CEO of Scotiabank Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, Jabar Singh and President Luis Abinader / Presidency.
SANTO DOMINGO--In a high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace, President Luis Abinader met with Jabar Singh, CEO of Scotiabank Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, to reaffirm the financial institution’s long-term commitment to the country.
The discussion underscored the nation’s strategic importance within the global vision of the Toronto-based financial group, positioning the Dominican Republic as a primary hub for regional operations. Yet, few know that for the high-ranking bank executive it was a specially satisfactory homecoming meeting. Jabar Singh grew up in the Dominican Republic and the meeting and his new position are a career and personal high in many ways.
During the meeting at the Presidential Palace, the executives discussed the bank’s role in the country’s economic and social development, backed by 105 years of uninterrupted presence. The dialogue focused on how the country has evolved into a key market, driven by macroeconomic stability and increasing international integration.
Financial performance and market position
According to data reviewed during the meeting, Scotiabank RD demonstrated significant financial momentum:
*Net profit: At the close of 2025, the bank reached a net profit of RD 2,699 million.
*Growth: This represents a substantial 55% year-over-year increase.
*Market rank: The bank currently stands as the third-largest private bank in the sector by both loan portfolio and deposits.
*Total assets: The institution reported total assets amounting to RD$180,000 billion.
Economic climate and foreign investment
“The Dominican Republic shows notable economic dynamism, supported by a favorable business climate,” stated Jabar Singh. He noted that the country’s appeal to international stakeholders is evidenced by foreign direct investment (FDI) that exceeded USD 5,000 million in 2025. With growth prospects hovering near 4%, Singh indicated that these factors consolidate the country as a regional growth hub.
Strategic vision and future partnerships
Singh, who is entering a new phase of leadership at the helm of the Caribbean operations, emphasized that the presence of Scotiabank in the Dominican Republic is a long-term commitment rather than just a market. He expressed a desire to remain a strategic partner for the Dominican state, aligning the bank’s global expertise with national priorities such as:
*Competitiveness and sustainable investment.
*Financial inclusion and risk management.
*The design of efficient financial solutions for large-scale development.
Jabar Singh grew up in the Dominican Republic
Jabar Singh is a seasoned financial executive with over 20 years of experience in the banking sector. As of 1 January 2026, he officially assumed the role of Country Head for the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean at Scotiabank, overseeing operations in the Dominican Republic and executive responsibility for the broader Caribbean region (including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Bahamas). He joined Scotiabank in 2009 after working in Santo Domingo as business manager at Banco Lopez de Haro and in sales at Ho-Tech del Caribe, a hospitality management systems company.
His family came to the Dominican Republic when his father, the late Maharajah Jabar Singh and a legendary Indian polo player and member of the Jodhpur royal family, was hired to develop the equestrian sport of polo in La Romana’s Casa de Campo in the 1970s for Gulf & Western.
Singh went on to graduate in industrial engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santo Domingo. He has a Master’s in International Commerce from L’Universite Paris-Sorbonne, an associate degree in international business from State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland and an executive education degree from Duke University (Fuqua School of Business).
