Bermuda's banking industry was on show for all to see on the international stage at the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) 2008 conference held in San Diego this week.

The Bank of Bermuda and Butterfield Bank both had booths at the event, a significant number compared to the rest of the world, which only had two, including Wells Fargo and Comerica Bank representing the North American contingent.

But the most important thing for them was the opportunity to meet up with some of their most valued clients - risk managers and captive owners - according to the Bank of Bermuda's head of banking Ashley Parker.

Mr. Parker, who was attending his first RIMS, admitted both the reinsurance and captive industry made up a significant part of the bank's business.

"For us, the insurance industry is all important, whether it is the reinsurers like the Aces and XLs of this world or the captive industry," he said.

"In terms of the impact on the Bank of Bermuda results, the captive industry is one of the key drivers.

"I sense this is supporting the whole jurisdiction effort and I am impressed by the way Bermuda gets out to RIMS and how we punch above our weight and get out the message that we are a jurisdiction to be reckoned with.

"We have the infrastructure and support that is needed in the insurance and reinsurance world and I think we need to continue the process because it reinforces our commitment to the industry and the support of all the key players."

Working the Bank of Bermuda booth as part of a team of seven, Mr. Parker said the bank has also been focussing on what it can do to improve its presence and the way it does business at the conference for years to come.

"The interesting thing for us is that it enables to focus on the captive industry is a key part of the business," he said.

"It is about how do we partner up with the leaders of the industry and make sure we are at the forefront of what they need from a banking perspective.