**Crestwell Gardiner
Fidelity Group of Companies{B*}

Crestwell Gardiner, Vice President-Lending of Fidelity Group of Companies, has been employed in the Financial Services Industry for the past twenty-one years. He started his banking career at Commonwealth Bank in 1985 as a Collection Officer and held many progressive positions including Credit Officer, Collection Supervisor, Assistant Manager – Credit and Collection, Risk Manager and Assistant Vice President – Risk Management before joining Fidelity Group of Companies.

Mr. Gardiner was nominated for the **Professional of the Year** award by the Executive Committee at Fidelity. The Executive paid tribute to him for having being responsible for the initiation of many innovative projects and products that add value. Specifically, the zero-interest down payment on the property loan was his brainchild; there has been a marked improvement in the quality of loan applications and the relationship banking culture under his guidance; the asset base has grown under his leadership; and also notable was his lending thrust to the uniformed branches (Police, Prison and Defence Force) in savings and debt consolidation. *”He can be described as a visionary, who saw what it took to turn the company around. He is candid in his discussions about business practices.”*

Crestwell Gardiner’s personal philosophy has been defined as very simple. He maintains that one’s performance is largely driven by the quality of one’s training, by the extent of one’s personal effort, and one’s ability to recognise and nurture one’s God given purpose. He is passionate about improved performance and driven to make himself, and those around him, better bankers. He has a lifelong commitment to growth and personal development. He has completed an intermediate Spanish class through the Language Institute and is presently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner designation.

He is a “Fellow” of the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services and an “Associate” of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (London). He is also a Member and Treasurer of Rotary Club – Nassau Sunrise and a Member of the Bahamas Shotokan Karate Club that teaches karate and self-discipline to special needs children. He serves on various committees within Fidelity Group of Companies.

Other winners of this year’s Awards include:

• **Paul J. Winder**, Ansbacher (Bahamas) Ltd: Executive of the Year

• **Francelyn Bethel**, Oceanic Bank & Trust: Achiever of the Year

• **Association of International Banks and Trust Companies**: Financial Services Development & Promotion Award

• **Christine Leo**, PricewaterhouseCoopers: Financial Services Student of the Year

* Photo shows Mr. Gardiner accepting his award from the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Minister of Financial Services and Investments. Also pictured (left to right) are Bruno Roberts, BFSB Chairman; Sheila Carey, Permanent Secretary of the MFSI; and Wendy Warren, BFSB CEO & Executive Director.*