Republic Bank recently joined the membership of the SME Finance Forum, becoming part of a global network of finance experts, dedicated to empowering SMEs through innovative financial solutions and insights. The Forum comprises over 300 members and affiliates, operating in 190 countries.
To kick things off, Republic Bank, represented by Group Vice President Richard S. Sammy, participated in the Forum’s inaugural Virtual CEO Roundtable, on July 30th, 2025.
Themed Financing Positive Change, the Virtual Roundtable convened global banking and development leaders, focused on advancing SME finance through innovation, inclusion, and leadership. The event showcased diverse strategies and impactful initiatives from institutions across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. CEOs and senior executives shared insights on driving SME banking excellence, leveraging digital tools, fostering inclusive ecosystems, and preparing for an AI-driven future.
Richard S. Sammy stressed the importance of segmentation and reiterated that having a clear distinction between our SMEs and commercial portfolio, is essential to providing tailored products, training and solutions, which drive SME excellence and foster economic growth. With the continued evolution of digital trends, Richard noted that embracing these trends and leveraging data driven analytics and AI, have allowed Republic Bank and other similar institutions to accelerate financial inclusion, enhance risk management strategies, improve service delivery and enable SMEs to thrive in competitive landscapes.
With our membership in the SME Finance Forum, we deepen our alignment with the Principles for Responsible Banking and continue to support the critical UN Sustainability goals. We believe that through shared commitment and innovative collaborations, we can unlock the full potential of SMEs across the Caribbean region and globally.
