Ms. Abena S. Agard is a dedicated compliance and financial professional of over 10 years’ experience with an extensive regulatory background and knowledge of regulated financial institutions and capital markets in Barbados. She is a Senior Analyst within the Securities Division at the Financial Services Commission – Barbados (FSC) and acted in a senior role as the de facto group leader in the FSC’s anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism and proliferation financing (AML/CFT & PF) Unit, under the direct purview of the General Counsel. In her capacity as Senior Analyst, Securities, Ms. Agard supports the Manager, Securities to ensure the regulatory compliance of financial institutions regulated for securities, mutual fund and fund administration business by supervising junior staff and overseeing a portfolio of financial institutions. She developed targeted guidelines for the securities and mutual funds industry regarding inter alia AML/CFT & PF, corporate governance and repurchase agreements, and participated in the formulation of policies to support reform to the securities and mutual fund legislation.

Within the AML/CFT & PF Unit, Ms. Agard’s responsibilities included the supervision of financial institutions with respect to AML/CFT & PF compliance and leading and conducting risk assessments, desk based reviews, and onsite inspections. Ms. Agard also made substantial contributions to the development and implementation of the FSC’s AML/CFT & PF risk based framework applicable to the securities, credit union and insurance sectors. She has contributed significantly on AML/CFT & PF national task forces and international assessments of Barbados’ financial sector conducted by the Financial Action Task Force and the International Monetary Fund respectively. In addition, Ms. Agard has designed and delivered tailored AML/CFT&PF training for insurance companies, securities companies and credit unions. Prior to joining the FSC, Ms. Agard also gained extensive expertise within the financial services industry having worked at reputable institutions within both the private and public sectors, including the Central Bank of Barbados, Sagicor Financial Corporation and Cidel Bank and Trust Inc.

Ms. Agard is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, a member of the ACAMS CTMA Task Force and serves as the Vice-Chair of the International Forum for Investor Education/ Americas Caribbean Working Group. She is a founding Board member and the current communications director of the ACAMS Barbados Chapter. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of the West Indies in Economics and Accounting as well as an Associate Degree in French, Italian and German for business and tourism from the Barbados Community College. Ms. Agard has served on several Boards for non-profit organizations and been featured as a presenter locally and regionally on matters related to financial management and AML/CFT & PF.