About Us
Our Mission
To ensure the strength and continuing success of our member organizations by promoting a safe, vibrant and competitive banking sector through an effective programme of advocacy and education that will also enhance the economic well being of consumers within the banking community.
Who We Are
The Jamaica Banker’s Association (JBA) is a non-profit organization that represents commercial and merchant banks in Jamaica. Our activities are supported by membership fees as well as revenues that may be obtained from endeavors in keeping with our objectives.
In 1973, the JBA became a company under the Laws of Jamaica, with our membership consisting of the country's then eight commercial banks. Trust Companies, Finance Houses and other Banking Institutions are also invited to become associate members.
Our training arm, The Jamaica Institute of Bankers (JIOB) was set up in 1977, with the goal of providing training and professional development for employees within the financial sector. The institute conducts conferences, workshops and tutorials, and also offers a fully accredited distance-learning programme leading to the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) through the Manchester School of Business, the University of Wales.
The JBA maintained its own secretariat until December 2002, when our operations, as well as those of the JIOB were joined with the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ). In May 2010 the JIOB was renamed as the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS) to reflect its mandate to offer its range of training and education services to the entire financial services sector and not just the banking sector.
In 1973, the JBA became a company under the Laws of Jamaica, with our membership consisting of the country's then eight commercial banks. Trust Companies, Finance Houses and other Banking Institutions are also invited to become associate members.
Our training arm, The Jamaica Institute of Bankers (JIOB) was set up in 1977, with the goal of providing training and professional development for employees within the financial sector. The institute conducts conferences, workshops and tutorials, and also offers a fully accredited distance-learning programme leading to the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) through the Manchester School of Business, the University of Wales.
The JBA maintained its own secretariat until December 2002, when our operations, as well as those of the JIOB were joined with the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ). In May 2010 the JIOB was renamed as the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS) to reflect its mandate to offer its range of training and education services to the entire financial services sector and not just the banking sector.
Our Executives
Audrey Tugwell Henry
JBA President
- Read More Audrey Tugwell Henry is the President & CEO, Scotia Group Jamaica Limited since January 1, 2021. She has been employed to Scotiabank for a collective period of 14 years in executive positions. Audrey joined Scotiabank in May 2000 to May 2008 and again in September 2017 as the Executive Vice President, Retail and Small Business Banking, Caribbean North & Central. Audrey has a combined 36 years of experience in banking with 21 years at the executive level and a proven track record leading businesses within the Financial Services Industry. She is passionate about women empowerment, diversity and inclusion. Audrey spearheaded the launch of the Scotiabank Women Initiative in Jamaica, a program supporting women-led and women-owned businesses.Audrey is very passionate about the development of talent and provides guidance and coaching through involvement in various mentorship programmes. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), an organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of women leaders. Audrey serves as the President of the Jamaica Bankers’ Association, appointed in October 2023, as well as a board member of the Mona School of Business and Management. She has a Diploma in Education from Church Teachers’ College, Mandeville, a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Mona School of Business.
Radcliffe Daley
JBA Vice President
- Read More Radcliffe Daley was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in September 2022. Radcliffe joined GraceKennedy in 2002 and held the position of Vice President, Retail Banking with First Global Bank, Vice President Operations at First Global Financial Service and Chief Audit Executive for the GraceKennedy Group. Radcliffe returned to First Global Bank in October 2020 as Chief Operating Officer, a role he served in up to August 31, 2022.Radcliffe’s banking experience exceeds thirty (30) years, with his penchant for banking beginning in 1983 at the Bank of Commerce (CIBC/FCIB) before moving to the Citizen’s Bank in 1986 until 1992 when he returned to CIBC a tenure that lasted until 2000. During those years he held varying management positions in both organizations. In 2000 he joined Students Loan Bureau as their Loan Servicing Manager.Radcliffe has extensive Board, sporting and Affiliate responsibilities including: Director of GraceKennedy Money Services Cayman, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands and GK Foundation, West Indies Retired Players Foundation and Eclectic Security Services. He is also a trustee of Sts. Peter and Paul Preparatory School Pension Fund; Member of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston Finance Commission; 1st Vice President of the Kensington Cricket Club; member Management Committee of the Kingston Cricket Club;.Radcliffe holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and Bachelor degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies, Mona.
Eva Lewis
JBA Treasurer
- Read More Eva Lewis is a Director of Citi (Jamaica) with 37 years of experience in the Jamaican Banking industry. Eva currently holds the position of CCO and BCMA Head of Citi Jamaica leading a team of 46 employees. Eva has played substantive and, in some cases, lead roles in many large signature transactions executed by the Citi Jamaica franchise. Eva joined the Bank in 1987 and throughout her career with Citi Jamaica has held the positions of Country Treasurer and Corporate Finance Head. Eva was appointed Citi Country Officer effective March 31, 2017. Eva currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the Jamaica Bankers Association as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. She is also a director of AMCHAM Jamaica. Eva is a member and a Past Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) a Sub Committee of the United Way of Jamaica and is also a member of the International Women’s Forum (Jamaica chapter) which focuses on supporting and developing leadership in women globally. Eva is also a director of the board of the Edna Manley Foundation for the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica. Eva is a St. Lucian National and holds an MBA from Temple University, Philadelphia, and a BSc. Hons) in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. Eva is married to Allan, and they have 3 daughters.
Nigel Holness
JBA Company Secretary
- Read More He is responsible for delivering financial solutions that drive profitable and sustainable growth across the Bank, along with creating and digitally enabled, modern and customer centric organization.Nigel’s experience in the financial services industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean, spans over 36 years, having joined the CIBC FirstCaribbean family “formerly CIBC“, in 1988. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career with CIBC, navigating his way across various segments, various disciplines and multiple markets. This landed him in his current role as a Senior Executive Officer of the Bank having full accountability for Corporate & Investment Banking, Personal & Business Banking and the Operations & Support units based in Jamaica.Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, he was the Jamaica Country Treasurer having returned to his native island, after efficaciously supporting the expansion of the Regional Treasury Sales and Trading Segment in the Barbados - Head Office of CIBC Caribbean.Nigel has been exposed to a number of formal training and development programs locally and internationally, and holds a Masters Certificate in Financial Services Leadership from York University (Schulich School of Business), along with a Masters of Business Administration (Chartered Banker) from Bangor University.
Leesa Kow
- Read More An experienced financial professional and business developer, Leesa Kow was appointed Managing Director of JN Bank in July 2022.She rose to her current position after serving as Deputy Managing Director for JN Bank, a role she assumed in November 2017. As Deputy Managing Director, she led the implementation of JN Bank’s strategic digitalisation initiatives, overseeing both the operational and change management processes to ensure alignment and success. She also guided the development of the Bank’s compliance culture and management of its risk framework, including the Risk, Compliance and Operations portfolios, and the alignment of the Bank’s business strategies.Ms Kow began her career at the Jamaica National Building Society in 2003 as Senior Manager for Remittances. In 2006, she was promoted to Executive, Marketing, Sales and Promotion and two years later to General Manager of JN Money Services Limited (JNMS), which now trades as JN Money. During her leadership of JNMS, JN Money (then JN Money Transfer) became the largest remittance brand from the Caribbean, expanding from some 200 branches and agents to more than 8,000, spanning three continents, over a three-year period. She also led JN Money to become the market leader on important remittance corridors from the United Kingdom and Cayman to Jamaica.Ms Kow served as president of the Jamaica Money Remitters Association from 2012 to 2017. She was elected chair of the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) in October 2022 and previously served as a director and chairperson of the CAB Advocacy Committee.She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies and Accounting (First Class Honours) and a Master of Science degree in International Business (Distinction) from The University of the West Indies.
Jerome Smalling
- Read More Jerome Smalling is a seasoned financial expert with an esteemed 26-year career in banking spanning the Caribbean and North America. Smalling joined the JMMB Group team in 2012 as the CEO of the then JMMB Merchant Bank. In his role as Group Banking Lead his key functions include, formulating strategic plans, ensuring the development and promotion of products and services, reviewing the Bank’s overall financial position, and determining appropriate strategies to achieve sustained profitability, expansion, and growth.His career includes tenures as Scotiabank Branch Manager, Vice President, Personal Banking at RBC Caribbean and Manager, Branch Sales Strategy Initiatives at the RBC Royal Bank’s National Office in Toronto Canada.He holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in business & professional management from the H. Wayne Huizenga Business School, Nova Southeastern University, Florida, USA. Jerome is also a fellow of The Institute of Canadian Bankers and completed executive training at The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School. Jerome is currently pursuing his childhood passion and is currently enrolled in the University of Essex Law School, Master of Law in International Business program.Jerome is a Director for JMMB Bank and has overall responsibility for JMMB’s banking businesses in Trinidad and Tobago and The Dominican Republic. He also held the post of President of the Jamaica Bankers’ Association between July 2019 and July 2021. As a passionate contributor to nation-building, he sits on the boards of the Port Authority of Jamaica and the Spectrum Management Authority of Jamaica where he leads as Chairman of the Board Finance Sub Committees. He also serves on the Board of his Alma Mater, Munro College.
Paul Elliott
- Read More Paul is a Results Focused member of the VM Group’s Executive Leadership team, having been promoted to the Group Leadership post in January 2022. Paul, who on January 1, 2023, was appointed CEO of VM Building Society, is unwavering in his commitment to transform lives. He had assumed the role of Deputy CEO – Building Society Operations in January 2021 and before that, had a successful stint as Vice President, Sales and Service. Paul joined VM Group in July 2016 having already accumulated more than 25 years of solid experience in the financial services industry both locally and regionally. He has vital expertise in corporate and commercial lending, retail banking, mortgage lending, bank assurance, investment sales and business development. Prior to joining VM, Paul was Vice President – Head of Personal Lending at Butterfield Bank; and before that, he served the same organization as the Vice President – Retail Business Development. Paul has held leadership roles in the Rotary Club both locally and internationally and is a past President of the Rotary Club of St George, Bermuda. He holds a BSc from the University of the West Indies and an MBA from the University of London – Royal Holloway. Paul has also completed the Executive Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School.
Bruce Bowen
- Read More Bruce Bowen is the Chief Executive Officer of National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) and serves as Special Advisor to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NCB Financial Group Limited. He provided strategic leadership to all areas of the Bank, responsible for the development of the organisation such that its growth, profitability, risk management and regulatory objectives are appropriately defined and achieved.
He has a proven track record in leading large, complex financial service businesses across diverse international markets, with over 25 years with a major international financial institution in Senior Management positions across 20 different countries. He currently serves as a director on the Boards of National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited, Guardian Holdings Limited and Clarien Bank Limited. He is the Chairman of the Board for NCB Capital Markets Limited and NCB Insurance Agencies and Fund Managers Limited.
He is the Founder & Managing Director of Rock Capital Partners, a boutique financial advisory practice, Chairman of Rock Mobile, a licensed telecommunications operator in Jamaica, and Founder and Chairman of ADVANTAQ, a RegTech business supporting regional financial institutions.
Mr Bowen is the holder of a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) and has completed Executive Training Programmes in Canada and the USA. Outside of his professional endeavours, he is the cochairperson of the SickKids Caribbean Initiative charity that focuses on accessible cancer treatment for children.
Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham
- Read More Chorvelle Johnson Cunningham is the Chief Executive Officer of Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited – a subsidiary of Sagicor Group Jamaica. With over three decades of experience in the financial sector, the renowned leader joined the Sagicor team in January 2018. Chorvelle is a trailblazer in the financial services industry with an impressive track record of success at the leadership level. She is a changemaker, a team builder who is results-oriented, embraces competition and focuses on exceptional client experience. She consistently develops and maintains strategies that carefully balance risk and rewards to meet targets and objectives Throughout her career, she has held numerous senior management positions in the Financial Industry such as PROVEN Wealth Limited, PROVEN Fund Managers Limited, First Global Financial Services, Scotia-DBG and Dehring, Bunting and Golding Limited. Johnson Cunningham is a proponent of female empowerment and women shattering societal expectations. She is Jamaica’s first International Women’s Forum Fellow and served for one year between 2015 and 2016 where she studied Leadership at Harvard and INSEAD Business schools. Chorvelle is currently the Chair of the United Way of Jamaica and is also the Deputy Chair of the Womens’ Leadership Initiative (sub-committee of the United Way) membership committee. With a diverse educational background, Chorvelle currently holds the prestigious title of being a Chartered Banker MBA and is a member of the Chartered Banker Institute from Bangor University in the UK. She is also the holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Management from the Nova Southeastern University and is a trained teacher with specialization in Business Education, A proponent of healthy living, Johnson Cunningham, a vegan, in 2012 published the book ‘Simply Vegan – The Jamaican Way’, where she explores the many aspects of her lifestyle with readers. She enjoys yoga, walking, athletics, football, listening to music and experimenting with her vegan lifestyle by cooking and trying out new vegan meals. Chorvelle is married to Vaughn, with three children.
Member Institutions
