As the House of Assembly began its public debate on the 2026 budget yesterday afternoon, members from opposite sides of the aisle painted starkly different pictures of the current state …
December 17, 2025
December 4, 2025
Premier calls UK summit a success
A top-level London summit of the leaders of the United Kingdom’s overseas territories and the British government was hailed a big success by Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The annual Joint …
December 1, 2025
Gov’t touts ‘grey list’ progress, but expert says VI has a long way to go
A recent report has found that the Virgin Islands has made “significant” headway in addressing the technical deficiencies that helped land the territory on the Financial Action Task Force’s so-called …
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October 2, 2025
VI urged to shed ‘bad money’ rep
The Virgin Islands must boost transparency and “clean up” its reputation for attracting “bad money” if it wants to grow its financial services sector, British Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Margaret Hodge …
September 22, 2025
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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September 19, 2025
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 …
June 28, 2025
Grey-listing ‘not a setback,’ Smith claims
The government has scrambled to put a brave face on the news that the Virgin Islands was recently placed on a “grey list” of jurisdictions subject to increased scrutiny by …
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June 6, 2025
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 …
May 26, 2025
Speaker takes podium at UK conference
Speaker of the House Corine George-Massicote delivered a keynote address and attended a special audience with King Charles III last week during a London conference for parliamentary speakers from United …
May 12, 2025
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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March 18, 2025
Opportunity seen in Trump turmoil
United States President Donald Trump’s erratic handling of the US economy has drawn concern here and abroad, but some business leaders believe it could mean opportunity for the Virgin Islands’ …
February 14, 2025
Premier hits back at UK critics
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has hit back against claims that he says unfairly portray the Virgin Islands as a “rogue state” when it comes to fighting financial crime. Mr. Wheatley …
February 7, 2025
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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November 15, 2024
New incorporations spiked in Q2
The number of new companies incorporated in the Virgin Islands rose sharply in the second quarter of 2024, according to figures released recently by the Financial Services Commission. The tally …
October 15, 2024
Virgin Islands represented at major PAHO meeting
Climate change, epidemic-warning systems, pooled procurement, tobacco control and chronic diseases were on the agenda last week when Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley led a Virgin Islands delegation …
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September 19, 2024
Financial services reforms continue
The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …
September 12, 2024
Reform target just missed before talks in London
A last-minute rush brought more progress on the Commission of Inquiry reforms last week, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he fell one short of his push to complete …
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September 4, 2024
12 bills laid days before COI deadline
Two days before the missed Saturday deadline for completing the sweeping reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, the House of Assembly suspended its usual rules to introduce 12 bills. …
August 17, 2024
Virgin Islands heading for intense financial scrutiny, experts predict
The Virgin Islands is headed for increasingly intense international scrutiny despite a government drive to push through a raft of anti-financial-crime measures in the coming weeks, experts have warned. Deputy …
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July 6, 2024
Premier rules out fully public company register
The government will not permit “uninhibited” access to information about companies registered in the Virgin Islands despite previous promises to implement a public register of beneficial ownership, Premier Dr. Natalio …
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June 27, 2024
Maynard gets 9 years for cocaine conspiracy
During a friendly lunch meeting in St. Thomas in March 2022, Oleanvine Maynard explained her financial goals to an undercover operative she believed to be a member of Mexico’s Sinaloa …
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June 19, 2024
Regulator warns banks to shape up
A regulator has demanded that banks in the Virgin Islands cut the long lines for services and treat their customers better or face tougher penalties. The warning from the Financial …
June 14, 2024
Smith hails Asia trip as a success
The Virgin Islands has been hailed as a “super connector” for financial services in East Asia, Deputy Premier Lorna Smith said after an 11-day trade push last month in China …
June 6, 2024
Premier demands more climate aid
The premier has called for more international funding to tackle climate change at the start of a hurricane season that meteorologists expect to be very active. Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
May 31, 2024
Premier pledges public talks on global tax
The Cabinet has not yet decided whether to sign on to the Global Minimum Tax regime but expects a report on the matter from consultants by the end of June, …
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