FIDELITY – FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THE COMMUNITY

As The Bahamas marches forward to its 50th year of independence, its flag flies high and proud because of its many accomplishments, including stability in its financial system, a hallmark of a sovereign nation. Such an accomplishment is attributed to the contributions of locally owned financial institutions, including its grandfather – Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited (Fidelity).

Forty-five (45) years ago, Fidelity served as a beacon of hope for Bahamians seeking home ownership in an independent Bahamas. Since then, Fidelity has morphed into a significantly influential clearing bank. It is the only commercial bank that can boast of being birthed from the womb of The Bahamas, that has grown to compete toe to toe with any financial institution, domestic or international.

The community is viewed as such a vital stakeholder because the other key stakeholders, including team members, borrowers, depositors and shareholders, are offspring of the community. Plainly put, without the community, First Home would not have satisfied a need and would not have transformed itself into the respected Bahamian-bred Fidelity.

The makeup of Fidelity is designed to come full circle. Children of the community become team members; all members of the community are offered free financial coaching; and priorities born out of that coaching are supported through responsible lending. In turn, Fidelity provides a safe harbour for funds earned from meeting those priorities, and then there is an opportunity to invest those funds and become a shareholder, who is rewarded by an enviable return on investment.

Understanding the importance of investing in future generations, Fidelity is committed to providing opportunities for young people to succeed, from mentorship programmes to scholarships, ultimately seeking to shape young leaders. Specifically for the children of its team members, there is the “Fidelity Pays for A”s Education Plan, which recognises and financially rewards student achievers for: each “A” achieved on the Report Card; each “A” achieved in core examinations, including the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE); and awards received at graduation for 6th and 12th graders. An annual awards ceremony is hosted to highlight student achievements, and financial rewards are deposited immediately thereafter.

Fidelity, originally First Home Banking Corporation, a privately owned financial institution, opened its doors on May 26, 1978. Through the years of germination, the entity has been a part of a multinational financial services group, rebranding to British American Bank (1993) Limited. And since the mid 1990s, following its rebranding to Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited, Fidelity has represented broader Bahamian ownership of the domestic financial services sector, with its ordinary shares listed and traded on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange.

The growth and expansion of Fidelity has been afforded due to the organisation staying true to its core principles of facilitating community development, focusing on youth development, .and fostering professional advancement of young professionals. To ensure these core principles remain at the forefront of the activities of Fidelity, the Fidelity Group Donations Committee exists to direct the efforts of Fidelity to support the communities that make up the archipelagic nation of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Our Financial Centres

The commercial activities of Fidelity comprise offering financial products, services and expertise that help to advance the financial health of Bahamian families, and these activities are complimented by philanthropic activities that redirect a portion of the financial successes of Fidelity to the communities it serves, with the objective of contributing towards the improvement of socioeconomic conditions for all Bahamians. A notable contribution, which encompasses youth development, is the adoption of a school by Fidelity on the island of New Providence just a few feet away from its first branch on Wulff Road, representatively located in the “belly of the over-the-hill community”.

Peering into the rear-view mirror of the first forty-five (45) years of Fidelity, it is powerful to see from whence it has come – from a small community initiative to a significant clearing bank, known for its responsible lending practices and financial coaching, along with its leadership in community and youth development. It is a rich legacy that emulates the country from which it originated, The Bahamas, as an entity that punches far above its weight class. Fidelity represents a source of pride for all of its stakeholders – team members, customers, shareholders, mentees and the communities of the archipelago – and leaves them all anxiously and enthusiastically looking forward to the next forty-five (45) years.

Contact Us

Nassau: (242) 356-7764

Freeport: (242) 352-6676/7

Marsh Harbour: (242) 823-4374