Banks leave their mark on the architecture of several Haitian cities

Commercial banks are the main bearers of a limited aesthetic modernity in many Haitian cities, according to Le National. The newspaper places this phenomenon over the last forty years, from 1986 to 2026. It adds that, for these institutions, this modernity goes hand in hand with solidity, security and prestige.

Headquarters dotting the capital

In Port-au-Prince, Place Geffrard is now shared between the Banque de la République d'Haïti and the Banque nationale de Crédit. In Pétion-Ville, presented as the new economic hub, Unibank owns several buildings that illustrate different architectural trends. In Delmas, the benchmark commune according to the newspaper, the most important building houses the head office of Sogebank.

Le National also encourages readers to look at the departmental capitals, where many towns bear the same mark.

Works of art in front of entrances

Since the earthquake of January 12, 2010, banks have been among the few institutions with a monument or an imposing artistic or sculptural creation, placed in front of the building or in its entrance. The newspaper cites the names of Philippe Dodard, associated with the Unibank in Pétion-Ville, and Ludovic Booz, associated with the Centre de Convention et de Documentation Antonio André, in Downtown, near the BRH.

What we don't know

The available text breaks off before the rest, which is reserved for registered readers. It gives neither the exact nature of the works, nor the precise role of the two names cited, nor the departmental capitals concerned. No bank or other party speaks in the accessible part of the article.