Financial services firms in the Virgin Islands have set their sights on the Latin American market with a major push into the region. As part of that effort, the territory …
Watchdog takes aim at company-register plans
A United Kingdom transparency watchdog has warned that the Virgin Islands’ plan for a restricted beneficial-ownership register could endanger journalists and others who investigate financial crimes — but VI government …
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‘Father of financial services’ dies at 73
Robert Mathavious, the first managing director and CEO of the Financial Services Commission, died on Sunday, Sept. 14. He was 73 years old. Sometimes dubbed the “father of financial services” …
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Lady Hodge urged not to snub media
United Kingdom Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Margaret Hodge has been urged not to shun the media during a high-profile visit to the Virgin Islands in the coming days. Lady Hodge is …
VI firms feel pinch as Trump tariffs bite
The global tariff trade war unleashed by United States President Donald Trump has significantly impacted nearly a fifth of Virgin Islands companies that responded to a recent survey conducted by …
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Cybersecurity tackled at telecom meeting
Cybersecurity, regulatory advances and artificial intelligence were among the key topics on the agenda during a major regional meeting attended by Virgin Islands telecommunications regulators. Held July 13-16 in Nassau, …
Walwyn takes aim at government
A long-delayed no-confidence motion against Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s administration was finally launched by the opposition Tuesday night as government members were urged to abandon their leader and vote with …
Anti-crime czar to visit from UK
Britain’s official “anti-corruption champion” will soon visit the Virgin Islands on what London called a “fact-finding” mission, but Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the move does not amount to a …
Incorporations rebound in 2024
Company incorporations rebounded last year from a 25-year low recorded in 2023, recent figures show. Altogether, 27,362 companies were formed in the Virgin Islands in 2024, up nearly 23 percent …
VIDIC chief’s exit not linked to bank saga, premier says
The sudden exit of the Virgin Islands Deposit Insurance Corporation’s CEO last month was unrelated to the regulator’s action against the Bank of Asia on May 26, according to Premier …
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Bank of Asia red flags went back years before $5m gov’t deposit
For more than two years before the government deposited $5 million of public money into the Bank of Asia this year, regulators had been raising red flags about the institution …
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MPs blast VI company register plans, but Smith fires back
In a scathing attack on the Virgin Islands, two British politicians have called for London to take charge of implementing the territory’s new company ownership register to speed progress and …
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EDITORIAL: Gov’t must explain $5m Bank of Asia deposit
We were shocked to hear Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn claim convincingly last week that the government deposited more than $5 million in Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited at a time …
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Walwyn slams premier over $5m Bank of Asia deposit
Government officials should have known that Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited was failing when they deposited more than $5 million of taxpayer money in it earlier this year, Opposition Leader …
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Who’s in charge at VIDIC?
For a week, officials have not responded to a news report that raised questions about the leadership of the public agency overseeing the winding down of Bank of Asia (BVI) …
Gov’t had $5m in Bank of Asia
Five days after financial regulators’ surprise announcement that they are winding down the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley dropped another bombshell on Tuesday in the House …
UK review could tip VI onto ‘grey list,’ expert says
Britain’s recent inquiry into the Virgin Islands’ law-enforcement agencies could tip the scales when global financial watchdogs consider whether to sanction the territory next month, according to a leading expert. …
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New strategy to guide money-crime fight
More reforms to combat money crime are on the way as the Virgin Islands works to avoid censure from international financial watchdogs. With a crunch meeting of the Paris-based Financial …
Minimum wage to go up after delay
The lowest paid workers in the Virgin Islands will belatedly get a wage boost after a high-profile salary increase was snatched from them shortly before Christmas. But instead of the …
HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped
A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …
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A sampling of security suggestions
The second volume of the law enforcement review is extensive. It examines nine public-sector bodies and seven other public service organisations in their roles connected to the criminal justice system. …
EDITORIAL: Online law portal a long time coming
To follow the laws of the land, you must be able to access and understand them. And here in the Virgin Islands, that has been far too difficult for far …
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Money-crime reforms to expand cops’ powers
Police surveillance powers are set to expand under one of three bills the House of Assembly passed Friday as part of ongoing efforts to comply with international anti-money-crime standards. The …
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West End port bids dwarf budget
After more than 15 years of broken promises and false starts, the future of the long-delayed West End ferry terminal has been thrown into serious doubt once again after private-sector …
As UK MPs push for fully public register, FSC boss warns against it
British parliamentarians are urging Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley to allow unrestricted public access to the company-ownership register set to launch by June, but the territory’s top financial regulator warned this …
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