**PAUL J.I. MCWEENEY
Executive of the Year 2006**
The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) announced the winners of its 2006 FSI Industry Excellence Awards at its annual banquet on Saturday, October 21. Capturing the **”Executive of the Year”** award was Mr. Paul McWeeney, Managing Director of the Bank of the Bahamas International.
A 25-year veteran of the banking industry with experience in international markets and in his native Bahamas, Mr. McWeeney became the youngest Managing Director of a Clearing Bank in The Bahamas when he was named to that post at Bank of The Bahamas in 2000 at the age of 39. In the nearly six years since, he has guided the Bank to a dramatic increase in profitability and made it a leader in the provision of financial services for Bahamians.
His financial services career began in 1981 with Chase Manhattan Bank N.A., where he rose to the post of Second Vice President following postings in several international branches. He joined Bank of The Bahamas, still in its infancy, as Senior Credit Manager in 1993, and was promoted to Deputy Managing Director in 1996. Four years later, he became Managing Director.
Under his direction, the BOBI has enjoyed phenomenal growth, setting records and establishing a number of firsts. Assets have climbed steadily from $279 million to nearly $600 million. In two share offerings, one preferred, one common, he broadened ownership and helped raise capital to sustain growth.
Mr. McWeeney serves as Chairman of the Clearing Banks Association and President of the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services. He is also Chairman of the National Payments Council, a member of the Government’s Financial Services Consultative Forum, the Blue Ribbon Commission on National Health Insurance, the Steering Committee on Government’s Online Initiative, and the Business Improvement District Committee.
Civic Positions include the chairmanship of St. Augustine’s College and membership in the Young President’s Organisation. He also serves as Honorary Consul of the Dominican Republic, Diplomatic Corps.
His vision has won international recognition for the bank – and for The Bahamas. In 2005, Bank of The Bahamas became the first bank in this country’s history to win the prestigious Bracken Award, presented by The Banker, a member of the Financial Times Group. In 2006, Bank of The Bahamas became the first Bahamian bank to win a similar country bank of the year award presented by Euromoney magazine. Also this year, Paul McWeeney was named Banker of the Year by Jones Communication and the Toastmasters Club 1600.
**Bank of the Bahamas International** received a special **Development & Promotion Award**, in recognition of having *”advanced financial services for individuals and for institutions”* and *”having brought prestigious honour to The Bahamas financial services sector.”*
Other winners included:
• Lisa Gibson, Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited: **Professional of the Year**
• Germaine Simmons-Dean, UBS (Bahamas) Limited: **Achiever of the Year**
• Aisha Johnson, Credit Suisse Bahamas: **FSI Student of the Year**
The annual awards programme serves to profile outstanding performers – role models – within the financial services industry.