Transfer to a new forum under the federal venue statute requires that the transfer be Igor the convenience of the parties and witnesses [and) in the interest of justice." 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). Citibank and Citigroup bear the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that transfer is necessary. In re Charles Schwab & Co. Sec. Litig., 69 F.Supp.2d 734, 735 (D.Vi.1999) (citing Shutte v. Armco Steel Corp. 431 F.2d 22, 25 (3d Cir. 1970)). Although a trial judge is afforded great discretion in deciding this motion, he or she should not disturb a plaintiffs choice of forum unless the balance of factors strongly weighs in favor of transfer. Jackson v. Executive Airlines, Inc.. Civ. No.2000-121, 2001 WL 664673, *2, 2001 U.S. Dist. 8004 LEXIS at *7 (D.V.I. June 7, 2001). A defendant seeking a transfer will not overcome this presumption unless the defendant can prove that the "balance of convenience of the parties is strongly in favor of defendant." Sheltie.. 431 F.2d at 25. Among the factors to be considered in making this determination are: (1) plaintiffs choice of forum; (2) defendant's preference; (3) where the claim arose; (4) convenience to the parties; (5) convenience to witnesses—but only to the extent that the witnesses may actually be unavailable for trial in one of the fora; (6) location of books and records; (7) practical considerations that could make the trial easier, more expeditious, or less expensive; (8) congestion of the possible fora; and (9) the familiarity of the trial judge with the applicable state law in diversity cases. See generally Jumara v. State Farm Ins. Co.. 55 F.3d 873, 879-80 (3d Cir.1995). Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding this case, I make the following findings. First, Epstein and Financial Trust have selected this forum, and they are residents of the Virgin Islands with strong ties to this community. Epstein owns a seventy-acre island, and he and Financial Trust employ some twenty peo