The Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) has formally notified its customer base of an eight-day temporary shutdown of its Coolidge branch, scheduled to run from Wednesday, October 28, through Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in direct response to sweeping security and access restrictions implemented for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by Antigua and Barbuda. The decision to close the branch was deemed unavoidable by ECAB leadership, as the Coolidge district falls within a designated high-security zone for the international summit, which will welcome heads of government, ministerial delegations, and hundreds of official representatives from across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc between November 1 and 4. The surrounding area hosts key CHOGM event venues, including the Coolidge Cricket Grounds, the official site of the high-profile Commonwealth Business Forum, as well as proximity to V.C. Bird International Airport, prompting local law enforcement to roll out strict public access controls. These measures include manned police checkpoints, rerouted traffic lanes, temporary signage, and limited entry to the entire Coolidge precinct exclusively for pre-accredited CHOGM attendees, leaving the ECAB branch inaccessible to regular non-accredited customers for the full eight-day window. During the closure period, ECAB’s Coolidge branch night deposit service will be fully suspended, while the on-site ATMs at the location will only function for users holding official CHOGM accreditation, with no public access permitted. To minimize disruption to daily financial operations, the bank is proactively advising all regular Coolidge branch patrons to shift their transactions to alternative ECAB locations, including the Redcliffe Street branch in downtown St. John’s and the Nelson’s Dockyard location in English Harbour, or leverage the bank’s fully functional 24/7 online and mobile banking platforms for all remote transactions, from fund transfers to bill payments. Local police Superintendent Elson Quammie has separately clarified that V.C. Bird International Airport will remain fully operational for all commercial passenger traffic, despite the surrounding security perimeter, with travelers able to access the airport terminal as normal, though they are advised to allocate extra travel time to clear checkpoint screenings. ECAB’s official customer statement concluded with a public apology for any unplanned inconvenience the temporary closure may cause, and extended a note of gratitude to its customer community for their patience and understanding as the island nation hosts one of the largest international diplomatic events in its recent history.
ECAB to Close Coolidge Branch for Several Days Due to CHOGM Activities
