EXECUTIVE FOCUS

now He also gives me and my executive team the freedom to weigh, assess and analyse his ideas and translate them within a banking framework so that they make sense for the bank ”

Morton recently replaced Chalopin as CEO so he could devote more time to the broader vision and strategy for the group ’ s development. Chalopin, the architect of the modern Deltec, has spearheaded the group ’ s recent expansion into new and emerging businesses, including digital asset financial ser vices, merchant banking and insurance, and is the driver of the group ’ s technology roadmap.

Technology first

Deltec is evolving into a Fintech friendly bank whose spirit of innovation is grounded by sound principles of risk management, client ser vice and a belief in people as one of its strongest assets Morton says it is the focus on technology in particular that helps them stand apart and stay ahead of trends

“We are squarely entrenched in a digital age and in order to meet the needs of multiple generations and geographies represented among our client base, we have to make sure that our tools and processes are driven by technologies that mimic the ‘mobile-first’ efficiencies that our clients are accustomed to in their everyday lives As an organization, agility is key for us as we evolve,” she explains.

“ The financial ser vices sector is also facing a rapidly changing regulator y environment. Deltec has responded with a heavy investment in regtech platforms We are also investing capital to ensure that we give full consideration to the place that disruptive AI and other technologies have in enhancing AMLrelated risk management, governance and controls, and client experience.”

Committed to The Bahamas

Deltec has been headquartered in The Bahamas since 1959 and Morton says there are no plans to move.

“We are committed to The Bahamas

We are here to stay We’re a private bank breaking with convention in that we want to build our headquarters here and develop our talent pool locally,” she says

At the Deltec Annual Conference held in Nassau in March, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest pledged the government ’ s focus to ensure the jurisdiction can support the more technological advances that are required for ongoing financial ser vices success.

“For us, this is not a choice; this is an imperative We are an international financial ser vices centre and Fintech is one of the fastest growing and innovating industries,” he said

Morton is optimistic. “ There truly is no alternative. We must embrace the rapidly changing landscape and position ourselves as a jurisdiction to capitalize on this evolution.”

Deltec’s commitment to The Bahamas spills out of the boardroom and into the community. Its corporate social responsibility programme, directed through the Deltec Initiatives Foundation, was designed to foster an environment that empowers young Bahamians to drive positive social impact through the power of arts, entrepreneurship and education.