Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that a new financial institution will be launched in early 2026, fulfilling a campaign promise made more than two decades ago.

Speaking during his weekly Browne and Browne radio programme on Pointe FM, the Prime Minister confirmed that construction of the building to house the facility is nearing completion.

“The building that will house that finance centre, or credit union – whatever we eventually decide to call it – that building is near completion,” Browne said. “I can say definitively that by first quarter of 2026, we will launch our finance company.”

The financial institution will form part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalising the St John’s City West constituency, which Browne has represented since entering politics. He said the project was inspired by a desire to improve the housing conditions in the community.

“I’m not happy about what I’m seeing with all these derelict properties in the community,” he said. “To the extent I feel as though we have to make some legislative changes to further empower the government to deal with these derelict homes.”

Browne emphasised that the primary objective of the finance company would be to support housing renewal and redevelopment efforts in the area.

“I guarantee you, I’m gonna raise at least 5 million dollars before the end of this year. And we’re gonna launch a finance company,” he declared.

The move would mark the completion of what the Prime Minister described as his last outstanding commitment from his 1999 campaign platform.