History of The Power to Make a Difference

As Republic Bank Limited grows, so does our regional reach. In an increasingly borderless world, we are engaging with more markets, communities and people than ever before. As we meet the needs of our employees, customers and shareholders in a responsible and caring manner, we know that we must leave this world a better place than we found it, by helping to build successful and thriving communities in all of the markets we serve, markets which continue to support us.

Social investment has always been an integral part of Republic Bank’s DNA. We firmly believe that we must help struggling communities enhance the quality of life for themselves and for future generations. We also encourage these communities to build a system of ethics that will endure. We achieve these objectives through Our Power to Make a Difference programme (PMAD). PMAD focuses on three specific areas:

• Development of young people through education, sport and the arts
• Poverty alleviation through training programmes for at-risk youth and the provision of facilities for elderly community members
• Helping differently-abled persons and groups find their place in the world. We provide training and physical facilities to help them become more self-sufficient and to contribute to society more effectively.

Although our focus on social investment began since our inception in 1837, PMAD was developed to deal with the specific issues outlined above. PMAD was introduced in 2004 with the aim of investing TT$252 million in social programmes in T&T from 2004 to 2018.

The second phase of this programme began in 2009, extending its scope for another five years, until 2014. Our committed investment for this period is an unprecedented TT$100 million.

In 2009, International Business Awards presented us with the Stevie Award for the Best Social Investment Programme in South America. The award recognised PMAD’s impact in enhancing the lives of several communities and providing opportunities for at-risk young people.

The Power to Make a Difference Programme has also been introduced in other countries where we have our operations, namely Grenada, Guyana and Barbados, with a similar focus on youth development, poverty alleviation and helping the differently-abled.

Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins once said, "Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more." We too are giving back to become more than your average bank. We are glad to have the privilege of sharing in the lives of hundreds of thousands of persons through our banking services and of enhancing the lives of tens of thousands through our Power to Make a Difference programme.