The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Caribbean Conference 2014, the largest trust conference held in the Caribbean annually will convene at Atlantis, Paradise Island from May 12-14, under the theme “Exploring the Possibilities”. The conference will focus on current issues faced by trust practitioners including evolving client needs, mastering the complexities of trust business on a local, regional and global scale and the influence of new technologies on the industry.

Prime Minister The Rt. Hon Perry G. Christie will bring opening remarks to the conference which is expected to attract delegates from the Caribbean, Latin America, the US, Canada, the UK and Europe.

Dianne Bingham, Senior Manager of Private Banking & Trust at Bank of The Bahamas Limited and Chairperson for STEP CC14 said this event will continue an important dialogue on issues that threaten the survival of International Financial Centres (IFCs).

“IFCs play an intricate part in global financing. We structure business and individuals to enable them to operate legitimately in a more cost friendly environment. STEP CC14 will bring global industry colleagues and professionals together in the same forum to address the ongoing challenges of IFCs and seek resolutions to those challenges with Government and Regulators to ensure the survival and continuity of International Financial Centres,” Mrs. Bingham said.

She noted that the conference schedule includes presentations on international regulatory pressures on IFCs including FATCA and FATF and IFCs’ best options for responding to those pressures. Sessions will also examine trends such as the impact of social media on the Trustee-Beneficiary relationship and jurisdictional matters including the threat of kidnapping.

According to Mrs. Bingham a slate of dynamic conference speakers not only features international experts but will also offer presentations by esteemed Bahamian professionals from Graham Thompson and Co., Deloitte and Touche, Higgs & Johnson, Ministry of Financial Services and Ernst and Young. For the third time in its history STEP CC will recognize the Top STEP Diploma Student in the Caribbean at its dinner and awards ceremony on Sunday, May 11.

STEP CC14 is supported by the presenting sponsor, The Ministry of Financial Services, the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Association of International Banks and Trust Companies (AIBT) along with leading Law firms, Accounting firms, Offshore Banks and Trust Companies and other financial Institutions.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is a unique professional body providing members with a local, national and international learning and business network focusing on the responsible stewardship of assets today and across the generations.

STEP provides education, training, representation and networking for its members. Members advise clients on a myriad of matters comprising Estate, Succession and Family planning inclusive of protection and management of personal assets. Full members of STEP (TEPs) are the most experienced practitioners in the field of trusts and estate planning.

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DIANNE BINGHAM, -- Senior Manager, Private Banking & Trust, BOB and STEP CC14 Conference Chair.