Next two years 'great time' for capital raising
Next two years 'great time' for capital raising By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The next two years will be "a great time" for Bahamas-based companies to seek equity or debt capital, a leading investment banker yesterday urging the $35 million s
The art of leadership
The art of leadership By Ian Ferguson As we prepare ourselves as a nation to select our political leaders for another term in office, the Chamber Voice begins a series on Leadership. Leadership is probably best defined as the ability a person has to bui
Mortgage Corp loan provisions $71m off norm
Mortgage Corp loan provisions $71m off norm By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation's (BMC) existing policy underestimates loan loss provisioning by more than $71 million, it was disclosed yesterday, its chairman unveil
'Missing link' to grow BORCO revenue $20m
'Missing link' to grow BORCO revenue $20m By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Oil Refining Company's (BORCO) revenues could increase by up to $20 million per annum due to its owner creating "a critical link" between its Bahamian and US
Operators 'very concerned' over URCA's budget
Operators 'very concerned' over URCA's budget By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The two major industry players are "extremely concerned" with the communications regulator's proposed 2012 budget, warning that financing this through a licence fee i
Next two years 'great time' for capital raising
Next two years 'great time' for capital raising By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The next two years will be "a great time" for Bahamas-based companies to seek equity or debt capital, a leading investment banker yesterday urging the $35 million s
The art of leadership
The art of leadership By Ian Ferguson As we prepare ourselves as a nation to select our political leaders for another term in office, the Chamber Voice begins a series on Leadership. Leadership is probably best defined as the ability a person has to bui
Mortgage Corp loan provisions $71m off norm
Mortgage Corp loan provisions $71m off norm By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation's (BMC) existing policy underestimates loan loss provisioning by more than $71 million, it was disclosed yesterday, its chairman unveil
'Missing link' to grow BORCO revenue $20m
'Missing link' to grow BORCO revenue $20m By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Oil Refining Company's (BORCO) revenues could increase by up to $20 million per annum due to its owner creating "a critical link" between its Bahamian and US
Operators 'very concerned' over URCA's budget
Operators 'very concerned' over URCA's budget By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The two major industry players are "extremely concerned" with the communications regulator's proposed 2012 budget, warning that financing this through a licence fee i
BTC to 'exceed' $60- $80m earnings goal
BTC to 'exceed' $60- $80m earnings goal By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will beat its $60-$80 million operating income projections for 2012 after generating cost savings faster than anticipated, alth
Kerzner's $65m capital upgrades in debt talk delay
Kerzner's $65m capital upgrades in debt talk delay By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Kerzner International (Bahamas) chief yesterday acknowledged that finalising this year's $65 million capital investment plan for its Paradise Island resorts is b
Small Business Agency to avoid Mortgage Corp lending pitfalls
Small Business Agency to avoid Mortgage Corp lending pitfalls By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The proposed Agency to facilitate small and medium-sized business growth in the Bahamas is designed to avoid the pitfalls being experienced by the Bah
US act to 'flip the model' for Bahamas
US act to 'flip the model' for Bahamas By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The impending US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) will create a level playing field that might "flip the model" for many Bahamian financial institutions' attitudes
2,000 homeowners 'non-performing'
2,000 homeowners 'non-performing' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An estimated 1,500-2,000 Bahamian homes have mortgage loans that are more than 90 days past due, the Clearing Banks Association (CBA) told Tribune Business yesterday, with the se
SHIPYARD IN $50K REWARD OVER THEFTS
The Grand Bahama Shipyard is appealing for the public's help - and offering a $50,000 reward - to recover three propeller cones that each weigh more than 1,000 pounds, warning that their theft will prevent the company from completing repair work on incomi
Mortgage Corp's woes 'not good' for 70% of contractors'
Mortgage Corp's woes 'not good' for 70% of contractors' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation's (BMC) 'going concern' woes are "not good news" for 70 per cent of Bahamian contractors who rely almost solely on the resi
Aviation industry 'not given its due'
Aviation industry 'not given its due' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Developing a Bahamian aircraft registry could ultimately lead to spin-offs such as a "maintenance facility equivalent in size to Miami", an attorney yesterday urging: "Now is
BANK IS FACING 50,000 ACCOUNT PROBE ON FATCA
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Commonwealth Bank yesterday said it was facing the prospect of 'drilling down' into an estimated 50,000 client accounts to determine if there was any US beneficial ownership connection, while telling Tribune Busin
Bermuda learns from Arawak Port project
Arawak Port Development Company (APD) executives recently hosted Bermuda government officials on a tour of the $83 million Nassau Container Port and Gladstone Freight Terminal. Marc A.R. Bean, Bermuda's minister of environment, planning and infrastruct
$500M REVENUE RISE NO FISCAL GAP BRIDGE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Government's annual fiscal deficit averaged more than $170 million during the 2002-2008 'economic boom' years despite an almost $500 million rise in revenues over that period, showing that reining in out-of-co
Realtor adds new staffers
Mario Carey Realty and its MCR2 affiliate are expanding their staff complement through the hiring of a marketing manager and another broker/appraiser. "We're very pleased to announce the appointment of Terrinique 'Terri' Pennerman as marketing manager," s
CREDIT BUREAU TO CURB 'FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamian commercial banks are looking towards the creation of a credit bureau to help curb "financial irresponsibility" in society, believing it could deter mortgage borrowers from defaulting on their home loans i
Despite 42% productivity rise, BTC off on 'efficiency'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Despite beating many countries via a 42 per cent improvement in a key productivity benchmark between 2006-2009, the sector regulator last night suggested the Bahamas Telecommunications Company's (BTC) 2010 account
ENJOYMENT REMAINS PASSPORT TO SUCCESS
By Simon Cooper Res Socius Choose to do what you enjoy. This is a strange notion, although I often get round to discussing it with clients. In fact, it might surprise you to know how many square-pegs in round-holes there are out there in Nassau. I'm talk
Royal Bank takes top wealth management honours in Caribbean
Royal Bank of Canada's (RBC) regional wealth management arm has been recognised for providing the best private banking services in the Caribbean by Euromoney, a global banking publication. RBC, which markets itself as the sixth largest wealth manager in t
BUILDING TALENT POOL OF LEADERS
By Ian Ferguson For some time there has been a great debate to determine whether leaders are born or made. Some argue that we have all been touched with some innate ability to lead. Others still purport that leadership is a skill acquired by the delibera
Police probe like 'sword of Damocles'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) investigation is "hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles", developers of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project have told Tribune Business, arguing that severa
'WHAT'S CHANGED' ON BAHAMASAIR GB AIRLIFT PLANS?
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The head of a Bahamian privately-owned airline has expressed scepticism over plans to solve Grand Bahama's tourism woes via Bahamasair servicing five US markets, asking Tribune Business: "What's changed?" Acknowle
$40M 'CIVIL WAR' RAGES IN PARADISE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A full-scale civil war is raging between the developers and numerous residents of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project, Tribune Business can reveal, the latter alleging there are difficulties with obtaini
BUILDING TALENT POOL OF LEADERS
By Ian Ferguson For some time there has been a great debate to determine whether leaders are born or made. Some argue that we have all been touched with some innate ability to lead. Others still purport that leadership is a skill acquired by the delibera
Police probe like 'sword of Damocles'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) investigation is "hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles", developers of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project have told Tribune Business, arguing that severa
'WHAT'S CHANGED' ON BAHAMASAIR GB AIRLIFT PLANS?
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The head of a Bahamian privately-owned airline has expressed scepticism over plans to solve Grand Bahama's tourism woes via Bahamasair servicing five US markets, asking Tribune Business: "What's changed?" Acknowle
$40M 'CIVIL WAR' RAGES IN PARADISE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A full-scale civil war is raging between the developers and numerous residents of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project, Tribune Business can reveal, the latter alleging there are difficulties with obtaini
BUILDING TALENT POOL OF LEADERS
By Ian Ferguson For some time there has been a great debate to determine whether leaders are born or made. Some argue that we have all been touched with some innate ability to lead. Others still purport that leadership is a skill acquired by the delibera
Police probe like 'sword of Damocles'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) investigation is "hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles", developers of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project have told Tribune Business, arguing that severa
$40M 'CIVIL WAR' RAGES IN PARADISE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A full-scale civil war is raging between the developers and numerous residents of a $40 million Exuma-based real estate project, Tribune Business can reveal, the latter alleging there are difficulties with obtaini
'WHAT'S CHANGED' ON BAHAMASAIR GB AIRLIFT PLANS?
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The head of a Bahamian privately-owned airline has expressed scepticism over plans to solve Grand Bahama's tourism woes via Bahamasair servicing five US markets, asking Tribune Business: "What's changed?" Acknowle
$20-$30M INVESTMENT AT LAST HOTEL CORP HOTEL
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An Illinois-based investor is eyeing a $20-$30 million investment during the first two phases of its plans to transform the last Hotel Corporation-owned property into an upscale boutique resort, with talks aiming
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH IMMIGRATION REALITIES
By Larry Gibson The recent visit by President Martelly of Haiti, and comments he made to a gathering mostly of Haitian nationals and Bahamians of Haitian origin, continue to provoke much highly-charged discussion. No matter where you fall on the immigrat
Bahamas sees 'phenomenal' 11% airlift rise
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas saw a "phenomenal" 11 per cent increase in airlift capacity year-over-year for February 2012, the minister of tourism and aviation yesterday saying this trend reflected "growing visitor demand" and was
Baha Mar casino hotel at '20 storeys' by year-end
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The casino hotel for the $2.6 billion Baha Mar project could "be as high as 20 storeys" by year-end, Tribune Business was told yesterday, with work on the core "superstructure" 50 per cent complete by that point.
KFC forces unions to put 'house in order'
KFC forces unions to put 'house in order' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise's decision to cancel voluntary recognition of the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) will have "far reac
Bahamasair reduces staff 12% in 5 years
Bahamasair reduces staff 12% in 5 years By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamasair has reduced staff levels through "natural attrition" by more than 12 per cent over the past five years, Tribune Business was told yesterday, while improving its
Mayaguana deal 'tremendous coup' for government
Mayaguana deal 'tremendous coup' for government By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Hotel Corporation's chairman has described the revised Heads of Agreement for the I-Group's Mayaguana development as "a tremendous political coup" for the Ingra
Bahamas faces more financial consolidation
Bahamas faces more financial consolidation By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor With 40 per cent of Swiss private banks eyeing foreign acquisition targets, a leading accountant yesterday predicted further consolidation in the Bahamian financial serv
Cable blasts 'unfair advantage' for BTC
Cable blasts 'unfair advantage' for BTC By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Cable Bahamas has blasted the proposed licensing plan for a key wireless spectrum band for giving an "unfair advantage" to the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), urg
STOP 'DABBLING' IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Rising oil prices could dampen the pace of Bahamian economic recovery, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) warned yesterday, emphasising the need for this nation to have "a true,
$150M TRUST URGED TO RESCUE HOUSING MARKET
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Government was yesterday urged to invest $100-$150 million into a Foreclosure Trust as a way to solve this nation's mortgage/housing crisis, a well-known businessman telling Tribune Business that the returns g
GB airlift solution 'not instant coffee'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Contracting Bahamasair to solve Grand Bahama's airlift woes "will not be instant coffee", the minister of tourism and aviation conceded yesterday, adding that his ministry's plans were merely "rebuilding the infra
