Timothy Fraser-Smith

Timothy Fraser-Smith, who has died aged 63, had a distinguished career in banking and was a much respected figure in the Bahamas since joining Deltec Bank & Trust in 2000 as chief executive. He died after falling from the roof of his house in Nassau, New Providence, while trying to fix an unhinged shutter during Hurricane Sandy.

At Deltec, a private bank with specialist knowledge offering advice on investments, tax and property to international clients, Mr Fraser-Smith gained a deserved reputation for prudent and balanced financial counsel, drawing on his considerable experience in law and financial management.

Deltec's chairman Jean Chalopin, commenting on the news of Mr Fraser-Smith's death, said: "Everyone – employees, associates and clients – appreciated Tim's integrity, great professionalism, sense of humour and friendship. Tim was a well-known and much-loved figure within the private banking community, not only in Nassau but in the various financial centres where he had worked."

Timothy John Fraser Smith was the son of SW Fraser-Smith CBE, MC, who had a distinguished career in the Colonial Service. He attended firstly Lime House Preparatory School in Cumbria and then, from 1963, Glenalmond College in Perthshire, where Mr Fraser-Smith made a strong impression and was both captain of the school and the 1st XV. He led the XV when the school made a rugby tour of Canada in 1967.

Bill Crow, then master in charge of rugby, wrote of Mr Fraser-Smith at the time: "His greatest contribution was as captain: clear-headed and seldom under pressure, he pulled the side together on many important occasions. He was responsible for much of the success of the tour."

Mr Fraser-Smith had a gap year touring South Africa (much of it spent working on a building site) then took an MBA at Cranfield Business School in Bedfordshire. After reading law at Edinburgh University in 1972 he joined Grindlays Bank in the City of London. Further postings in the Grindlays corporate banking divisions followed in Lebanon, Pakistan, Greece, New York and Hong Kong.

In 1984, ANZ acquired Grindlays and Mr Fraser-Smith was appointed to be in charge of their private banking activities in Switzerland. He remained with ANZ, working in London and Jersey, before returning to Switzerland to spend more than two years there as head of wealth management.

Shortly after he joined Deltec in 2000, the bank expanded its shareholder base and Mr Fraser-Smith's expertise in international law and corporate affairs played an important part in the bank's expansion. Deltec had become recognised for its expertise in the management of funds for international clients and Mr Fraser-Smith was at the forefront of extending the firm's international client base.

Mr Fraser-Smith was a devoted family man. His mother-in-law, Jo Smith, remembered him fondly when she said: "Tim was a great guy – the rock of the family. If anybody had any problems they would send for Tim."

He was much respected in the business community in the Bahamas and in his previous positions. Mr Fraser-Smith had a strong sense of loyalty towards his work colleagues and to his clients and was recognised as a man of impeccable rectitude and probity.

Mr Fraser-Smith is survived by his wife Hilann and their two children, Dominic and Tiggy.