PM Browne Blasts Local Banks for Bad Service

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, has once again voiced his frustration regarding the inadequate customer service provided by several banks in the country.

During the handover ceremony for the chairmanship of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), PM Browne highlighted that the service quality from certain financial institutions has consistently fallen short of expectations. He called on these banks to implement immediate improvements.

The Prime Minister pointed out a particular incident where customers were left waiting in the sun for hours just to access banking services. He remarked, “It’s unacceptable that not even a tent was organized for the customers!”

Browne specifically criticized bank personnel who appear more focused on their positions than on delivering proper service. “Having heard the concerns of our people regarding poor customer service and occasional mistreatment by these institutions, we will expedite the establishment of an Office of Financial Conduct and Inclusion (OFCI) to supervise market conduct in the financial sector,” he stated.

He lamented that, in 2025, banks are still failing to provide efficient and respectful service, opting instead for slow and discourteous interactions. “Let me be clear: good service is good business, and we expect to see urgent changes in how our banks operate,” he emphasized.

Highlighting the global nature of competition, Browne urged compliance officers and others within the banking sector to reassess their practices. He warned that their current approach makes it unnecessarily difficult to conduct business and threatens the region’s competitiveness and development.

“Service is love; let’s show some love and serve our people graciously and efficiently,” he concluded, urging the banking community to elevate their service standards.