The Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat Bankers Association (ABMBA) met with Prime Minister Gaston Browne and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance to strengthen collaboration on financial inclusion and sector resilience.

According to a statement from the ABMBA, the discussions focused on improving access to financial services for underserved and vulnerable groups, as well as enhancing business confidence across the nation. The meeting also recognized October as Financial Literacy Month within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and underscored the need to integrate financial education into national school curricula.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to developing innovative financial products and expanding credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative, they said, forms part of a broader roadmap to promote economic empowerment and long-term collaboration in the banking sector.

The ABMBA and the ministry also addressed concerns over the rise in banking-related crimes regionally and locally. They urged the public to remain vigilant against scams and fraudulent schemes and agreed to expand public awareness campaigns promoting responsible banking practices.

The Ministry of Finance and the ABMBA said they remain committed to building a secure, inclusive, and resilient financial system that supports the economic advancement of citizens across Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat.