Fidelity Business Summit 2026

Innovative products offered by Fidelity

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited hosted its Business Summit at Margaritaville under the theme “Your Business, Your Future, Your Success.”

Believed to be the bank’s first business summit, the event brought together professionals and business support organisations to share practical information on managing, strengthening and growing businesses in The Bahamas.

The programme delivered useful insights on tax compliance, financial management, business development and the role of banking innovation in supporting local enterprises.

Practical Advice for Businesses

LaPaige Gardiner, Senior Tax Manager at the Department of Inland Revenue, provided comprehensive information on tax compliance and filing requirements. Her presentation was particularly useful for business owners seeking clarity on their obligations.

Cryslyn Williamson, Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche, delivered an excellent presentation on the financial records every business should maintain. Understanding your numbers is essential to monitoring performance, making sound decisions and planning for growth.

Samantha Rolle of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) also gave a strong presentation on resources available to support entrepreneurs and strengthen small businesses.

Each presentation offered practical information that business owners can apply to their operations.

Fidelity’s Local Presence and Commitment

The keynote address by Gowon Bowe, Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited, focused on the economic outlook and building stronger businesses for a stronger Bahamas. One of my key takeaways was Fidelity’s accessibility, local presence and connection to the community. For Bahamian businesses, having a bank that operates within and understands the local market is an important consideration.

Banking is more than transactions. It is also about access to financial services and solutions that meet the needs of businesses as they grow.

Innovation in Action

Fidelity’s technology offerings were another highlight of my experience.

The demonstration of its business kiosks showcased an innovative solution for business owners to display their products in-store and enable customers to complete their purchases directly through the kiosks. This offers an additional way for businesses to showcase their products and facilitate convenient transactions.

These innovations demonstrate how technology can make financial services more accessible and everyday transactions more convenient. They also reflect the changing expectations of businesses and consumers in an increasingly digital economy.

Beyond a Good Business Idea

One of the key lessons from the summit was that a good business idea is only the starting point. Building a sustainable business requires a solid business plan, proper financial record keeping, tax compliance and sound business practices.

The presentations reinforced the importance of understanding your numbers, maintaining accurate records and putting the right systems in place to support growth. These are not simply administrative tasks; they are essential to running a credible, financially sound business and making informed decisions.

For entrepreneurs, the message was clear: having a great idea matters, but having the structure and discipline to turn that idea into a sustainable business matters just as much.