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NAD eyes fee rise after $15.1m loss

The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) is currently mulling another fee increase, as it predicts a “few more years” of losses following $15.1 million in ‘red ink’ incurred during its 2015 financial year.

Ex-Hard Rock franchisee queries transfer to ex-MP

Hard Rock Cafe's former Nassau franchisee has questioned why the business was so readily handed to its Bahamian landlord, when a decade earlier he had been "forced" to pay $1 million to end their partnership.

PHA exceeds bond target with $26-$27m

The Public Hospitals Authority's (PHA) $25 million bond issue closed slightly oversubscribed, its financial advisers estimating that between $26-$27 million has been raised from investors.

Insurer sees 38% fall from Summit

Summit Insurance blamed reduced real estate valuations for a 38.2 per cent year-over-year profits slump, as it focuses on “defending our book” in a year that will have “negative growth”.

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QC: ‘No more secrets’ over Freeport’s future

An outspoken QC yesterday made good on his threat to launch Judicial Review proceedings against the consultation on Freeport’s future, warning: “No more secrets. It’s finally time for government in the sunshine.”

BTC profits slump 26.4%

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) suffered a 26.4 per cent profits slump for the year to end-March 2015, as its revenues and staffing levels came under pressure in the run-up to mobile liberalisation.

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CWC: BTC ‘lags’ region despite $75m investment

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) controlling owner yesterday conceded that its network quality “lags” much of the Caribbean and wider world, despite increasing its capital investment by 47 per cent last year.

SEC moving for sanctions against broker’s principal

US federal regulators are seeking sanctions and a default judgment against the Bahamian principal of a broker/dealer for failure to comply with a New York court’s order.

Banks to ‘double’ VAT recovery.... to just 10%

The Bahamian banking industry is hopeful it might be able to recover ‘double’ the amount of Value-Added Tax (VAT) inputs than previously thought, as one institution yesterday revealed its total tax burden will increase by $6-$7 million in two years.

US gives Cable growth ‘4 times’ that in Bahamas

Cable Bahamas yesterday said its US expansion had generated growth that would take three-four years to achieve in this market, having enjoyed an “immediate” 26 per cent top-line boost.

US judge slams broker chief’s ‘court disregard’

A Bahamian broker/dealer’s principal has been accused of “disregard for the court’s authority”, resulting in a New York judge blocking his bid to retreat from two multi-million dollar securities fraud lawsuits.

Broker warns Feds: 'I'll plead the Fifth'

A Bahamian broker/dealer's principal has warned US federal regulators that their efforts to obtain evidence from him over two alleged multi-million dollar securities frauds will be futile, as his lips will be sealed.

BEC manager-elect slams 'fraud by hindsight' claim

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation's (BEC) prospective manager has dismissed as "fraud by hindsight" claims that it artificially inflated its stock price prior to a one-day wipe-out that erased $250 million in shareholder value.

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VAT guidance notes undermine core financial sector policy

The Government’s “inconsistent” Value-Added Tax (VAT) positions are threatening to undermine core financial services policy objectives, a top QC warned yesterday, threatening a loss of competitiveness and high-value business.

CIBC: Bahamas worst for ‘bad’ mortgages

CIBC’s top Caribbean executive yesterday revealed that the “magnitude” of non-performing home loans in the Bahamas was “greater than anywhere else” in the region, this nation accounting for 50 per cent of the bank’s ‘bad’ mortgages.

Ryan’s employer: Financial sector’s ‘great opportunity’

Ryan Pinder’s new employer believes the Bahamas has “a tremendous opportunity” in financial services if it is innovative, with its current recruitment drive intended to position the institution “for the next 20 years”.

Shareholder outrage over ‘no change’ BOB

Bank of the Bahamas shareholders yesterday reacted with outrage over the decision to nominate the existing Board of Directors for re-election, one demanding: “Where does the buck stop?”

Broker ‘in peril’ if it meets US demands

A Bahamian broker/dealer will “act at its peril” should it comply with US federal regulators’ demands to produce thousands of documents relevant to their ongoing New York legal battle.

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RoyalFidelity predicts ‘double digit millions’ for new fund

RoyalFidelity believes its latest mutual fund will attract “double digit millions” from Bahamian investors through its promise to pay them a 4 per cent annual dividend.

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Illegal netting threatens $1.5m bonefish investment

A Long Island bonefishing lodge owner says his $1.5 million investment and six jobs are being jeopardised by illegal netting, which threatens to “wipe out” the industry within the next five years.