We have grown over the years

THE ST Elizabeth Co-operative Credit Union set out from the early 1970s to take the co-operative message and philosophy to every nook and cranny of the parish.

Over the period of 45 years, the service centres grew from one to four, and as the years progressed, services were being offered via the use of the latest technology, including telephones, computers, access cards, ATM, and most recently, the Conec Mobile Wallet.

During the second decade, the credit union introduced the use of participatory management process and then implemented the planning implementation and evaluation system. This included an annual strategic planning process that involved volunteers, management and staff of the credit union.

The focus on growth over the years placed specific emphasis on the following areas: savings loans asset membership In international development, the credit union movement is classified as a peoples’ organisation. Credit unions were formed in the early 1940s by citizens who were concerned that the ordinary man in the street could not gain access to financial services.

Coming out of the antagonist experience in Nova Scotia, Father John P. Sullivan, the father of the credit union movement in Jamaica, introduced the unique approach that he learnt from Father Moses Coady. The latter was known as the Man from Margaree who educated the entire maritime region of Nova Scotia about development of the community by “pulling up your own boot straps”.

St Elizabeth is one of 29 credit unions in Jamaica. A movement which proudly boasts a membership of