IN 1949, Father Bernard C. Zimmerman, S.J. introduced the Credit Union idea to San Ignacio. The people of San Ignacio knew very little about the Credit Union
movement. Father Zimmerman got together a small group to whom he gave credit union classes every Sunday afternoon. These potential members, a mere handful, started bringing a few cents to save. Consequently, Manuel Aragon was appointed temporary treasurer.
Saint Martin's Credit Union received its Certificate of Inco;poration. Its license to operate as a Credit Union on May 2@,1949. The first Board of Directors consisted of President-Alfredo Zaiden, Vice-President-Wilfedo Zetina, Treasurer-Manuel Aragon, Secretary - Elena Awe and Education Director-Carolina
Bums.
At the beginning, collections were done every Wednesday night in the lower flat of the priest's residence in San Ignacio. Officers Meeting were held monthly and membership every two or three months. Loan protection and Life Savings Insurance were gotten in 1957 from Cuna in the United States of America through the Belize Credit Union League. In 1959, Saint Martin's purchased its own house and lot. With this new development, collection days were increased to three times a week, at night for the convenience of members, and so it went until 1975.