Institute will continue its commitment to education by pursuing a programme designed to benefit bright young bankers.

N Ms Beth Vesey, Bank of Butterfield manager, International, was elected president on Thursday, taking over from Mr. Colin Furr, who is Butterfield's executive vice president in the corporate management department.

A new slate of officers was elected at the annual general meeting, including James Hallett, who replaces Ms Vesey as vice president of the three-year-old organisation that seeks to better educate bankers through an educational programme.

The three banks, together with support from the Bermuda Monetary Authority, are promoting the concept of education for bankers. The Institute offers night programmes at the Bermuda College and encourages young bankers to attend.

An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualified college professor from the UK has been brought in to train bankers.

A series of courses is being offered through the college under the Adult Continuing Education Programme, including economics and business communication. It is hoping to soon provide a course on bank law.

Ms Vesey said, "We have a good framework to get a solid education programme together for bankers. I will be working with the other players to get the details together and get the programme properly promoted within the banks.

'' Ms Vesey has been at the Bank of Butterfield since January 1993, after three and a half years at the Bermuda Monetary Authority as manager of the financial services division. Before that she was with the Bank of Bermuda for five years, in trust administration.

CIB BOSS -- Ms Beth Vesey.