A daunting challenge faced by financial institutions
in the Caribbean in recent years is the growing trend
being adopted by large global banks that serve as
correspondent banks to local financial institutions, to
severely limit or terminate their correspondent banking
relationships (CBRs) with these local or regional banks
(respondent banks). This practice is considered a form
of “de-risking”, whereby business relationships with
clients or categories of clients considered “high-risk”
are restricted or terminated. So far, financial institutions
in 12 Caribbean countries have had the CBRs of at least
one of their local banks terminated or “de-risked”.
