WHEN little Kevoy Hayden helped his parents run the family business during his childhood, he had no idea he was laying the foundation for his own future in leadership. Today, he is the branch manager of First Global Bank’s top-performing Ocho Rios Branch, recognised as Branch of the Year for 2024.

“It is a blessing, and I give God the glory because it was a challenging year,” he said of the 2024 award win.

“I am grateful to my team at the Ocho Rios branch as they worked very hard and as a synergised unit towards a common goal. I also appreciate the other branches for keeping us motivated by their hard work, showing us that we must keep working harder to remain ahead.”

Leading a team of nine employees, Hayden is no stranger to recognition. Under his leadership the location has won the Branch of the Year award four times in five years as well as the First Global Bank 2025 Future Makers Champion Award. At an individual level Hayden has also earned the Champion Branch Manager Award, the CEO Excellence Award, and the Personal Business Banking Vice-President Award — some of his most rewarding career moments.

Despite the accolades, Hayden insists the greatest reward is “the gratitude my clients express when they accomplish their dreams of owning their homes, cars, or funding for their businesses”.

Believing that banking is his calling, this man of faith takes his role in his clients’ lives seriously.

“My philosophy is that God has blessed me with this opportunity and the ability to help others achieve their most desired possessions in life, and I don’t believe that’s something that should be taken lightly,” Hayden shared.

That philosophy has shaped the way he assesses client needs, manages his branch, and builds a culture of teamwork and trust in the office.

“I would like my legacy to be based on the number of persons’ lives I have been able to positively impact,” the decorated banker said.

Hayden’s professional journey began at churches co-operative credit union limited, where he progressed from teller to branch ambassador, loans officer, and administrative officer. After a brief time in entrepreneurship he spent five years in sales and marketing at Jamaica Broilers Group before joining First Global Bank as a business banking executive.

“When I transitioned to the role of business banking executive, the first year was slow in some of my target areas, and my performance was not where I wanted it to be,” he recalled. “Despite planting all the seeds and doing all the groundwork, the results took a while to come to fruition. This affected me psychologically, physically, and emotionally, and for the first time in my career I was not feeling confident as an individual.”

But with support from his then manager and a determination to provide for his family, Hayden kept going. Soon enough, the results followed, and the awards began to accumulate.

The St Ann native has steadily climbed the corporate ladder, moving from business banker to managing a bank branch in his home parish. The full-circle moment is even more poignant as Hayden, who grew up in a tight-knit community in Content Garden before moving to Mile End District as a child, is supporting the dreams of individuals from the very communities that poured into his childhood development.

As the first-born in a nuclear family, responsibility, discipline, and faith shaped his early years.

“I was an avid church boy, learning good, godly principles from an early age which made me appreciate the value of having good ethics and values in all I do,” he recounted. “My parents tried their best to not let me want for anything…[and] I’m forever grateful.”

He shared that after his parents’ separation he mainly focused on schooling and providing support at the family business at Dunn’s River Falls on weekends and during holiday breaks. There, he would manage staff and manage business sales.

The two family businesses –– an auto brokerage and a restaurant, and both decades in operation –– moulded Hayden into an efficient executive. He recalls being up as early as 5:00 am, seven days a week, to assist with its operation, holidays and weekends included.

“This level of responsibility of supervising staff, managing business and balancing time with both parents has really assisted me in becoming an adaptable, insightful, and resourceful individual today,” he said.

Hayden believes that family is crucial to his vision of success and is the proud father to 12-year-old Kejaun, whose achievements fuel his drive.

“True success transcends not just your career; it’s also about the relationships you build, especially with your children and loved ones,” he shared.

With roughly 12 years in the banking sector and a career decorated with helping families and individuals across Jamaica, Hayden remains ambitious but grounded, hanging on to his faith that the Lord will direct his path. Though he has found his calling in banking he said he is open to other opportunities, staying true to his principle of re-evaluating himself and life objectives every five years.

He is working to be remembered as not just the banker who positively affected lives, but one who aptly balances profitability with practicality.

To young men who feel intimidated by chasing their dreams, his advice is straightforward: “If you’re not feeling intimidated, then you’re not chasing the right dream. Nothing worth having ever comes easy, and nothing that comes easy will value its worth. The fact that you are feeling intimidated means you are on to something worthwhile, so be positive, be brave, and put God first in all you do.”