The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) is looking to recognise an outstanding 2010 Graduate from within the School of Business, College of the Bahamas.

This initiative is a joint venture of BFSB, the College of the Bahamas and the Central Bank of the Bahamas, in collaboration with the Professional Industry Association Working Group (PIAWG) – a representative body for the various financial services industry-related associations here in The Bahamas. The criterion for initial selection is based on academic performance as demonstrated by GPA. Additional criteria include COB and community involvement, special interests, further education, and work/other experience. Last week, the Selection Committee completed interviews with the finalists, who will be announced shortly. The final phase of the judging process includes the interviews and a written submission from each candidate. The 2010 “Student of the Year” will be recognised at BFSB’s Annual Industry Excellence Awards Ceremony on October 21.

The Student Award programme is an integral component of BFSB’s ongoing Financial Centre Focus (FCF) programme that addresses issues such as (a) challenges impacting the sustained growth and development of the industry; (b) improvements to the level of service; and (c) attracting and maintaining qualified professionals.

This year, the Award is jointly sponsored by Societe Generale Private Banking (Bahamas) Ltd. and CFAL. SG Private Banking has been a consistent Co-Sponsor of the student award since 2004, while the Colina Group of Companies also supported the award as a Co-Sponsor in 2004 and 2005 under Colina Investment Advisors, and under CFAL as a cooperating partner in the ensuing years.

*Photo caption: Pictured are members of the 2010 FSI Student Award Selection Committee – including representatives of the Award Sponsors. Front Row – Left to right: Anastacia Johnson, Association of International Banks & Trust Companies; Joan Pinder, Former College of the Bahamas School of Business Chair; Nadine Frazier, Insurance Institute of the Bahamas; and Nicole Pratt-Rolle, Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners. Second Row – left to right: Cathy Williams, Colina; Renee Barrow, SG Private Banking, Carla Sweeting, Bahamas Real Estate Association; Cyprianna Bethel, Central Bank of the Bahamas; and Medgar Bonimy, Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants. Not pictured are Committee members D. Nguyen-Comito, Bahamas Financial Services Board; Karen Lockhart, College of the Bahamas; Marcia Seymour-Miles, College of the Bahamas; and Roger Brown, Bahamas Insurance Association.*