Dear Editor,

One of the most overlooked consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica is the widespread financial anxiety now affecting hundreds of thousands of citizens. This quiet crisis stems not only from the economic fallout of the pandemic itself but also from the rapid and often insensitive shift by the banking and financial sectors towards digital-only operations.

In the rush to reset operations, many banks hastily deterred face-to-face transactions and pushed clients towards online banking, often with little regard for the realities of a vulnerable demographic. For countless Jamaicans, particularly the elderly, the digitally illiterate, and those with physical or mental challenges, this shift has proven disastrous.

The abrupt phasing out of traditional banking tools, such as bank books and printed receipts, without proper warning or adequate transitional support, has left many in confusion and distress. Clients report being unable to properly track their funds, facing unexplained account discrepancies, and receiving curt or delayed responses when seeking assistance. In some cases, entire savings have seemingly vanished without clear explanation or remedy.

Whether intentional or not, this move towards a cashless, digital-first banking environment has effectively weaponised the system against the very people it should serve. While financial institutions continue to post record profits, a significant portion of the population is left struggling, financially defenceless, in a climate of rising inflation and deepening economic instability.

The shift to digital systems must not come at the cost of human dignity or financial security. A more balanced, inclusive approach is urgently needed, one that restores trust and ensures no Jamaican is left behind in the name of technological advancement.

Dr Arthur Green

rahukemetba@gmail.com