ECCB at 43: Anchored in Stability, Focused on Service and Shared Prosperity

1 October 2026, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is marking its 43rd anniversary on Thursday, 1 October, with a renewed commitment to stability and shared prosperity across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The Bank commenced the observance of its anniversary on 27 September with its annual church service. The management, staff, retirees, members of affiliated institutions and well-wishers joined the Pastor and members of the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre in Limekiln, Basseterre for Divine Worship and thanksgiving.

In addressing the congregation, Governor, Timothy N.J. Antoine expressed a deep sense of gratitude to God and recognised the contributions of the founders and framers of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, including:

• The Rt. Excellent and Rt. Honourable Dr Sir Kennedy Simmonds, the sole surviving signatory of the ECCB Agreement;
• Sir Cecil Jacobs, the Bank's first Governor;
• Sir K Dwight Venner, the ECCB's second and longest-serving Governor;
• Eustace Liburd, a member of the Bank's first Management Team in his capacity as Manager, Research; and
• The late Honourable Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, the Caribbean's first female Prime Minister and the first woman to serve on the ECCB Monetary Council. Her portrait is featured on the newly designed $20 EC banknote.

The ECCB was established on 1 October 1983, and serves as the monetary authority for its eight member countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Stability remains central to the ECCB's mandate, with the EC dollar's fixed exchange rate of EC$2.70 to US$1.00 providing an anchor for confidence, investment, trade, and economic activity. In July 2026, the Bank reported foreign reserves of EC$5.9 billion and a reserve backing ratio of 97.6 per cent, well above the statutory minimum of 60.0 per cent.

The Bank has advanced several people-centred initiatives in 2026. In July, the ECCB and the Monetary Council unveiled designs for new EC banknotes, shaped by public consultation and celebrating the Currency Union's shared identity and achievements by honouring national heroes and regional figures.The ECCB launched the Office of Financial Conduct (OFC), on 30 September. This office will strengthen financial consumer protection and promote financial literacy, awareness, and access to basic financial services.

Governor Antoine first issued the call for a "big push" at the launch of the Bank's 40^th anniversary celebrations in January 2023. That call now anchors the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, The Big Push: Collective Action for Shared Prosperity in the ECCU.

Building on 43 years of service, the ECCB remains committed to protecting the stability earned over successive generations and using it as a platform for the Currency Union's continued transformation and shared prosperity.

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About the ECCB
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was established in October 1983. The ECCB 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.

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