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We are so close to returning banking to VG — Premier

Banco Popular

More than six months after being without a bank on their island, residents of Virgin Gorda are being told that this inconvenience will soon be over.

“We are this close to getting a bank on Virgin Gorda,” Premier Andrew Fahie said as he pinched his fingers close together to demonstrate how near his government is to returning the service to the sister island.

He was speaking at a VIP celebratory event on Saturday.

He along with other members of his administration held a ‘fruitful’ meeting with Banco Popular last week.

At the time, the Premier said: “An official announcement will be made in the not too distant future of when this will happen. Thank God we are closer now than ever in making this happen thanks to Banco Popular officials.”

He said Junior Minister of Tourism Shereen Flax-Charles, as well as representative of the Ninth District where Virgin Gorda is located, Vincent Wheatley,were the two other government members present during the latest bout of negotiations with Banco Popular.

Virgin Gorda was left without banking services after Scotiabank departed the island last August to cut costs. Their departure raised great concern among the sister island community whose residents now have to ferry to Tortola to fulfil their banking needs.

Scotia’s closure comes a few short months after CIBC First Caribbean also fled the sister island.

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16 Comments

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  1. Yes! says:

    That’s my bank! I’m so happy it’s them! My savings and deposits going to be 51% more better then now!

  2. Feed us! Yummy says:

    Are we going to really buy the idea that it’s Fahie and the VIP that will make this happen? The last government had all the discussions already with Banco Popular on this and got an agreement from them that they will do everything to open the branch in VG. If I recall, the last district rep made an announcement about this. I guess just like how the new premier, in his super hero suit, was able to get the EU to keep us off the blacklist within 6 days of being elected, he will do the same thing now. Don’t mind all the work the last government did with passing the substance legislation that the EU wanted to see before making their decision. Don’t mind all the work that the financial services industry did to figure out what exactly the EU was looking for. Don’t mind any of that for one second. Premier Fahie you are right. If you see people who continue to allow you to fool them then keep fooling them. They seem to like it. We like lies, rumors, gossip and half truths. Keep feeding us Premier. We love it!

    Like 79
    Dislike 24
    • East lady says:

      It doesnt matter! VG needs a bank!

      Like 16
      Dislike 18
    • Reasoning says:

      @Feed Us!Yummy and others claiming credit for NDP, Yes let’s give credit where its due. If we are talking about “Firsts”, Hon Fahie, then leader of the opposition was the first elected official to come to VG on behalf of the district; held a meeting at Fischers Cove, (a jam packed meeting) and spoke of the various meetings he held with Nat. Bank, Popular and others while trying to find a solution for the situation. However, we are not saying that NDP didn’t do good things; we are not totally discrediting them. But if you are claiming Credit for NDP accomplishments, we will have to give them credit for giving away $7.20 mil for a plane we do’t have; $8 mil redirected from 7/8 district sewage project, $40-mil TPP over run, millions spent for consultancy at TBLIA, $20+ mils spent on lawsuits, $20+ mil spent on other consultancies and like Sister Joyce sang in her “Drain the swamp” song, credit for Bulldozing our country and finally give credit for our alternative RDA Government.

      Like 20
      Dislike 33
    • WOW... says:

      Petty much?

      Like 2
      Dislike 3
    • Please says:

      The other government did not get it done. They lied to us many times.

      Like 9
      Dislike 2
  3. Anonymous says:

    Mr Premier please give Jack his Jacket! This process was in play way before election. Don’t bother take credit for it. Banco Popular was already agreed, and had done their groundwork by the previous gov before you were crowned. There’s a story on it somewhere. So go start a new project please that will be valuable to the people.

    Like 49
    Dislike 16
    • Credit for pushing!! says:

      It doesnt matter! VG needs a bank!
      Besides if Fahie doesnt push this project hard enough there might be further delay!or in some cases fall through the cracks! Push Fahie Push! but dont take credit..just see that it happens!

      Like 10
      Dislike 21
  4. Hoop says:

    Mr Premier please give Jack his Jacket! This process was in play way before election. Don’t bother take credit for it. Banco Popular was already agreed, and had done their groundwork by the previous gov before you were crowned. There’s a story on it somewhere. So go start a new project please that will be valuable to the people.

    Like 28
    Dislike 9
    • Anonymous says:

      Does it matter if NDP or VIP brings up the idea it need a bank in VG that is the bottom line who ever is in power they are working for the people of this country.

      Like 13
      Dislike 10
      • @Anonymous says:

        @Anonymous, we’re you not in a post above waxing about give jack his jacket? Are you speaking out of both sides of your mouth or there is an impostor lurking? Did you forget what you post? Look like Hoop had the identical post.

        Like 11
        Dislike 6
  5. Ausar says:

    And dont forget Jost Van Dyke, Premier!

    Banking services for those not on Tortola has been made even more difficult after the storms.

    Even if banking officials can come over for the day with needed security via ferry or helicopter, we’ve got to find ways to advance the banking services offered.

    Were counting on you, Premier, to get it done!

    Like 8
    Dislike 4
  6. Time alone says:

    Many already having buyers’ remorse..time will tell.

    Like 5
    Dislike 4
  7. Truth says:

    The process was started by THE RESIDENTS OF VIRGIN GORDA and NOT THE NDP

  8. Okay says:

    The NDP said six months ago that National Bank would be coming VG in 4 weeks. That was a lie. Then they said Banco Popular will open in a month. That was another lie. They also said that Scotia didn’t tell them they were closing the VG branch. This too was a lie. I will take my chances with the VIP.

    Like 8
    Dislike 1

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