The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

UNDER the theme “Money, Man and Me,” Fidelity Bank will be hosting its Women Only 2014 Seminar at the Melia Nassau Resort, formerly known as the Sheraton.

This Saturday, beginning at 10am, the free seminar aims to give Bahamian women sound, practical, financial advice and the tools they would need to achieve success in managing their money. The seminar features presentations as well as a panel of experts who will answer questions.

Larissa Sawyer, who does marketing and PR for the Fidelity Group of Companies, said now is a better time than ever to host the event as people are trying to get their finances in order for the earlier part of the year, as well as recover from the strain of the holidays.

“In 2012 at our “Simplify Your Life” themed seminar, we were filled to capacity and it turned out well. With “Money Man and Me,” what we are doing is responding to the three things we think women are most concerned about. When we asked around it came down to money, their relationships and themselves,” said Ms Sawyer.

The topics that fall under “Money” will be ‘do the big bad banks care about women?’ ‘don’t let them get your money,’ ‘the dangers and benefits of debt’ and ‘the ZAP of VAT and the credit bureau.’

When it comes to the “Man” segment, attendees will learn and discuss topics such as ‘with him or without him,’ ‘to be or not to be married,’ ‘what happened when he leaves or dies,’ ‘companionship and purpose without a man’ and ‘how to avoid being old, lonely and broke.’

For those interested in finding out more about themselves, this is where the “Me” portion of the seminar comes in. Topics include: How to advance your career (using your mind and not your body); predictions for the future; the three seasons of a woman’s life; tips for good mothering; how to produce a saint (and not a criminal); the challenges of being mommy, daddy and the sole provider, and many more.

“We wanted a theme that was completely relatable and we felt as if those three “Money, Man and Me” focuses are definitely key areas that women tend to centre on, not really all the time, but especially during a very reflective time which is the beginning of the year,” said Kimberley Miller, Manager of marketing and public relations for the Fidelity Group of Companies.

After the seminar is over and done, Ms Miller said women will walk away with answers to all of the questions that they will have.

“Any area that is a grey area for them that they are not clear on about their finances, is going to answered at the seminar,” she said.

She said any direction that they need to get on that next level of financial savings, can be answered at the seminar.

“One of the things that we will highlight at the seminar is “the balancing of their family life.”

They are going to walk away with solutions to these topics and questions.

What we are doing at this event as well is officially launching the Fidelity Financial Help Centre, where we will be offering after hours and weekend appointments for women who want to come in and get financial advice.

This is for non customers as well,” said Ms Miller.

Ms Miller said the biggest feedback they are looking forward to at the seminar is the numbers that will be in attendance this Saturday.

“Once we see that the attendance is high, and so far we have pretty strong numbers (in registrations), then it is satisfying to us that people are out there looking for solutions. We are also looking forward to seeing the level of participation at the event,” said Ms Miller.

While this is a forum for the public to connect with Fidelity Bank, Ms Miller said the company is not limited to just a once a year woman’s focus event.

She said Fidelity Bank is open for anyone that has any questions about finances, male or female.

“You don’t necessarily have to be in good standing financially to come and talk to the bank, and that is the focus that Fidelity wants to represent and we want to make that very clear to the public,” said Ms Miller.

The seminar will also be held in Grand Bahama at the Grand Lucayan Bahamas Resort on Saturday, February 8.