Michael Lee-Chin Quotes

#1. The philosophy to 'buy and hold' is a philosophy that I use to manage funds.

Michael Lee-Chin

#2. Gold is a commodity; over the long run, as we look back, it has not been a good investment. You can't look at the intrinsic value of gold as you can a business. Gold doesn't give you cash flow, and, at the end of the day, cash flow is what is important. Gold doesn't give you dividends.

Michael Lee-Chin

#3. The mantra of the National Commercial Bank is 'building a better Jamaica.' If this bank is going to be everlastingly successful, it has to take on the ailments of this society.

Michael Lee-Chin

#4. If people perceive themselves as having very little opportunities to be fulfilled, then it cheapens their life and outlook. The solution is to reverse it; make sure they know opportunities abound.

Michael Lee-Chin

#5. From an early age my mother told me that there were so many of us that if I was to get anything in life I would have to get it myself. So I did.

Michael Lee-Chin

#6. My first playpen was a cardboard box.

Michael Lee-Chin

#7. I wouldn't be where I am, if not for Jamaica. My formative years were here. I wouldn't have the confidence that I have if I wasn't born here, because growing up here I knew I could become anybody I wanted to become. There was no ceiling on top of me.

Michael Lee-Chin

#8. My wealth came from growing businesses. I had wealth, but not liquidity. Basically I transferred illiquid shares of AIC for liquid shares of Manulife. Now I'm the biggest individual shareholder of Manulife.

Michael Lee-Chin

#9. Life is not linear; you have ups and downs. It's how you deal with the troughs that defines you.

Michael Lee-Chin

#10. I didn't generate my success by being a prognosticator. I developed my reputation building our businesses by building great businesses and making them more efficient.

Michael Lee-Chin

#11. Doing business in Jamaica is not easy, but it is rewarding.

Michael Lee-Chin

#12. Private equity has been the purview of super wealthy individuals and institutions.

Michael Lee-Chin

#13. You must look like a money person for clients to trust you.

Michael Lee-Chin

#14. I wouldn't have become an engineer, I wouldn't have done what I did, had a hand not been held out to me. I have to remember who helped me when I needed help. The people of Jamaica helped me. I can't forget that. I would be ungrateful if I forgot.

Michael Lee-Chin