Guyana’s banking sector is preparing for a significant transformation with the introduction of a new real-time payment system, FASTA, scheduled to go live on June 2, 2026. This announcement was made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s 190th Anniversary Dinner held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The FASTA system is designed to enable customers at participating banks to send and receive money instantly through mobile phones or internet banking platforms. President Ali highlighted that transactions, which previously relied on clearing cycles or branch-level processing, will soon be completed within seconds. This initiative is expected to decrease reliance on cash, lower transaction costs for households and businesses, and enhance the speed and convenience of daily financial transactions.
In addition to FASTA, the government is advancing Guyana’s integration into India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI), a digital payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India. UPI processes billions of transactions monthly in India and utilizes a Virtual Payment Address system for secure transfers without revealing sensitive bank account information. President Ali stated that the collaboration with the Government of India will facilitate the connection of UPI with Guyana’s expanding digital payments ecosystem.
Together, FASTA and UPI are anticipated to position Guyana at the forefront of digital financial transformation in the region, fostering a faster, safer, and more inclusive payment environment for both citizens and businesses.
Furthermore, President Ali announced that the Bank of Guyana has granted licenses to three international financial institutions—Citibank, Crown Agents, and One American—to operate locally. Although these institutions will not engage in retail deposit-taking, their presence is expected to enhance Guyana’s access to international capital markets, trade finance, corporate advisory services, and development financing. The President described these approvals as indicative of confidence in Guyana’s macroeconomic stability and regulatory credibility.
Ali also noted the robust performance of the local banking sector, with private sector credit experiencing a year-on-year growth of 20.4 percent in 2025. Growth was observed across various sectors, including construction, agriculture, wholesale and retail, and services, reflecting a diversified economic development.
He commended GBTI for its proactive approach in preparing for what he termed a new golden era of banking, emphasizing the bank’s rapid modernization and its efforts to build systems that cater to both current and future demands. GBTI, celebrating 190 years of service, is recognized as one of the oldest financial institutions in the Caribbean, with historical ties to the Colonial Bank era.
During the event, President Ali congratulated the management, staff, and directors of GBTI for their significant contributions to financial services and national development as Guyana approaches its 60th anniversary of independence. GBTI Executive Chairman and CEO Suresh Beharry also addressed the attendees, which included First Lady Arya Ali, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr.
Source: hgptv.com
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