The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has published its 2025-2026 Annual Report, saying the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union remained stable through a period of global uncertainty and recorded estimated growth of 2.5 percent in 2025. The report says tourism and infrastructure investment supported activity, inflation moderated in the latter part of the year, and the financial system stayed resilient. It also says the EC dollar maintained its fixed exchange rate of XCD2.70 to USD1.00, foreign reserves rose to 6.0 billion from 5.5 billion as of 31 March 2026, the backing ratio reached 97.2 percent, and the bank recorded a profit of 121.6 million. The report highlights several operational and policy measures aimed at broadening access to finance and strengthening market infrastructure. These include the launch of the ECCU First Step Savings Account in all eight member countries, the start of data collection by EveryData ECCU from participating institutions, and continued work toward an Office of Financial Conduct and an Eastern Caribbean Financial Standards Board for non-bank financial institution oversight. It also embeds the ECCB's 2026-2031 strategic plan, The Big Push: Collective Action for Shared Prosperity in the ECCU, which is framed around doubling the size of the regional economy over the next decade through action on food and nutrition security, energy security, connectivity and logistics, financial deepening and wealth creation, human capital development, digital transformation and Tourism 2.0, alongside diversification beyond tourism into digital, green, blue and orange economy activities. The report points to flagship initiatives already under development, including the Regional Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility being advanced with member governments, the World Bank and other stakeholders. It also notes that the ECCB is due to mark on 7 July 2026 the 50th anniversary of the EC dollar's peg to the US dollar.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank2026-06-26
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank annual report highlights 2.5 percent growth and sets plan to double ECCU economy
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's 2025-2026 Annual Report says the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union grew an estimated 2.5 percent in 2025, with easing inflation, stable financial conditions and continued support from tourism and infrastructure investment. It also highlights the rollout of the ECCU First Step Savings Account, progress in regional credit infrastructure through EveryData ECCU, and work on stronger non-bank oversight. The report sets out the ECCB's 2026-2031 Big Push strategy to double the region's economy over the next decade.