Our History

History of CIBC FirstCaribbean

CIBC FirstCaribbean's knowledge of banking has been gained through a combined experience of almost 250 years in the Caribbean through our heritage organisations, Barclays PLC and CIBC.

Both have the distinction of being the oldest banks in the Caribbean. They were a part of the development of the region since the days of salt cod and rum. Many changes have been made since then. Tourism is the new export, and West Indian businesses are now taking on the world. FirstCaribbean will be there to make that goal possible.

FirstCaribbean was formed in 2002 with the merger of CIBC West Indies Holdings and Barclays Bank PLC Caribbean operations. In December 2006, CIBC acquired Barclays stake and became the majority shareholder in FirstCaribbean.

On June 20, 2011 we proudly announced that we will be co-branded under the CIBC banner, adopting the branding CIBC FirstCaribbean. The addition of CIBC to the FirstCaribbean brand emphasizes CIBC’s long-term commitment to the Caribbean region, our employees and our clients. Our clients and our employees across the Caribbean will continue to benefit from the long-term investment that CIBC is making in the Caribbean – a history that dates back to our first branches opened in 1920.

CIBC FirstCaribbean will continue to operate as a Caribbean-managed business within the CIBC group of companies, and trades as FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited on the stock exchanges of Barbados and Trinidad.


Research the important milestones of CIBC FirstCaribbean's history in the region


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