The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank published its Governor’s 2025 Christmas message setting out current economic conditions in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and a policy agenda for 2026, including a new strategic plan aimed at doubling the size of member economies over the next decade. The message reported that the EC dollar remains strong with backing approaching 99 percent and that international reserves continue to grow. Growth in the ECCU is projected at around 3.7 percent in 2025, slightly higher than 2024, while inflation has slowed compared with the prior three years. The ECCB also highlighted 2025 initiatives including the First Step Account with the ECCU Bankers’ Association, the Regional Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility with the World Bank, and a retail government bond programme launched with the Government of Grenada. For 2026, the ECCB set priorities spanning financial stability, establishing an Office of Financial Conduct to better protect customers of financial institutions, creating a regional regulator for Citizenship by Investment Programmes, expanding the retail bond programme, strengthening data privacy and protection, developing a data and artificial intelligence strategy, and advancing payments modernisation and financial inclusion.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank 2025-12-22
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank outlines 2026 priorities including an Office of Financial Conduct and a regional Citizenship by Investment regulator
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's Governor outlined 2025 economic conditions and a plan to double member economies over the next decade. The EC dollar remains strong, with international reserves growing and ECCU growth projected at 3.7 percent for 2025. Key 2026 priorities include financial stability, customer protection, a regional regulator for Citizenship by Investment Programmes, and advancements in data privacy, AI strategy, and payments modernisation.