New Real Estate Division For Royal Bank of Canada

Mr. Kendall, who is director of Real Estate Markets, Caribbean division, said RBC is training Bahamians extensively to provide the advice and counsel needed to develop better cliental relationships.

"The Bahamas is undergoing a phenomenal growth economically, and it’s managed by Bahamians. So we formed a team of Bahamian bankers to specialize in real estate financing," he said.

"No matter what line of business you’re [seeking], you need to deal with someone who understands you. For example, Bahamian developers want to know that the banker working with them understands where they’re coming from as a Bahamian first, then a developer."

Mr. Kendall said once he is done training the Bahamian team, he will more than likely move on to another Caribbean country.

"My role is to create the team, then set it in motion and then to put the leadership in place. We’ve asked Lester Cox [who is a Bahamian banking expert] to be the leader of this team within a year when he’s back from training in Canada. He will come back as leader to head the team," Mr. Kendall said.

Apart from Mr. Kendall and Mr. Cox, the rest of the team includes: Jerome R. Pinder, Manager, Executive Banking; Lydia L. Gardiner, Account Manager, Executive Banking; Shannelle Brennan, Account Manager Trainee, Commercial Financial Services, and Vanessa Richards, Account Officer, Commercial Financial Services.

Mr. Kendall is hopeful that this team of real estate specialists will better assist Bahamians in making the best choice for their future in terms of real estate.