2025 Christmas Message from Timothy N.J. Antoine Governor, Eastern Caribbean Central...

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14, NKJV)

Fellow citizens and residents of the ECCU, it is, for most of us, the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas is a unique celebration of faith, family, love and hope.

I proffer my highest praise to Almighty God for his goodness and grace throughout this past year.

I hail Team ECCB - Executive, Management, Staff and Interns for your commitment, relentless focus and hard work in service
to the people of our Currency Union. I also record my profound gratitude to the Monetary Council and Board for your
guidance and unwavering support.

We are grateful that our fair isles were spared a major hurricane during another very active hurricane season. Our thoughts,
prayers and practical support continue for the people of Jamaica and other countries affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Our EC dollar remains strong with a current backing approaching 99 percent and our international reserves continue to grow.

Despite the heightened uncertainty with the global economy, our hyper-open economies continue to demonstrate resilience. Growth in the ECCU is likely to be around 3.7 percent in 2025, slightly higher than 2024.

Inflation, largely imported, though still challenging, has slowed compared with the past three years.
This past year, we advanced our shared agenda for transformation and shared prosperity on multiple fronts.

Highlights in 2025 include:

• Launch of the First Step Account in partnership with the ECCU Bankers' Association
• Launch of Regional Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility (REIIF) in partnership with the World Bank
• Launch of the Retail Government Bond programme with the Government of Grenada

We are grateful to each of you for your prayers, partnership and support. Indeed, I seize this opportunity to thank our
member countries and partners (nationally, regionally and internationally) for your engagement and support this past year.

As we set our sights on 2026, we are mindful of climate change and the ever- changing geopolitical environment. In respect of economic prospects, we currently project growth in the ECCU between 3 and 4 percent.

The ECCB will launch a new strategic plan focused on our Big Push challenge framed as a simple question: what will it take the double the size of our economies over the next decade? And personalized with the question: what will it take to double your net worth?

ECCB Focus for 2026:

• Financial Stability;
• Establishment of the Office of Financial Conduct to better protect customers of financial institutions;
• Establishment of a regional regulator for our Citizenship By Investment Programmes (CBI/CIP);
• Expansion of our Retail Bond programme to help more savers become financial investors;
• Data Privacy and Protection;
• Data and AI Strategy; and
• Payments Modernisation and Financial Inclusion

So, from my family and me to you:

The Monetary Council, Board, executive, management, staff, interns, retirees, local, regional and international partners and the
citizens and residents of the ECCU:

Here's wishing you a Joyous Christmas!

May 2026 be a Healthy, Productive and Prosperous Year for you!

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About the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank was established in October 1983. The Central Bank is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat,
Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Media Contact: Shermalon Kirby
Director, Corporate Relations Department
Phone: (869) 465-2537 | Mobile: (869) 662-2561
E-mail: [email protected] | Website: www.eccb-centralbank.org

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