Author Bio
Stephen Thomas
Stephen leads the Financial Institutions Team for the Caribbean region at IDB Invest, which he joined in 2019. He is responsible for originating and structuring financing transactions for financial intermediaries that have an impact on development, by increasing access to financing, fostering women’s
empowerment and supporting climate change mitigation programs, among others. Before joining the IDB Group, Stephen led teams focused on equity brokerage, investment advisory and wealth management for First Citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Barbados. He previously worked as Debt Capital Markets Head of Citicorp Merchant Bank Limited, covering clients across the wider English-speaking Caribbean region. Stephen earned a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (USA) and an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of the West Indies.
Posts by Stephen Thomas
Tailored Solutions and Services can Unlock Homeownership for Women
Substantial barriers in accessing housing finance exacerbate poverty and vulnerability. Facilitating women’s access can improve economic and social well-being and become a significant opportunity for financial institutions in an untapped market.
Addressing Climate Change Through Improved Business Continuity
The increasing impact of climate change on the Caribbean, emphasizes the need for effective business continuity management to mitigate disruptions.
Caribbean Financial Institutions Are Looking to Open their Digital Umbrellas
A shift towards greater digitization was overdue for Caribbean banks, and has been accelerated by the current pandemic. Now, they are rolling out their digital channels, seeking to implement ways in which to help bank customers and employees protect themselves while providing the same and enhanced services.