There is a Christmas ballad that describes the holiday season as the most wonderful time of the year. CIBC FirstCaribbean is determined to give back to those for whom this sentiment might not be true, and for whom the Christmas spirit may be thwarted by difficult circumstances.

In its ongoing Christmas campaign, the Bank has made a pledge to distribute one percent of net retail sales made on its suite of Visa Classic and Visa Gold credit card products to charities in each of 15 countries across the Caribbean.

In Jamaica, the Diabetes Association of Jamaica has been adopted as that special charity. Founded in 1976 by the Lions Club of Kingston & St. Andrew to provide diabetes prevention and care to the public, the Association always welcomes donations from the community but is especially thankful for the “extra special pledge” from CIBC FirstCaribbean.

Executive Chairman of the Association, Lurline Less said that “this gift from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank is most timely. It will assist us in both primary and secondary programmes in particularly our provision of medicine to children aged 0-24 and increased screening of all age groups which can lead to early detection and improved treatment.”

According to Managing Director for Retail Banking, Rolf Phillips, the decision was an easy one that is in sync with the Bank’s continued commitment to a wide range of educational, humanitarian, youth development and entrepreneurship programmes that benefit a wide cross-section of people across the region.

Nigel Holness, Managing Director of CIBC FirstCaribbean said that the Bank had a special affiliation with the Diabetes Association of Jamaica and was always keen on supporting this very important cause.

The Christmas campaign will climax on 31st December, 2011 and thereafter the funds will transferred.