The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) tonight honoured 32 outstanding individuals for their contribution towards the growth and development of the sector. It was the occasion of the 14th Annual FSI Excellence Awards Dinner, and the 32 represented nominees in the categories of “Executive of the Year”, “Mentor of the Year”, “Professional of the Year”, “Achiever of the Year”, and “FSI Student of the Year”. It also included the previously announced Lifetime Achievement Awardee, the Mentor of the Year, and the ICON Working Group recognised for Financial Services Development & Promotion. In addition, also presented was the Minister’s Award, recognising a candidate selected by the Hon. L. Ryan Pinder. M.P., Minister of Financial Services, for outstanding support to the sustainability of the sector. And, CEO Aliya Allen announced the first ever “BFSB Appreciation Award”, going to Julius Baer Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Ltd. for support to BFSB and its development and promotional activities – historically and ongoing. The Recipients, 6 of which had been kept absolutely secret and announced academy-award style tonight, are :

**LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD**
Ian D. Fair, Chairman, Bahamas First Holdings, Butterfield Trust (Bahamas) Ltd., Bahamas International Securities Exchange

**EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR**
Ivan G.D. Hooper, TEP, FICA, CEO, The Winterbotham Trust Company Ltd.

**MENTOR OF THE YEAR**
Edward E. Virgil II, Senior Assistant Manager, Commonwealth Bank Limited

**FINANCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION**
ICON Working Group (ICON Launch)

**PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR**
Baldwin L. Rigby, TEP, Associate Director-Fiduciary Services, Scotiatrust

**ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR**
Amanda I. Smith, Associate Manager, Andbank (Bahamas) Ltd.

**STUDENT OF THE YEAR**
Tevin R. Bannister, BBA Economics & Finance

**MINISTER’S AWARD**
Michelle Neville-Clarke, Partner, Lennox Paton

**BFSB APPRECIATION AWARD**
Julius Baer Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Limited

In bringing remarks to the honourees and guests, Sen. The Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson said the government of The Bahamas recognizes that the success of The Bahamas is linked to the success of the second pillar of our economy. *“The Bahamas’ greatest asset is its people. People (human capital) are vital to the success of financial services.”* Noting the global environment where competence is assumed and even taken for granted, she pointed out that expertise, efficiency and excellence will distinguish The Bahamas in the new competitive normal. *“I am filled with national pride as I congratulate all nominees and their families tonight,”* she said.