The TELLER
1st National Bank's Official Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Issue 14 • Nov/Dec 2011
WHAT'S INSIDE
The knights who brought us to a new day
facing the new year confident amidst diversity
financial resolution for the coming year
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Managing Director's Letter Dear Reader, Happy New Year! A s a l w a y s i t ’s a time to reflect and look ahead with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Once again 1 st N a t i o n a l Ban k r e cord ed a good year in its financial performance. Thanks to our dedicated team for their diligence, and our loyal customers for their continued trust and increased business activity with our Bank.
In 2012, you can expect no less from the Bank that’s always here for you. Our improved customer care will continue to deliver 1 st class service to make your banking experience pleasant, hassle free and memorable. We will continue to build on our suite of services to ensure that we fine-tune and customize our products to suit your unique needs. Expansion on our network of branches will continue to service key communities that require the presence of a financial institution that is a true community Bank. Our branch in the Choc area has been welcomed with much excitement by the businesses and residents in the vicinity and has also served as a hub for the North and the City. The Bank’s corporate social responsibility and commitment remains firm and we are already considering new initiatives to support. Training and human resource strengthening continues to be a focus of your Bank as we enhance the skills and capabilities of our employees at every level to ensure world class service delivery. We expect tremendous challenges this year. However we see challenges as an opportunity to bring out the best in us during difficult times. We have proven this over the past year with our fiscal controls and creditable performance in delivering profits to fuel our growth as an important indigenous institution. Given the foregoing, it is clear that I am optimistic that the country’s first indigenous Bank is poised to deliver more to our customers and the wider public in 2012! God Bless.
G. Carlton Glasgow Managing Director
The Big Story
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Facing The New Year Confident Amidst All Adversity The past financial year has sent ripples through our island of St. Lucia and the world at large. We each earn our daily quota of doom, gloom and overall negativity from the media and the man down the street. Many experience the disheartening feelings when it appears that a once promising enterprise seems to be crumbling through their fingertips. Alas it is not the role of this article to exacerbate the already overwhelming feelings in your heart. 1 st National Bank is Here For You… at the moment of your closing the pages of this Newsletter, a new, “challenging” world of possibilities will be revealed to you. 1st National Bank desires that all Saint Lucians face the coming year of 2012 with renewed vigor, confident amidst all adversity. The Bank
appreciates the privilege of directing your first three crucial steps into what promises to be a challenging year! Let us all choose to see our situations in perspective, stay positive, and end the panic here and now. The Key is to safeguard your heart, but how? Well, Firstly, give thanks. If you intend to pursue this year positively, the only wise foundation would be on the positive aspects of your life. Far too often, we focus on the injustice and unfortunate circumstances. The mere fact that you are reading these words is reason to be thankful. An estimated 20% of the world’s population is unable to read. Another 925 million suffer from starvation. We just might be wealthier than we think. Of even greater value are the people who we are blessed to have,
The Big Story we dare not place a value on the smiles they give us at supper, regardless how humble the meal! Of course it is not easy but be assured that appreciating and focusing on the positive things in your life, will place you in a better position to eliminate the negative ones. Secondly, avoid overwhelming your mind with bad news. Yes, there is an obvious abundance of that going around these days. However we need to be vigilant in guarding our hearts and more specifically our disposition. If you are making an effort to be more positive it defeats the purpose to saturate your mind with the negativity from outside. By no means can you justify being sheepish or ignorant but by every means do not allow yourself to be weighed down by or pre-occupied with the unfortunate facts.
The TELLER economic trials we all had aspirations, intentions and plans. If you are like any St.Lucian 1 st National Bank has had the privilege of serving, you still have aspirations, intentions and especially plans! However we are by no means stiff-necked. It is crucial that you recognize the need to be flexible, the need to adjust timetables, the need to be patient. Adaptation has always been the only route forward. Darwin claimed that “you either adapt or you die”. While we may not share all his views, this principle certainly rings true economically. There is little point in stubbornly pursuing previous aspirations when the circumstances have obviously changed. You need to re-evaluate your life and your ambitions. You may realize that things once deemed precious are of little value and vice versa. Truly, by humbling ourselves to economics and its vicious nature, we will “eventually” feel its shine of approval on us.
Thirdly, Re-evaluate the meaning and trajectory of your life. This point could have easily been outlined first. Before the current
THE KNIGHTS WHO BROUGHT US TO A NEW DAY As an independent nation of the Commonwealth, Saint Lucia has as our highest non-Saint Lucian honour, Knighthood by our ceremonial Head of State, the Queen of England. To our tiny nation’s credit, a significant number of our citizens have achieved recognition, not only locally, but internationally, by the Queen herself through the conferring of the Knighthood, in recognition of their outstanding and groundbreaking contribution to our nation’s and region’s development. The 2012 Calendar for 1st National Bank St. Lucia Ltd., celebrates the distinguished gentlemen who have served as our patriarchs. Gentlemen whose contributions have filled the pages of national history and achievement.
These gentlemen, the Knights of Saint Lucia, have gained royal recognition for their personal service in the fields of Politics, Law, Culture, Education, the Arts and Social Services. Their names, images and achievements are presented in order that, as with all truly selfless service, their deeds and lives as exemplars may inspire a new generation, raised not in the shadow of their history, but enlightened by their contribution to the opportunities that abound. In their stories are many firsts, the usual mark of those who lead, but common to all has been their example of putting fame and fortune to one side, and putting their country, first.
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Special Tribute
A 1 National Bank Tribute To... st
Mrs. Marcia Dorville-Onunwa At Her Funeral Service Held On 14/01/2012
Brothers & Sisters, On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Managing Director and all the staff of the 1st National Bank St. Lucia Limited, I wish to express our profound sadness at the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Mrs. Marcia Dorville-Onunwa. Our sincere condolences go out to her husband, Stanley and infant son, Jilani; as well as her parents, siblings and members of her extended family. Marcia joined the Bank’s team in the capacity of a junior clerk some 25 years ago, shortly after graduating from St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School. Indeed, at the Bank’s most recent annual staff awards ceremony, she was honoured for her long service to our institution. It is to her credit that she rose through the ranks of our organization, serving in several departments, to eventually achieve the position of Officer-in-Charge of the newly opened Choc Bay sub Branch. She was at work up to the day of her passing. We at the Bank remember Marcia as a very special colleague who in many ways embodied the spirit of what the Bank expects from its employees. In this regard, she consistently displayed an unswerving sense of loyalty to our institution; and a dedication to efficient customer service. She was a team person with a very positive attitude towards customers and staff alike. She joined the Bank’s Chorale and was proud to represent our institution. As an experienced senior supervisor, she was always eager to learn and develop her skills by way of training opportunities and temporary stints at other branches. It is little wonder therefore that she was previously adjudged Supervisor of the Year. However, she did not keep her knowledge to herself but served as a mentor to the many young persons who were entering the workforce for the first time. Her willingness to patiently groom and encourage them was remarkable; and I am sure that there are many here who can attest to this. Many persons who have spoken to us since her passing have in fact reflected on Marcia’s even temperament, pleasant demeanour and generosity. From our perspective inside the Bank, we had noted a certain joy and peace surrounding her, particularly at the recent dedication of her son and in spite of her illness. On that occasion also, she spoke fondly of the Bank’s team members as being part of her extended family. Marcia has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the landscape of the 1st National Bank. Her contribution towards the upliftment of our staff and the enhancement of our service standards will not be forgotten.
We hope that all of us will continue to be mindful of the fine example she set. Let us therefore endeavour to be supportive of her family and of each other at this time of bereavement. Above all, we pray that God will have mercy on her Soul and grant her a place in His heavenly Kingdom. We will certainly miss her. Mrs. Beryl Carasco –Alleyne Human Resource Manager
Highlights
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Highlights
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Spotlight on the Community 1st National Bank aids CDGC to better Serve the Special Needs youth of Saint lucia 2012
The TELLER Khan within weeks of attending the institution had been diagnosed as being autistic. This meant that we knew what we were dealing with. Since attending the institute for the first time one year ago, Khan’s social skills have improved significantly. We have witnessed consistent improvement. Furthermore we are also much better equipped to manage him. I have also very grateful that we were able to bridge the communication barrier that existed between Khan and I. The center has made us both better communicators. This center has brought a lot of joy to my life in helping my child, and in helping me, personally. I cannot put a price on my son and I being able to communicate our thoughts and feelings to each other and I am so grateful to the center for giving us this gift. Mr. Robert Fevrier Manager Projects and Services of the 1 st National Bank was present at the ceremony showing the Bank’s support for the center.
The only child development and assessment center on island the Child Development and Guidance Center opened its new wing at its offices in La Panse. A ceremony was held to bless the new wing. Dr.Kim Gardner Sadoo, director of the institution addressed those present on the work that has been done since this institutions inception. The Child development and Guidance Center continues to function as the only institution of disciplinary assessment and development on the island. To date it has had the aid of over 50 volunteers providing 1000’s of hours of therapy for children. Eight-hundred and thirty children have been assessed by the CDGC over the years and hundreds more within the school system. Opened in 1998 and registered as a non-profit organization in Saint Lucia since 2001, the centers objective has been catering to special needs children. This facility has helped many parents who would have otherwise become frustrated with the added pressure of nurturing a special needs child.
1st National Bank has been involved with Child Development and Guidance Center for a number of years. We have signed a three year covenant with them totaling EC$30,000. At the Child Development and Guidance center children from birth to the age of 16 receive help for their special needs. Although originally housed in the Donata school, the institution grew, first by gaining its own space with two rooms in 2005. Due to the tremendous support from the community, and socially conscious corporate entities such as 1 st National Bank the administration
Spotlight on the Community
The TELLER
was able to build a new wing. They are now equipped to meet the needs of the special needs youth of the Saint lucian community.
and engagements. They have been instrumental in raising funds for charitable causes.
1st National Bank Spreading Christmas Cheer
We also participated along side the group freedom voices when we endeavored to raise funds to aid the victims affected by the earthquake across the Haitian community. We are a very formidable group, vivacious, spritely, a group that really reflects the nature of 1st National Bank Limited, the country’s only indigenous bank. Therefore we are exceedingly proud to be doing this for the people of Vieux-Fort this morning. The performance on the streets of Vieux-Fort was somewhat of a surprise for the community. The group had truly been looking forward to this engagement in particular. It really blended in with the whole ambience and culture, because as you cans see there is a local market in the foreground. We have been able to create that local flavor in the air through many traditional Creole songs. It really appealed to our audience.
Throughout the year what we have done is to give back to the community. This time what we decided to do is to put some icing on the fruitcake, and that is exactly what we did. This is the first time that 1st National Bank took its in house choir outside to perform in the south. Soothing notes filled the morning air outside 1 st National Bank’s Vieux-Fort branch located on Commercial Street. The group is twenty members strong and so far the group has been confined to the north of Saint Lucia. This Christmas season they decided to do things a little differently. We have been doing this for a number of years, but we have mostly focused on the north. This year though, we saw it fitting to travel down to the south to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with our colleagues of the southern branch in Vieux-Fort as well as our customers and their community. It is our pleasure to bring some Christmas cheer to them. The group performs at 1 st National Bank’s other official events
The group was accompanied by musician Martin James and Roland Francois and is under the directorship of Ms. Elra Ermay Glasgow.
Money Guide for Financial Success
The TELLER
A communication of the National Savings and Investment Programme supported by 1st National Bank
Financial Resolution for the Coming Year Know What You Want Have a clear, concise financial goal for the year. It isn’t good enough to say, “I want to have my credit card paid down and more money in the bank”. Instead, you should say, “I have the balance on my credit card paid down to $0, over $5,000 in my savings account.” Prioritize Your Debts Not all debt is created equal. Make a list of your liabilities and organize them by the annual interest. Those with the highest rates (most likely your credit card debt) should be paid off immediately. It does no good to invest money while you are paying 19%+ each year. If you owe $10,000 on your credit card and pay 19% interest annually ($1,900 per year), while at the same time, own a $10,000 certificate of deposit at a bank, paying you 4% interest ($400 a year), you would actually save yourself $1,500 a year by paying the debt! Enroll in an Automatic Savings Plan Automatic savings plans are now offered for many things including brokerage accounts. Simply call your broker and tell them you want a certain amount of money withdrawn from your checking or savings account each month, on a certain date, and deposited into your investment account. This way, you are forced to save because the cash is drawn directly from your bank before you can get your hands on it. Investors can often sign up for ASP's through a company's direct stock purchase plan. In these instances, the money is withdrawn and used to purchase additional shares of stock in the particular company. Make every Coin Count Any time you make purchases with cash, only spend whole dollar amounts. If you go to the grocery store and your ticket comes to
$67.39, pay $70 in cash and pocket the change. The first thing you should do when you go home is throw the money in a large container (empty water jugs are perfect.) If you adhere to this policy and don’t spend any of the change, you are likely to save several thousand dollars over the course of a year. Use the money to pay down debt, buy stocks and bonds, or go on vacation. Begin Using Personal Finance Software Knowledge is power. If you asked ten people on the street how much they spent last year on books or movie tickets, nine of them probably couldn’t answer. With a few keystrokes, however, someone using personal finance software such as Microsoft Money or Quicken can find out. Print a report at the end of every December and spend an evening studying and going over your income and expenditures for the year. You will often be surprised at the amount you spend on the “small things”. Read a Financial Book Each Month If you want to learn to cook, you read cookbooks. If you want to learn to fix an engine, you ask someone to show you. The printed word is amazing in that it allows you to communicate directly with the most brilliant financial minds of the past century. Through the written word, their death, retirement, or physical location is rendered meaningless; their ideas, philosophies, and techniques live on. It’s as if you are inviting Benjamin Graham or Philip Fisher into your home, any time you choose, at a moment’s notice, simply by picking up a copy of their work and turning the page. Consistently applying yourself to learn as much as you can about the financial markets, the nature of money and investments in general is absolutely essential to creating long-term wealth
Interesting Money Facts From Across the Globe
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G N I T $ E R E T IN $ T C A F Y E N MO If you toss a penny 10,000 times, it will not be heads 50% of the time, but more like 49%. The heads picture weighs more, so it ends up on the bottom. So always pick tails, you have a slightly better chance.
95% of the bills printed each year are used to replace bills already in circulation.
There is more Monopoly money printed in a year, than real money printed throughout the world. The amount of money in a Monopoly game is $15,140.
It’s been estimated that between 1/3 and 1/2 of all bills in circulation after the Civil War were fakes! (this was the impetus for creating the Secret Service)
On an American one-dollar bill, there is an owl in the upper lefthand corner of the “1” encased in the “shield”. There is a spider hidden in the front upper right-hand corner of the bill.
The largest bill by size is the 100,000 Piso of the Philippines according to the Guinness Book of Records, it’s about the size of legal paper.
On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament Building is an American flag.
In the past, people have used many different things as money. Among them: salt, cocoa beans, grain, cows, shark’s teeth, and precious stones.
There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. The lifespan of a coin is thirty years, the lifespan of a bill is a mere 18 months.
It costs about 6.2 cents to print each bill (2007).
The wealth required to provide adequate food, water, education, health and housing for everyone in the world for a whole year is equivalent to the amount spent on arms every two weeks worldwide.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS "When I decided to expand my property development business from the South to the bustling North of the island I chose 1st National Bank as my preferred financial partner. The personal attention which I get and their commitment and flexibility are key to my business success. This relationship continues to grow and I can say without hesitation that I made the right choice. Its about local business looking after local business and its easy to see how they care."
Produced by Orange Media Group
Bryan Daher Property Developer