The credit union movement began with a simple idea - that people could achieve a better standard of living for themselves and others by pooling their savings and making loans to each others. The birth of the Credit Union movement in Dominica was greatly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, with Sister Alicia de Tremerie, a Belgium-born nun being recognized as the Founder. Credit unions are owned by the membership, making it one of the unique financial institution. Credit unions put service first and add lots of caring when offering services to their members. It is about “people helping people.” giving the people a better life and improving the communities. Like other credit unions world wide, the Grand Bay Co-operative Credit Union Limited is membership owned. It started in 1983 as a saving union under the leadership of pioneers such as James Alexander, Maurice Elizee, MariaJules, Bonti Liverpool and others. GBCCU began with 20 members and $200.00 worth of shares. It became a registered co-operative in 1986. GBCCU serves members from Grand Bay, Tete Morne, Dubique, Bagatelle, Petite Savanne and others in the vicinity.

The Kingstown Co-operative Credit Union Ltd was registered on the 12th April 1958 with a share capital of EC $ 253.98 and a membership of fifty three (53) persons. The Pioneers The late Bro. Thomas Saunders after his exposure to Co-operatives in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago pioneered the Credit Union movement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At first he found difficulty in convincing members of the public of the value and benefits of Co-operatives. The reluctance of the populace at the time could be traced in part to the collapse of a Credit Union Consumer Co-operative, which was attempted in the 1940’s. It was not until 1957 when Bro. Saunders spoke with a number of tailors, namely Bros. Jerome Burke Sr, Reynold Rose, Bertram Arthur and Leroy Adams that his message germinated.

As Gateway Assembly continued to experience growth and progress, the idea of establishing its own Credit Union was developed by Pastor Adrian Banfield. The members of the Assembly welcomed and embraced the opportunity; and In December 2005, Gateway Cooperative Credit Union was registered and began operations. From the period 2006-2008, Gateway Co-operative Credit Union operated through the assistance of volunteers. Throughout the period, 2009-2011 one of the volunteers was made responsible for posting daily transactions. In 2012, as the Credit Union continued growing, another volunteer joined the team to further assist with entering those transactions. Further advancement, led to the hiring of an External Accountant during the period 2012-2014.

River Salle Credit Union was registered on July 19, 1962. It began with seventeen dedicated members who started a cooperative which involved in Butter making. Mr. Mignon Thomas was the first president who was followed by Mr. Henry Aberdeen, other officers were Mr. Simon Charles as Secretary/ Treasurer and Mr. Augustine Peters as Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. Some of the other original members such Mr. Vaughn Mitchell, Mr. Hartley Buddy and Mr. Damian Joseph were also a part of the beginning Cooperative which included many more and of these who are active members to this date. The Credit Unions’ first primary office was located at the Benefit Society Hall at the River Sallee Junction, St. Patricks and has now moved to a more central location in the St. Patricks’ Parish. To this date the RiverSallee Cooperative Credit Union is very proud to have grown to almost three thousand active members with assets in excess of 12 Million EC Dollars.

OUR MISSION To provide low cost, efficient financial services to all our members, through sound financial management and education, while maintaining our co-operative principles.

It’s where you belong! We’re a member-owned, not-for profit financial cooperative serving salaried workers throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. With five branches island-wide, you can expect that your convenience and satisfaction are our priority. Owned and operated by Grenadians, GUTCU has remained committed to promoting financial literacy and giving back to the local community. Surplus earned is returned to members through dividends, competitive rates on savings and loans and reinvested in programmes that contribute to nation-building. The G.U.T. Credit Union began as the brainchild of Denise De Coteau who, in 1977, thought it necessary for teachers to have a financial cooperative. However, it was not until April 3rd 1983, after months of diligent and untiring efforts in framing, reframing, refining and redefining policies and by-laws that the credit union was finally registered. Mr. Thaddeus Mc Ewen was elected as the first president of the credit union. It is worthy to note that 1983 was a critical and pivotal period in the history of Grenada. Therefore the birthing of a financial organization at that time was indeed a tremendous challenge. The G.U.T Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, initially formed to serve teachers, opened its bond on 15th April, 2004 to include salaried members of the general public. The GUTCU has since welcomed Police and GCNA Credit Unions as part of its expanded family. Today, we have assets of over $190 million and our membership has grown to more than 12,000.

Since 1947, Ariza Credit Union (formerly Grenada Public Service Credit Union) has provided products and services that have improved the quality of life and well-being of our members. We are proud to say that we’re one of the longest standing and most outstanding Credit Union in Grenada. But, all that success would not be possible without you, and when we go out into our communities and work together with our members, it reminds us why we are leaders in the Credit Union sector in Grenada. We want to uphold the vision to maintain our role as a leader in being member focused, professional and innovative while collaborating with you. Our mission is simple – to improve the quality of life of all our members with financial solutions that have been tailored to their needs. Each day we take great strides towards the future, to create a positive financial service environment we like to call the ‘Ariza Experience’. As an extension of the Ariza Credit Union brand, we invite you to spread the word and show the world that we aspire to rise above and achieve financial freedom for all our members, through co-operation, commitment and care.

The initial operations of the Credit Union were conducted only on Saturday mornings at the shop of Mrs. Vida Darcheville and later at the Laborie Village Council Office. In 1979, the business was relocated to the Laborie Community Centre, where it remained until 1992. That year, with the assistance of Mr. Allan Renee it acquired its own building and moved to new premises on Allan Louisy Street. In 1999, the Laborie Credit Union opened a branch in Augier. The Laborie Co-operative Credit Union was established in August 1976 and registered on 22nd May, 1981. The idea was conceptualized after a number of community consultations and the recognition that the community needed to mobilize its financial and human resources on a self-help basis, for the development and improvement of the quality of life of the people of Laborie.