FHCCU empowering its members
FIRST HERITAGE Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU) believes in offering practical financial solutions to its 11,500 members. Leading this prestigious financial institution is CEO Roxann Linton, a seasoned financial professional who spent her earlier years within the banking sector, both locally and internationally. In explaining her transition to the credit union, she said, “The credit union allows individuals to have access to more financial opportunities with a little less intimidation. We are familyoriented and we take pride in knowing every detail about our members’ lives.”
On August 1, 2012, Churches Co-operative Credit Union and GSB Co-operative Credit Union merged to form the new entity, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited. First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited now stands as on of the largest open-bond credit union in Jamaica.
FHC’S FOUNDATION
The FHC Foundation’s primary objective is to foster development among the youth in the areas of education, sports and skills training. “Our foundation believes in providing opportunities for our students from primary to tertiary level,” Linton revealed. “We offer PEP (Primary Exit Profile) and tertiary scholarships to outstanding students who are in need of financial assistance.”
The credit union, through its foundation, offers the prestigious Renald Mason and Oswald Thorbourne scholarships to members and children of members entering second to final year at a tertiary institution who are in good academic standing. However, the foundation also assists students who may not meet the necessary requirements. By providing special grants to these students, FHC’s vision statement ‘to transform lives through the creation of opportunities for the youth of Jamaica’ is reinforced.
FHC ASSISTING MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
The credit union is very much involved in providing entrepreneurs with the necessary capital needed for their businesses. In 2019, the FHCCU awarded three local start-ups just under $1 million. The awardees were Kevonne Martin, founder of Queritel; Devorue Junior, CEO of Real Cane; and Shani Bennett and Andre Wynter of JA Film, and the producers of the hit Jamaican TV series ‘Real Friends’. FHCCU instituted its Entrepreneur Awards in 2006, with 28 grants awarded to tertiary students and graduates with exceptional business plans and ideas.
“Our institution is more than just providing finances for those in need, we see ourselves as contributing to nation building,” Linton said. “In addition, our focus is to create meaningful partnerships with the micro, small and medium enterprise sector to grant them access to capital to grow their businesses,” she added.
First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union is family-oriented and member-centric, and an institution that constantly aims to provide members with the tools needed to attain their dreams.