FIRSTCARIBBEAN International Bank Bahamas has won its fourth consecutive Bank of the Year award from the acclaimed magazine — The Banker — published by the Financial Times of London.

The Bank of the Year 2009 Award comes at the culmination of another year of solid performance by FirstCaribbean. The Bahamas has won this coveted award since 2006, consistently being singled out for maintaining strong and prudent balance sheet management within the current turbulent global financial markets.

The Banker has acknowledged that 2009 will be remembered in years to come, as one of the most difficult periods faced by the banking community in decades. However, it notes that these awards come at a time when customers and strategic partners around the world will be looking for a positive demonstration of continuing strength. “The recognition of being named ‘Bank of the Year 2009’ by the world’s longest- running international banking title is testament to the strong management and prudent risk approach that FirstCaribbean International Bank has made this year,” according to the magazine’s editors.

Managing director for The Bahamas, Sharon E Brown, also acknowledges that the award is especially significant in these times of economic challenge. “Our success continues to be due to our adherence to the strategic goals and vision this bank has set. With our customers and employees firmly backing us, we intend to deliver on our long-term vision.”

This award also holds special significance to Brown as she enters retirement at year-end after almost twenty-three years of service to the Bank. Brown was recently named deputy chairman of the board of directors at FirstCaribbean.

Since its inception in 2002, FirstCaribbean has received many awards from The Banker. In 2008, FirstCaribbean was named Bank of the Year for its operations in The Bahamas and Barbados. Prior to this, the Bahamas shared honours with The Cayman Islands and Jamaica. The bank’s Barbados operation was named Bank of the Year in 2004.

First published in January 1926, The Banker is one of the world’s leading financial journals that provides a truly global perspective through its coverage of over 120 countries. News articles include coverage of retail and investment banking, capital markets, FX & treasury, global securities services and banking technology, as well as country and regional surveys. The bank’s win will be featured in the December issue of The Banker.