BiMPay's Go-Live Delay: Your Questions Answered

Why is the rollout being delayed?      

The final stage of interoperability testing, where every participating institution's system must connect and communicate with every other institution's system, has taken longer than projected. We will not launch until that is done completely and correctly and we are satisfied that the new timeline allows for this. This will also allow for the completion of overlay features (e.g. QR code functionality)

Is there a problem with the BiMPay system?               

No. The BiMPay infrastructure is stable, secure, and tested. The delay is entirely a function of the time required to complete interoperability testing across all nine participating institutions.

Who is responsible for the delay?      

Implementing a national payment system across multiple financial institutions simultaneously is genuinely complex. The CBB has been direct with all participating institutions about what is required and the consequences of not meeting the milestones.

Was the original timeline too ambitious?     

The timeline was tight but achievable. What the final weeks of testing revealed is that completing interoperability across all institutions took longer than projected. The decision to delay rather than launch a system that is not fully ready is the right one.

Why wait until now to announce the delay?                

The CBB monitored progress closely and pursued every option to meet the original date. The decision was made as soon as it was clear the required standard could not be met by March 31. Acting responsibly means not announcing a delay prematurely, but also not proceeding with a launch that is not ready.

What is the new date and is it definitive?      

Friday, June 12, 2026. It is definitive. Binding milestones with enforcement consequences have been issued to all participating institutions. There will be no further extensions.

Will all features be available on June 12?    

Yes. Real-time payments, the BiMPay wallet, alias and proxy lookup, QR code payments, and Request-to-Pay will all be available at go-live. Every feature that was promised for phase one will be there on day one.

Can I still make electronic payments in the meantime?      

Yes. The existing Automated Clearing House continues to operate normally. There is no disruption to any existing electronic payment service.

How much has this project cost?         

BiMPay is funded by the Central Bank of Barbados. The Central Bank is not financed by the Government; we underwrite our own operations. What I can tell you is that this investment has built a fully functional national payment infrastructure that is ready to serve Barbadians. The delay does not represent wasted expenditure.

Is this related to the public servants' salary payment issue?            

No. That matter involved incorrect account numbers in the existing system. It is entirely unrelated to BiMPay, which is a separate system built in parallel with the existing infrastructure.

What happens to BACHSI?     

The gazetted decommissioning notice for BACHSI has been withdrawn. BACHSI will continue to operate through the transition period. It will be formally decommissioned once BiMPay goes live on June 12, 2026.