Philip Guy Rochford
The author was chief executive of the National Commercial Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited from its inception until his retirement from the bank after twenty-three years. National Commercial Banking in Trinidad and Tobago shows the universal principle that where there is a will, there is a way. It highlights the processes that laid the foundation for modern commercial banking in Trinidad and Tobago. These processes were the following: —Elimination of employment practices that discriminated on grounds of class, race, creed, or location of applicant’s address —Increase in total deposits of NCB from $4.5 million in1970 to over $1.5 billion in 1993 —Banking services provided to neglected lower income groups —Development of a professional local management to strengthen the banking system and governance of Trinidad and Tobago —Introduction of mortgage loans for housing construction on 90 percent financing terms, not previously available —Elimination of female-gender income discrimination where females were loan applicants or joint loan applicants for housing loans —Lifting of the self-confidence and self-esteem of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago One of the significant lessons to be learnt from National Commercial Banking in Trinidad and Tobago is that each person can make a positive difference in a country’s progress. Each person has a spark of divinity and can live life fully, love openly, and make a difference by his/her unique contribution to society. 3
