The Government recently commissioned Sam Knowles to undertake a review of the Cook Islands Banking system.

The objective in undertaking the review was to define a long term strategy for the provision of banking services for the Cook Islands economy that will on a sustained basis:

•    lower the cost of banking for businesses operating in the Cook islands;
•    improve the accessibility to banking by Cook Islands businesses and residents;
•    provide the banking services necessary to support the major growth sectors of the economy; and
•    minimise the need for Government financial support to achieve the above.