Bank of Guyana blocks Scotiabank takeover

(Guyana Chronicle) THE Central Bank has denied Republic Bank Financial Holdings (RBFH) plans to take over the operations of Scotiabank in Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga has confirmed.

Dr Ganga, the Central Bank Governor, told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday night that both of the banks were informed of the decision. He said that the denial of the application for takeover by RBFH branded as Republic Bank was due largely to the high level of concentration of the banking system, noting that “it would lead to systemic issues” which would have affected the health of the financial system here.

Dr Ganga explained that the move would have led to lower cost efficiency, adding that it would have stymied competition in the sector here. He said Republic Bank would have had over 50% assets and deposits in the local sector adding that it would have raised “major concerns” such as impact on competition.

Both banks have done very well in Guyana, Dr Ganga said. He said the Republic Bank has played “a very good role in Guyana and this is why they would have wanted to advance their footprint.” However, he reiterated that the planned move would have had an adverse impact on the banking system.

He said Scotiabank is free to sell their operations and with the evolving oil and gas industry here, it can take advantage of the opportunities which lay ahead. In November 2018, Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) trading as Scotiabank, reported that fourth-quarter earnings were marginally below expectations and said it planned to exit nine countries in the Caribbean as part of a shake-up of that business.

Read more at: Guyana Chronicle

Source: CARICOM TODAY