Gerald Anthony Reid Wight has joined First-Caribbean Jamaica as director of corporate banking, a slot that became vacant after Clovis Metcalfe was named head of the bank.

Wight has worked in finance for 15 years, the last three of which were with National Commercial Bank.

His appointment was effective January 23.

In his three years with NCB, "Gerry closed over $20 billion in landmark corporate deals in Jamaica and the Caribbean," said First-Caribbean.

In making the announcement, FirstCaribbean not only trumpeted Wight's 15 years of experience in international finance, but also his sporting exploits.

Gerry the sportsman

"A Jamaican, Gerry is well-known for his sporting successes in badminton and squash," the bank said.

"He represented Jamaica at the Caribbean Badminton Champion-ships, where he won the Under 17 singles title in 1984 and in 2007 won the Mens 'B' division title at the All-Jamaica squash tournament."

Otherwise, he has worked in finance in Jamaica, and overseas in Miami and New York.

He left finance in the early 1990s to work with his family on different business projects, but got back in the game mid-decade to take up the job of relationship manager at Citibank in New Kingston.

Two years later, in 1998, Wight migrated again to work and study law.

He returned with his family seven years later, in 2005, to work with National Commercial Bank - Jamaica's largest commercial bank by assets, totalling $288 billion across the group and equity of $32 billion.

Comparatively, FirstCaribbean is No. 4 of the seven commercial banks, with $43 billion of assets, and $6.5 billion of equity.

Wight was also once a military officer and platoon commander in the National Reserve, under the Third Battalion of the Jamaica Defence Force.

He is also a golf enthusiast and yachtsman, with membership in the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and the Liguanea Club.

business@gleanerjm.com