From Loans to Mas Bands: SVBLA’s Big Role in Vincy Mas 2025

By S.Browne. Updated 11:50 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

This year’s Vincy Mas was not only a celebration of culture but also a showcase of corporate commitment, with the St. Vincent Building & Loan Association (SVBLA) playing a visible role in supporting Vincentian culture.

From funding Carnival and summer dreams to supporting some of the most decorated bands and events of the season, SVBLA’s involvement in Vincy Mas 2025 was far-reaching and widely felt. At the centre of everything was the Tun Up De Vibes campaign, a loan initiative designed to help Vincentians access up to $10,000 for Carnival, summer plans, regional travel, vacation and staycations. The loan, launched ahead of the Carnival season, gave hundreds of Vincentians the financial flexibility to participate more fully in the festivities.

Beyond finance, Building & Loan lent support to a number of high profile Carnival events, including A.M. Jambouree: Journey to Mumbai, a premium breakfast event that drew attendees from across the country; Solaris, a vibrant sunrise breakfast event and Country Meets Town J’ouvert Band, known this year for its ‘Midnight Blue’  theme, a nod to late night revelry in pyjamas and paint.  In addition, SVBLA supported Diesel Mas T-shirt band, a Monday T-shirt band, further extending its footprint into the road experience.

Notably, two of the season’s most popular mas bands: Blondie Bird and Friends and Nelson Bloc were sponsored by SVBLA. Blondie Bird and Friends earned top honours, including Band of the Year and multiple sectional wins, while Nelson Bloc also performed well in various sectional competitions, including winning the Uptown Competition/Mas on the Move.

SVBLA threw its support behind the next generation of cultural talent, sponsoring two young performers from the St. Joseph’s Convent in this year’s Junior Calypso Competition. Among them was Zion Lewis, who went on to shine brightly and emerged as the winner of the competition, a reminder of the importance of investing in youth and preserving the calypso artform for generations to come.

Beyond sponsorships, SVBLA created its own Carnival inspired experiences at its headquarters in Kingstown. The Carnival Open Day invited customers to celebrate in a festive atmosphere while learning more about the Association’s offerings. Meanwhile, the SVBLA Carnival Marketplace brought together local businesses, vendors and members of the public for a day of shopping, promotions and cultural celebration.

As the Carnival music fades and costumes are packed away, SVBLA’s presence during Carnival 2025 leaves a lasting impression of support, connection and celebration of the Vincentian spirit.

This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the St. Vincent Building & Loan Association.