**Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson
Minister of Financial Services and Investments**

Wendy C. Warren, CEO & Executive Director, said that the Bahamas Financial Services is very pleased that the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson will again present a special award as part of the upcoming Financial Services Industry Excellence Awards being hosted by BFSB.

Last year, the Minister’s Award went to Mrs. Pauline H.A. Creary-Lightbourn, General Manager of Banque SCS Alliance (Nassau) Ltd., in recognition of her performance in several disciplines within the sector. Specifically acknowledged was her broad experience in the securities and custodial arena, and in the trust field with knowledge of trust and company law, accounting, investment and international and private banking procedures, including a number of years of pure concentration in compliance and money laundering procedures and matters.

*”I was very humbled by the fact that I was even considered for such a prestigious award and even more honored as a recipient of the award. Having worked in the industry for many years, the award served as another motivating factor to strive for excellence,”* Mrs. Creary-Lightbourn said when speaking to BFSB this week about the upcoming Awards Ceremony. She added, * “In addition, I was further encouraged by the fact that in some way even the least visible of Professionals in the Financial Sector such as myself can be recognized as a contributor to the overall success of The Bahamas in the Financial Arena.”*

In presenting the 2003 Award, Minister Maynard-Gibson paid tribute to the professional, noting that she effectively demonstrates how Bahamians can reach the highest ranks in private banking and financial services. Attributes such as intelligence, orientation to hard work, and the right attitude all pave the way to such success, the Minister said.

The award was introduced in 2002, when Mr. Ian D. Fair, Founding Chairman of BFSB, was selected as the recipient for the first-ever “Minister’s Award” created by the Ministry of Financial Services and Investments to recognise stellar performance within the industry.

On the occasion of presenting the initial Award, Minister Maynard-Gibson paid tribute to Mr. Fair for over 30 years of outstanding contribution to the financial services industry in The Bahamas.

BFSB also spoke to Mr. Fair this week. He said, *“It was a great honour to be the first recipient of the Minister’s Award. Recognition by the Minister responsible for our industry at the public policy level meant a great deal to me personally. It has been very stimulating to have contributed to the development of our industry, which has also helped the country to grow. I look forward to further involvement in the future.”*

The 2004 Industry Excellence Awards Banquet will be held on October 16 at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort.