Our story
Originally called Colonial Bank, we were born in 1837 as the first commercial bank in Trinidad and Tobago. Our 181-year history is testimony to a successful growth strategy fuelled by expansion through acquisition, prudent risk management principles, comprehensive and innovative corporate social investment programmes and initiatives, and visionary leadership paired with multitalented and loyal employees.
Through the years, we continuously evolved to match the demands of growing economies and the rapid social changes in the markets where we currently operate. Significant expansion during this period, through the acquisition of several subsidiaries, resulted in Republic Bank performing dual roles of a licensed commercial bank and a holding company for its subsidiaries. While the roles were well managed, the Group needed a more sustainable structure to facilitate even more effective management and good governance given our current and future strategies.
In December 2015, a decision was taken to form Republic Financial Holdings Limited by a Vesting Order, under the Financial Institutions Act, Chap 79:09, of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago; successfully bringing the structure of the Republic Group in line with international best practices to facilitate future growth.
Who we are today
Headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) is the registered owner of all the banks in the Republic Group – Republic Bank Limited, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited, Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited, Republic Bank (Suriname) N.V., Cayman National Corporation, Republic Bank (EC) Limited, Republic Bank (Anguilla) Limited, Republic Bank (St. Maarten) N.V. and Republic Bank (Ghana) Limited, as well as Republic Securities Limited and other subsidiaries. Across these markets, RFHL offers an extensive range of banking services, including credit and debit card issuance and processing, leasing, trustee services, mutual fund and investment management, and merchant banking.
As at September 30, 2019, the Group’s asset base stood at US$13.09 billion, and declared a net profit after tax and non-controlling interest of US$237 million. The Group currently employs more than 6,166 staff in 20 subsidiaries operating in 13 countries.
While the Group continues its journey of financial growth and development, and teamwork with the community to bring about positive change, it is pledged to continually raise the standards of banking locally, regionally, and internationally.
Achievement timeline
| 1837 | Colonial Bank opened its first office on Marine Square (now Independence Square) in Port of Spain |
| 1925 | Three prominent UK Banks merged and Colonial Bank became Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) |
| 1971 | Changed name to Barclays Bank International Limited Established Republic Finance and Merchant Bank Limited (formerly Barclays Finance Corporation) |
| 1972 | Barclays Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (BBTT) incorporated locally and operations taken over by BBTT Offered first issue of shares to the public |
| 1981 | Changed name to Republic Bank Limited |
| 1986 | First Automated Banking Machine (ABM) installed at Park Street Branch |
| 1990 | First bank in Trinidad & Tobago to establish a local credit card, VISA Republic card |
| 1991 | First bank in Trinidad & Tobago to link an ATM network to Visa International Established Republic Securities Limited |
| 1992 | Purchased 51% shares in National Commercial Bank of Grenada Limited (NCB) |
| 1994 | Purchased 23% shares in Bank of Commerce Trinidad and Tobago Limited Purchased 20% shares in CIBC West Indies Holdings Limited |
| 1996 | Acquired 100% shares in Bank of Commerce |
| 1997 |
Arranged a successful rights issue valued at US$95 million |
| 1998 | Set up Republic Bank Insurance (Cayman) Limited, an offshore insurance company |
| 1999 | Established Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Barbados) Limited, an offshore bank |
| 2002 | Established Representative Office in Havana, Cuba |
| 2003 | Acquired a 57.23% majority shareholding in Barbados National Bank Inc. (BNB) Later increased shareholding in BNB to 65.1% Launched Power To Make A Difference Programme |
| 2004 | Acquired a majority shareholding in Reliance Stockbrokers Limited |
| 2005 | Rebranded Banco Mercantil S.A. as Republic Bank (DR) S.A. Reliance Stockbrokers Ltd. brand replaced with Republic Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Republic Bank Limited |
| 2006 | National Commercial Bank of Grenada Limited rebranded Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited Acquired Dextra Bank and Trust Company's operations through Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago (Cayman) Limited National Bank of Industry and Commerce Ltd. rebranded Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited Republic Bank (DR) S.A. sold retail portfolio |
| 2007 | Republic Bank (DR) S.A. sold operations |
| 2008 | Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited became the first Grenadian corporation to list its shares on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) |
| 2012 | Barbados National Bank Inc. rebranded Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited Acquired 8.79% shares in HFC Bank Ghana Limited |
| 2013 | Acquired the remaining 34.86% minority shareholding in Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited, making it a wholly owned subsidiary Increased our shareholding in HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited to 40%, making us the largest single shareholder |
| 2015 | Acquired an additional 19.25% shareholding in HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited. This increased the shareholding by a 57.11% majority. Acquired 100% shareholding in RBC Suriname N.V. which was re-branded Republic Suriname Holdings Limited The Group was restructured which resulted in Republic Bank Financial Holdings Limited being established. |
| 2016 | Acquired an additional 24% shareholding of Republic Bank Grenada Limited. This increased the shareholdings to a 75%. |
| 2017 | Increased our shareholding in HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited to 58.51% |
| 2018 | HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited rebranded Republic Bank (Ghana) Limited |
| 2019 | Acquired 74.99% of Cayman National Corporation in March 2019 Acquired Scotiabank operations in Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Rebrand the Eastern Caribbean Scotiabank operations as Republic Bank (EC) Limited, Republic Bank (St. Maarten) Limited and Republic Bank (Anguilla) Limited. Acquired Scotiabank operations in the British Virgin Islands. |