NEW MONEY LINK AGENT BANK A FIRST IN JAMAICA

THE TOP brass of a number of subsidiaries of the GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG) took a break from their daily desk duties to join customers and the directors of Stapharm Services for the official launch of the First Global Money Link agent bank – the first agent bank to be established in Jamaica.

The event took place inside the Boulevard Super Centre in Kingston recently.

Established more than 20 years ago, Stapharm is operated by businessman Clinton Brissette, his wife Carlene and their daughter Tanya. They have been agents of the Western Union Money Transfer and the FX Trader brands in Morant Bay, St Thomas, and Kingston.

First Global Money Link is a subsidiary of First Global Bank (FGB) – an affiliate of GKFG.

With the establishment of the island’s first agent bank, President and CEO of FGB Mariame McIntosh-Robinson said they plan to establish 30 agent banks across Jamaica between now and 2019. GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby is optimistic that they can increase the number to 100 over the long term.

McIntosh-Robinson explains the services being offered at the agent bank: “Customers can do most of the transactions they would normally do at a traditional bank’s branch, such as deposits, withdrawals, loans, credit card payments and balance enquiries,” she said.

“We believe that banks have to continue to transform themselves to truly offer good customer experience and services, by allowing persons and businesses to have access to and be able to easily navigate the banking system. No fees are charged at agent locations,” added McIntosh-Robinson, who also said GKFG was pleased to partner with Stapharm Services to offer convenient, in-person banking to the community.

GraceKennedy Group CEO Senator Don Wehby (right) and Clinton Brissette, founder of Stapharm Services, talk about financial matters.

Greetings are in order between Ayana Jones (left), chief financial officer at the Ministry of Justice, and Mariame McIntosh-Robinson, president and CEO at First Global Bank, during the launch of its First Global Money Link agent bank inside Stapharm Services, located at the Boulevard Supercentre in Kingston recently. Looking on is Clinton Brissette, agent owner.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Stakeholders cheer as Jamaica’s first agent bank is officially launched under the First Global Money Link agent bank umbrella inside Stapharm Services, located at the Boulevard Supercentre in Kingston, recently. They are (from left) Don Wehby, Group, GraceKennedy Group CEO; Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke; Clinton Brissette; and his daughter, Tanya, managing partners of Stapharm and operators of the agent bank.