Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Judith Bloomfield, operations manager of Sterling, welcomes Trevor Rhone to the Sterling Asset Management customer appreciation reception at Mona Visitors' Lodge.

Randy Bowman, Gleaner Writer

The Old Ruins at UWI Mona campus was on Thursday, January 17, the backdrop for Sterling Asset Management's customer appreciation function to say thanks for another 'sterling' year.

Despite the introduction of numerous unregistered investment schemes, two national elections and a change in government, Managing Director Charles Ross was proud to boast a 20 per cent increase in gross assets.

Internationally, on the other hand, "United States interest rates have fallen sharply, weakening the dollar, but benefiting range notes and Sterling's high- yield U.S. government agency bond fund," stated Ross. "But Sterling will continue to offer its clients the risk-adjusted returns in the market, with additional product offerings coming on stream to include investments that do well in recessionary times."

Outlined plans

Chief Operating Officer Mildred Moss outlined Sterling's plans for the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA), that also explained the absence of the trademark dolphin which would normally be on the invitations, etc. According to Moss, "Sterling has underwritten the production of a series of nine postcard images depicting endemic and endangered species found within the PBPA. The postcards will be launched and retailed islandwide in February with net proceeds directed to the C-CAM Trust Fund, established on behalf of the Portland Bight community."

With everyone up to speed with results of 2007 and plans for 2008, it was time to eat, drink and lyme.