been significant improvements in the risk infrastructure and a focus on technology which support strategic planning. Asset quality remains good and and is supported by a reduction in non-performing loans. We are very encouraged by the improvement in rating and it motivates us to keep bringing a refreshing banking experience to our customers countrywide.”
Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services (CariCRIS) is the Caribbean’s leading credit rating agency, with shareholding by regional Central Banks, several major regional commercial banks, and CRISIL, an associate company of the globally-recognized rating agency Standard & Poor’s.