Both Sides of The Coin: The Story of The Central Bank of Barbados 1972-2017

v By Mr. Codrington’s own assertion, no history of an institution can be complete without recognizing the people that helped to build it. This is where his work really comes into its own. To be sure the success of the Bank has been its ability to attract some of the best talent available from amongst our very own and to nurture that talent both for the benefit of the institution and the country as a whole. Some names you will recognise immediately, others will become familiar as you read of their contributions to the Bank in a variety of capacities. Both Sides of the Coin has certainly given me a heightened appreciation of the role that the Central Bank has played in the economic development of Barbados. It should be required reading for all students of economics and is a valuable resource for those in finance, banking and commerce. Mr. Codrington records both the high and low points with the unvarnished clarity of an eyewitness whose modesty does not allow for his own sterling contribution to colour his recounting of the facts. Every facet of the Bank’s history is described in loving detail, from its raison d’etre to its impact on the Barbadian psyche and the collective understanding of our economy. The provocative questions he raises in the Epilogue merit serious consideration and further discussion: Will there be a Central Bank, in the sense that we now know it, 25 years from now? Will the institution be still relevant as the traditional concepts of money disappear, exchange controls become a thing of the past, the continued revolution in technology allows many different players to invade the central banking space and the calls for less government grow louder? Mr. Codrington must be applauded for what is clearly a labour of love, long in the making but brilliantly told. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P.