Annual Report 2013
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Culture & Community 54 First Citizens ANNUAL REPORT 2013 BRINGING MANY TALENTS TO TOBAGO’S MISS Heritage PERSONALITY PAGEANT For the past 26 years First Citizens has sponsored the most anticipated event of the Tobago Heritage Calendar: Miss Heritage Personality Pageant. This year’s Pageant was themed Crusoe Isle Treasures – De Search Is On. It was held on Friday, 19th July at the Cyd Gray Pavilion in Roxborough. The show portrayed a rhythmic journey through time from the days of Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday, to present day Tobago. It was the outspoken and talented Raina Alleyne - Miss Carnbee/Mt. Pleasant, who emerged victorious over nine other contestants to win the title of Miss Heritage Personality. Additionally, Raina won the Miss Intelligence crown and won best Talent on the night of the show. (L-R) Mario Young – Head Retail, First Citizens; Maurisa Abraham – Miss Calder Hall and 1st Runner Up; Raina Alleyne – Miss Carnbee/Mt. Pleasant Miss Heritage Personality 2013; Chelsye Miller – Miss Les Coteaux and With all of these winning qualities, we expect the 2nd Runner Up; Andrea Tuitt – Manager Tobago Branches, First Citizens and Kurt Headley – Cluster Manager, East new Heritage queen to go far! Central and Tobago EMPOWERING THE NEXT Generation OF Calypso SUPER Stars Once again First Citizens jumped at the chance to partner with the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organization (TUCO) for the annual TUCO/ First Citizens National Junior Calypso Competition. Of the 126 young calypsonians to take part, it was Marq Pierre of the Sangre Grande Educational Institute who emerged the winner with an outstanding composition: What If We Know? Marq was awarded a First Citizens nEo account containing $25,000. Second place went to Sharissa Camejo of Scared Heart Girls’ RC, and Shervonne N’Kola of El Dorado West Secondary won third place. (L-R) Runner Up Sharissa Camejo of Scared Heart Girls’ RC poses with Competition Champion Marq Pierre of Sangre Grande Educational Institute and third place winner Shervonne N’Kola of El Dorado West Secondary 55 Supporting THE Animated Arts The Group had the opportunity to show its support at the Anime Caribe 2012, the Caribbean’s biggest and most prestigious animation festival. First Citizens seized the opportunity to showcase products and services to hundreds of secondary and tertiary level students who visited the festival at the University of Trinidad & Tobago. Ayanna Solozano – Communications Assistant, First Citizens shares some of the benefits of the nEo Account with a student ADDING TO THE Beat OF THE DOMINICA WORLD CREOLE MUSIC Festival For the third consecutive year, First Citizens Investment Services, St. Lucia was honoured to sponsor Dominica World Creole Music Festival. Themed Sweet Sixteen, the festival was held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium. The Festival featured some of the premier international Creole music bands, such as WCK, Zouk Machine, Luc Leandry and Ophelia, while continuing to provide a stage to showcase local Dominican talent to regional and international audiences. Carole Eleuthere-JnMarie, Regional Manager – First Citizens Investment Services, presents a gift to a winner at the Dominica World Creole Music Festival 56 First Citizens ANNUAL REPORT 2013 A Celebration OF ENLIGHTENMENT Every year the Nagar draws hundreds of people to witness the beautiful lights and culture of Divali. Since 2007 First Citizens has played a pivotal role in keeping the iconic Divali Nagar Festival alight. First Citizens operated an offsite branch at the Nagar, offering its patrons a range of banking services. With chances to win prizes and giveaways nightly, the branch was seldom free of visitors. Larry Nath – Group Chief Executive Officer (R) and his wife applaud during the opening show at the Divali Nagar Festival Breathing NEW LIFE INTO CLASSICAL MUSIC If you think young people today have little appreciation for classical music, think again! In recognizing the importance of classical music in the education of children, First Citizens Asset Management joined with The Classical Music Development Foundation of Trinidad & Tobago (CMDFTT) to support their initiatives. Recently, the CMDFTT staged two repertoires: Dido and Aeneas and The Magic Flute. This was not only to promote classical music, but also to nurture excellence in present and future generations of classical artistes. The keen public response and youth interest showed the power and inspiration the classical arts have over the younger generations. Talented performers give it their all during a scene from The Magic Flute 57 THE FUSION OF PAN First Citizens was once again honored to be the title sponsor of the Crop Over Pan Fusion, held at Llaro Court, home of Barbados’ Prime Minister. The event featured Barbadian pan player extraordinaire, Andre Forde, and Pan Maestro, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, along with many others. This is just one of the many cultural initiatives First Citizens supports as we remain committed to celebrating the culture of our region. Legendary pannist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe shows off his talents at the Crop Over Pan Fusion (L-R) The Honourable Stephen Lashley – Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth (Barbados); Len “Boogsie” Sharpe – Legendary Pannist; Maureen Graham – Chairman of the National Cultural Foundation; the Honourable Dr. Lincoln Douglas – Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism; Elizabeth Morgan – Country Manager, First Citizens Investment Services; The Honourable Freundel Stuart, QCMP – Prime Minister of Barbados; Glyne Harrison – Acting CEO, First Citizens Bank Barbados and Dexter Charles – Manager, First Citizens Group Corporate Communications 58 First Citizens ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Youth & Education 59 SCRABBLE GOES WILD! The 18th Annual First Citizens Scrabble Tournament took a turn for the wild this year as students were challenged in many fun activities at the ultimate wild life Jurassic Park. Students proved they were up to every obstacle. They demonstrated their vocabulary prowess in competitions that were attended by over 150 students. San Fernando TML Primary School emerged winners, and was crowned the 2013 Scrabble Champs, while their star player, Sophia Mohammed, was named the top individual winner. Sophia is a wordsmith to watch! Jenelle Holloway, Product Manager – Marketing Department is flanked by the top three scrabble champions. (L) Tairah Seedial and Sophia Mohammed of San Fernando TML Primary and Elijah Lochan of Bryn Mawr School MENTORING MUSICAL MINDS First Citizens once again served as the exclusive sponsor of the Student Development Workshops held as part of the QRC Foundation’s Pan/Jazz Festival. Workshops gave students a chance to learn from accomplished musicians while developing their own skills and musical talents. The musical workshops were held in Bon Air, San Fernando, Sangre Grande and Port of Spain. For the first time the Foundation held a closing concert that saw all participating schools give award-winning performances. Students of attending the Sangre Grande workshop concentrate at the practice during the training sessions 60 First Citizens ANNUAL REPORT 2013 PROVIDING FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR A MORE Stable FUTURE Throughout November 2012 First Citizens Investment Services St. Lucia hosted a number of presentations around the island aimed at giving people a better understanding of how to manage their money and put it to work for them. Presentations were centred round the topic Managing Your Finances With VAT and were given by highly qualified FCIS staff members and representatives from the St. Lucia VAT office. The VAT Seminar was very well attended Laying THE Foundation FOR FINANCIAL WISDOM In May First Citizens Investment Services St. Lucia launched a seminar targeting young people between the ages of 18 to 30 to educate them on financial planning for the future. Held at the Bay Gardens Hotel, the seminar was themed You Are Never Too Young To… and was well attended. Speakers included Teige La Borde of Azuk Creative Services, Ted Sandiford of Acid Kreationz, First Citizens Client Relations Officer Denise Lewis, and First Citizens Business Development Officer Christine Charlemagne. Participants showed a keen interest, which just goes to show that the younger generation is determined to ensure a financially stable future. A cross-section of the many young people who attended the seminar 61 ENRICHING Tertiary Education: OUR Partnership WITH Cave HILL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS In April First Citizens Group partnered with the Cave Hill School of Business in Barbados to officially open what is now the ‘First Citizens Room’ at the faculty. In a collaborative agreement signed between First Citizens and the School, the Group’s human resources will participate in managerial development programmes customized by the Business Faculty of Cave Hill, designed to enhance the skills of our staff. First Citizens will also provide scholarships to four deserving students. Sharon Christopher, Deputy CEO – First Citizens Group, addresses invited guests while Dr. Jeannine Comma looks on A FRUITFUL LESSON Building on our successful Fruits of Trinidad & Tobago and Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of Trinidad & Tobago posters developed by Nasser Khan, First Citizens Investment Services Limited St. Vincent & the Grenadines launched a poster series Fruits of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Vegetables, Root Crops and Herbs of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The posters were also developed by Nasser Khan and were endorsed by the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Ministry of Education. Students from various schools pose with the Honourable Girlyn Miguel – Minister of Education and Norlann Gabriel, Manager – FCIS St. Vincent & the Grenadines 62 First Citizens ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MAKING FINANCE FUN! First Citizens hosted its 5th Annual Finance Camp during the month of July. Formerly known as Money Camp, the programme is designed for students between the ages of 13-18 and is built on three fundamental pillars: budgeting, saving and managing your credit. Students were taught through a series of workshops and presentations by a number of guest speakers and celebrities, which included Olympic Gold medalist Keshorn Walcott, national sailing sensation Andrew Lewis, and local soca and media personality Jason Williams.