Staff at the Bahamas Development Bank celebrated the relaunch of the 42-year-old institution in July 2020. The multicolored hummingbird logo of the Bank combines flashes of red, blue, green, yellow and pink into a bright eye-catching image.

The new brand for the Bank was developed in consultation with BDB personnel who wanted the look and feel to support the vibrancy, agility and dynamism that they perceive is at the core of The “New” Bahamas Development Bank.

The hummingbird, an industrious native species, is known for its utility as a pollinator. Like The Bank, the bird stimulates growth and productivity.

As Troy Sampson, Business Development Manager stated, “ The new logo is emblematic of The Bank’s aspirations to be energetic and in perpetual motion to assist Bahamians in growing their ideas and dreams into real wealth for the future.”

Over the last 23 months, systems, processes and the culture at BDB have been rebuilt from the ground up. In a very real way, BDB has been transformed. For some staff members, the re-engineering has not come easily as they have been “stretched, pulled and pushed.” 

As Tadnisha Nixon, Legal Administration Officer commented, “When change comes at you, sometimes the first reaction is fear or resistance. But once you stop and reflect on the positive impact of what changing will bring, you can better embrace it, take the baton and run with it.” “This change has long been needed to shake up business as usual,” said Simone Duncombe of Banking Operations.

Alphege Turnquest, Senior Credit Risk Officer an eight-year veteran at BDB noted that the transformation reflected a resolution to legacy issues that had plagued the Bank for years, and that the old symbols, along with all of the former challenges, required a paradigm shift.

He looks forward to the magnitude of the changes at BDB being experienced by customers.

Fresh, modern and innovative were sentiments echoed by several employees. Ashley Outten, Financial Controller, was particularly optimistic that the transformation would support The Bank’s ability to fulfil its mandate.

Machara Tucker, Unit Head for Risk, Control and compliance noted that the modernity of the new brand would appeal to a wide range of clients.

The excitement at the Bank is palatable as renovations are underway at the new headquarters building that BDB has purchased on Key West Street and Robinson Road.

The open concept, modern design is reflective of the new Development Bank, that is culturally collaborative, closer to constituents and more responsive.

Devona Knowles, Human Resources Officer, found the kaleidoscope of colors in the new brand and the promise of the relocation invigorating. “The entire process has been refreshing. It feels as if BDB is truly evolving to bridge the gap between our history and the possibilities of what we are going to do.”

Through the myriad challenges, BDB as the National Development Bank remained focused on delivering on its mandate to be a catalyst for economic development across the entire archipelago.

BDB is now better positioned, agile and building its human capital to deliver on the structural changes of the past 23 months.