Premier Andre Ebanks has concluded a weekend of financial services meetings in Chicago and New York, suggesting a larger delegation should visit next year to strengthen business ties.
Ebanks met with legal practitioners from firms including Sidley Austin and Mayer Brown on Friday, 31 October, to discuss Cayman’s financial services products, before attending networking events in both cities through Sunday.
“Absolutely think it worth returning next year with a larger Cayman financial services delegation to boost business relations with Chicago based financial services professionals,” Ebanks said in a LinkedIn post.
The premier also met Irish foreign affairs minister Neale Richmond at a rugby match event in Chicago, noting potential for stronger relations between Cayman and Ireland as international financial centres.
In New York on Monday, 3 November, Ebanks attended a seminar at law firm Skadden’s offices discussing ‘Trends in the convergence of insurance and asset management’, which he described as generating “super positive vibes on Cayman’s positioning”.
The event was organised by Skadden along with Cayman Finance, the Cayman International Reinsurance Companies Association, law firm Harneys and corporate services provider CSC.
The trip concluded with the Walkers law firm’s 2025 New York Fundamentals event titled ‘Navigating new heights’ at The Plaza hotel, where Ebanks gave opening remarks.
The premier’s Chicago meetings marked an exploratory visit to a city where Cayman has traditionally had less financial services engagement compared to New York.
The meetings come as Cayman seeks to diversify its financial services relationships beyond traditional markets, with Chicago’s substantial legal and financial sectors representing potential new business opportunities.
