The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) recently launched the process to recognise an outstanding 2007 Graduate from within the School of Business, College of the Bahamas. The criterion for initial selection was based on academic performance as demonstrated by GPA. Additional criteria included COB and community involvement, special interests, further education, and work/other experience.

This initiative has been a joint venture of BFSB, the College of the Bahamas, and the Central Bank of the Bahamas since 2002, with the Co-ordinating and Selection Committees comprising representatives from the three sponsoring agencies plus the Professional Industry Association Working Group (PIAWG) – a representative body for the various FSI associations here in The Bahamas.

The **Financial Services Student Award** programme is an integral component of BFSB’s ongoing **Financial Centre Focus (FCF),** an initiative 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.

The finalists will be revealed within the next few weeks, with the “Student of the Year” announced at BFSB’s Annual FSI Excellence Awards Banquet in October.

*Photo caption: Pictured are some members of the 2007 FSI Student Award Selection Committee in advance of the interviews with candidates, the final step in the selection process. Left to right (seated) are Anastacia Johnson, Association of International Banks & Trust Companies; Cyprianna Bethel, Central Bank of the Bahamas. Left to right (standing) are Richard Adderley, Insurance Institute of the Bahamas; Joan Pinder, former Chair-School of Business, College of the Bahamas; and Steve Davis, Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers. Not pictured are: Karen Lockhart, College of the Bahamas; Sherika Brown, Bahamas Association of Securities Dealers; and Tanya Hanna, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.*