Fidelity Bank recently hosted an awards ceremony in which almost 30 students were recognized for academic excellence. The ceremony was part of the Fidelity Pays for As Educational Program, in which the children of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Limited and Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited staff members received financial awards for A grades earned in academic subjects on their end-of-year report cards and in national examinations.
The program was established in 2013 in memory of Phillippa Ferguson-Wilson, a former assistant vice-president of corporate finance at Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Limited, who passed away in September 2013. Phillippa's pursuit of scholastic excellence throughout her life inspired the executives of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Limited to implement the program. The objective of the program is to encourage Fidelity staff members to become active participants in the academic success of their children and to reward the children of staff members for their academic achievements.
"Phillippa Ferguson-Wilson's academic achievements spoke to her belief that education is important. We agree with Phillippa and are happy to have a program in place that supports this idea. We thought it was fitting to start at home with our Fidelity Family," said Michael Anderson, president of Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Limited.
Fidelity staff members eagerly enrolled their children into the program and were required to submit report cards at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Students were rewarded based on their final grades, with some students receiving as many as 10 As.
Although the main objective of the Fidelity Pays for As program is to reward students for their academic achievements, the program also aims to promote active parental involvement in the academic success of their children.
"The response to the Fidelity Pays for As program has been spectacular. Parents are very proud that their children's efforts throughout the school year have been recognized by the company. We plan to increase the frequency of issuing rewards and expect a greater monetary pay out this school year, because we anticipate that parents and students will push harder to achieve more As knowing the rewards that await them," said Anwer Sunderji, chairman of the Fidelity Group of Companies.
The executives of Royal Fidelity have committed to continue the program next year, with optimism that it will be a driving force and motivational factor for the staff of Royal Fidelity and Fidelity Bank to become actively involved in the academic success of their children.

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