Eldon Trimingham

Investors who bought Bank of Bermuda stock recently in anticipation of a favorable government decision that would allow its shares to be listed on an overseas stock exchange have been rewarded.On December 8, 2000, Bermuda Minister of Finance Eugene Cox publicly disclosed that the bank, which is generally considered to be the biggest offshore bank, had been given an exemption from the law that prohibits foreign ownership of local companies to exceed 40 per cent.

A decision on whether to sue some of Bermuda's most influential local businessmen for millions of dollars, stemming from the collapse of Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance, is expected to be made over the next couple of months. At stake is over $100 million owed to creditors of Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance and the credibility of Bermuda's regulatory and legal system in relation to protecting the rights of foreigners doing business with Bermuda-based insurers and reinsurers.