Belize Bank Opens Branch Office in Caye Caulker

The Belize Bank Limited is the first, oldest and largest bank in the country. The bank continues to grow and on Thursday it added one new branch to its operations. Caye Caulker Village now has a Belize Bank branch office. It has been six years in the making but is only now being realized due to several delays. The first delay was brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic. Post COVID, there has been a boom in the tourism sector on the island and a shortage of available properties. Well, all that has been worked out, and on Thursday evening, The Belize Bank Limited officially inaugurated its Caye Caulker branch office bring their services closer to their clients on the island. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Thursday, The Belize Bank Limited inaugurated its first branch office in Caye Caulker Village.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker Village

“We must acknowledge a well-established institution, the Belize Bank, for finally making Caye Caulker their home.”

 

Seleny Villanueva- Pott, the Chairlady of Caye Caulker Village addressed the gathering. She explained that the village’s business community is rapidly expanding. Pott noted that the bank’s physical presence provides an alternative banking experience for residents.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

“I am sure the business community is grateful for the alternative of a third banking institution. This allows for options and creates a competitiveness among the various banking institutions, which allow for further benefits to the business community, of better interest rates on loans and additional services. The presence of Belize Bank also indicates a growing Caye Caulker stable economy. Another institution also gives the business community another opportunity for further growth and expansion as more options allow for better rates for customers.”

 

The newly inaugurated Belize Bank Caye Caulker branch office is located in the center of the village on Capoose Street. An automated teller machine is situated on the building’s exterior, next to the entrance. Belize Bank customers on the island can now withdraw from their accounts directly through their bank as opposed to using the service of another institution.  Inside, customers will be able to take advantage of the services Belize Bank offers, at any of the three customer representatives or the tellers.  Imer Cordova has been appointed to lead the branch.

 

Imer Cordova, Caye Caulker Branch Manager, Belize Bank

“The Belize Bank has opened a full-service branch. As you all are aware operating, and we provide a wide range of products and services for you all. Our doors are open to serve you all as a part of our financial inclusion, vision and commitment to the country of Belize. The opening addresses the rising demand for financial services in this popular tourism destination benefiting both you guys, the locals, the business owner as well as those who fall in love with the island. Access to finance is crucial for community development, enabling individuals and businesses to manage their finances and achieve their goals.”

 

The small, relaxed island is favored by budget-friendly travelers looking for a laid-back vibes along the shores of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The town stretches for approximately four miles and offers visitors activities both in the sea and on land. The main industry on the island prior to tourism was fishing. So, what took the Belize Bank so long to establish a branch on the island? That’s what we asked Filippo Alario, Executive Chairman at Belize Bank Limited.

 

Filippo Alario, Executive Chairman, Belize Bank Limited

“We started to look at Caye Caulker as a place to open a branch for many years. We have sent eh development. What caught us a little off guard was COVID, that was almost two years. Then when COVID finished we started to see a little bit of an uptick of people coming back to the island. The development was so high that it was difficult to find a place. So we finally found the right location. I think we are in the middle of the island and extremely excited to open. A little overdue, but we are here to stay. We are here to support the business community. WE are here to support our digital transformation, our digital products. There are many small businesses dealing with international tourists and they require the right tools to be able to provide them the service they need.”

 

The branch has been in operation since January, though it was officially inaugurated on Thursday evening. The Belize Bank Limited serve its customers, prior to the construction of the branch. Chairman Alario says that with physical presence the bank’s digital services will expand on the island.

 

Filippo Alario

“We opened several months ago, and it has been a success. We have been able to give people a choice and a choice is always good. We think that the growth that Caye Caulker has experienced will continue, being the bank that is focused on digital transformation we feel that we are needed here physically to make sure we can push all of those products.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.