Commercial banks must expand beyond core services- GBTI Chairman

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 7:27 by Written By Denis Chabrol

Commercial banks must broaden their range of core services to ensure long-term investment in sustainable human development, according to Chairman of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Suresh Beharry.

“We must look beyond our traditional role as providers of financial services and recognise our broader responsibility as partners in national development,” he said. It is against the background of that need that he said GBTI opted to launch ‘GBTI Care’.

He explained that a a bank could not prosper indefinitely in a society that is not progressing or build lasting value without maintaining the confidence of its customers, employees, shareholders and the wider community. He stressed the importance of increasing Environmental, Social and Governance considerations in “how we think, how we manage risk and how we make decisions.”

Mr Beharry said through GBTI CARE,  his bank intends to progressively strengthen the integration of these principles into our lending practices, risk management, procurement and day-to-day operations.  “This is not simply about fulfilling a corporate responsibility. It is about building a stronger, more resilient and more responsible financial institution — one that is well positioned to serve Guyana for generations to come,” he said.

With Guyana labelled as the world’s fastest growing economy based on revenue, economic activity and population size; Mr Beharry said the country’s extraordinary economic transformation presents opportunities for growth and  prosperity on a scale that few of us could have imagined a generation ago. However, the top banking and finance executive said that alone was not sufficient for long-term sustainable human development.

“But economic growth, however impressive, does not automatically translate into sustainable and inclusive  development. That requires deliberate effort. It requires investment in people, the creation of opportunities, stronger communities, responsible institutions and a commitment to preserving our environment for future generations,” he said. He said financial institutions such as GBTI have an important role to play in helping to shape that future.

Mr Beharry explained that GBTI CARE represents an important evolution in the way that bank approaches its corporate social responsibility and its commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance principles. He sought to assure Guyanese that that GBTI CARE is the latest in its decades-long commitment to the communities it serves.  He said throughout our history, the bank has supported numerous educational, charitable, cultural and community initiatives, reflecting our belief that business success carries with it a responsibility to contribute to the wider society. “GBTI CARE  builds upon that foundation. It brings greater structure, focus  and accountability to our efforts, ensuring that our contributions are guided by clearly defined priorities and, importantly, that their impact can be measured,” he said.

The GBTI Chairman said the focus of this new initiative would be on community development, advancement through financial literacy, responsible banking and environmental stewardship. “It will be reflected in communities that are stronger, young people who are better equipped to manage their financial futures, businesses that embrace more responsible practices and initiatives that help preserve our environment. These are the outcomes that matter. And they cannot be achieved by the bank acting alone,” he said.

GBTI’s Chief Executive Officer Shawn Gurcharran remarked that his bank has experienced significant growth across multiple areas of business, expanded its services and strengthened its financial performance and invested in people. “We continue to enhance our capacity to serve an increasingly sophisticated Guyanese customer base,” he said. He attributed the bank’s growth to a high level of customer confidence and tireless dedication of employees.

Financial results for the third quarter of 2026 shows that Profit After Tax (PAT) increased by 44% year over year, while Earnings Per Share (EPS) rose by 43%. Return on Average Equity (ROAE) stood at 18.1%, underlining our focus on efficient capital deployment and sustainable returns. Strong client engagement continued to be a growth driver, with total deposits increasing to $292 billion, up 13% compared to the prior year, Mr Beharry had said earlier this year.