Turner-Jones: Banks not doing enough to finance Bahamian businesses

Economist Therese Turner-Jones said high excess liquidity in the Bahamian banking system shows banks are not directing enough credit to local businesses, favoring consumer loans and established corporate clients over start-ups and small firms. She cited limited commercial-lending expertise and weak small-business support.

Why it matters:The criticism points to gaps in private-sector credit allocation and small-business support that bear on bank lending strategy, development finance institutions and policy aimed at economic growth. (Negative development)