JBA elects Sagicor Bank’s Chorvelle Johnson-Cunningham president for 2026-2027

The Jamaica Bankers Association has chosen Mrs. Chorvelle Johnson-Cunningham of Sagicor Bank as president for the 2026-2027 term, following an election held on July 16, 2026.

Members also installed Radcliffe Daley, head of First Global Bank, as first vice president; Jerome Smalling, head of JMMB Bank, as second vice president; Eva Lewis, head of Citibank, as treasurer; and Paul Elliott, head of VM Building Society, as honorary secretary. The association thanked outgoing president Mrs. Audrey Tugwell Henry of Scotiabank, who held the post since October 2023.

Separately, Mrs. Rose Hall, managing director of BPM Financial, has proposed that the government put $100,000 toward every child born in Jamaica last year to help close the nation’s retirement savings gap. Speaking to RJR News, she said the outlay would run about $3 billion—modest against a $1.44 trillion national budget—and would ease the long-run social and economic burden of an ageing population with thin pension coverage.

She cited Pensions Industry Association of Jamaica figures showing that only about 20 per cent of the country’s 1.4 million workers—roughly 283,000 people—belong to approved retirement schemes. If $100,000 were invested for each newborn, she said, the pot could reach about $15 million by retirement age 65.

On the Jamaica Stock Exchange for July 20, 2026, TransJamaican Highway Limited led volume with 9,483,954 units, or 39.48 per cent of market sales. LASCO Financial Services Limited followed with 3,346 units (12.5 per cent), and Wisynco Group Limited with 1,486,267 units (6.19 per cent). Trading stayed focused on transport, finance, and distribution names tied to dividends and strategic holdings.

Bank of Jamaica data for the same day showed active forex demand. The US dollar sold at $159.48 and bought at $157.81. The Canadian dollar sold at $114.50 and bought at $111.29, a $3.21 spread. The British pound sold at $215.42 and bought at $209.94, a $5.48 spread. The moves underline the need for firms to watch cash-flow timing and currency exposure on imports, debt, and overseas links.

Investors weighing property deals were also reminded that a clean credit file can improve loan approval odds, rates, and borrowing room, while missed payments, heavy debt, or bad data can shrink financing options—making a credit-report check part of any purchase plan.