(Trinidad Guardian) Chief executive officer of First Citizens Group, Larry Howai, is T&T’s new Finance Minister. Howai could not be reached for comment but First Citizens in a statement confirmed: “Mr Howai has decided to be of service to the country by taking up this national assignment as Minister of Finance.”
Commenting, Ronald Harford, chairman of Republic Bank Limited said he was not surprised by the appointment. “We all know Howai has done an excellent job at First Citizens. It’s risen in stature under his reign. He is well-qualified. We wish him the best. Based on his track record he has great promise.”
Replacing Howai at First Citizens is Larry Nath who will act as deputy chief executive officer of the group until the position gets filled. “The board considered the matter and felt that since Mr Nath has significant experience in banking operations at executive and senior management levels for more than a decade, he will be more suitable to act in the position,” the release said.
ABOUT LARRY HOWAI
1997 to current
• Chief executive officer of the First Citizens Group
• Chairman—National Gas Company of T&T
• Vice-president—Bankers’ Association of T&T
• Director—Trinidad Publishing Co Ltd; T&T Unit Trust Corporation; Home Mortgage Bank; Power Generation Company of T&T; Environmental Management Authority; United Way of T&T; Habitat for Humanity
• Served on the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the University of the West Indies
• 30 years experience in the financial services industry
• Named most admired CEO in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003
• Former president of the Bankers’ Association of T&T
• Attended UWI and obtained a BSc, Economics
• Qualified Certified Management Accountant
• Fellow of the Institute of Banking of T&T
