The Inception
1947- Literature on Credit Unions was distributed by the late Daisy Bryan, a social welfare officer, to members of the Civil Service Association. That same year the first two (2) credit unions were formed- Grenada Civil Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited followed by Seamen and Waterfront Workers Credit Union Limited.
1954- Formation of four (4) credit unions in St. David- Perdmontemps Co-operative Credit Union Limited, Vincennes Co-operative Credit Unions Limited, Ashenden Co-operative Credit Union Limited and Marlmount Co-operative Credit Union Limited.
1957- The Government of Grenada introduced legislation and a Department of Co-operatives was set up to regulate and protect Co-operative development.
Formation of the League
1958- The Grenada Co-operative Credit Union League Limited was formed and registered. -The Grenada Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited (formerly the Civil Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited), became the first registered member of the League.
Growth and Development
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- 1962
River Sallee Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 1965
Communal Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 1966
Birchgrove Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 1967
Hermitage Co-operative Credit Union Limited and Grenville Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as members of the League
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- 1982
Development of a plan for self-sufficiency, assisted by the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions
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- 1983
Establishment of a Development Fund with assistance from the Canadian Co-operative Association Co-operative Development Fund (CDF) Grenada Union of Teachers Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 1984
Establishment of a Central Finance Facility to assist affiliates to meet the growing needs of their members
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- 1985
Negotiation of the Quota Share Insurance members benefit programme with CUNA Mutual
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- 1988
Mrs. Edna Evans receives the award for “Meritorious Service to the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions”
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- 1991
Establishment of a programme “Office Development Project” funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
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- 1992
Introduction of the “Gemini Project” involving River Sallee and St. George’s Communal Credit Union
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- 1993
Strategic Planning session held
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- 1996
GTAWU Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 2000
Geo F. Huggins Employee Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 2005
Gateway Co-operative Credit Union Limited registered as a member of the League
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- 2016
Grenada Public Service Co-operative Credit Union rebranded to Ariza Credit Union
Mergers and Amalgamations
Over the last two (2) decades, the Movement has witnessed the merging of a number of credit unions:
- Tivoli, Seamen, Christian, Western/St. Mark’s, Police and GCNA merged/amalgamated with GUT Co-operative Credit Union.
- Perdmontemps, Vincennes and SDA merged/amalgamated with Communal Co-operative Credit Union.
- Richmond Hill Co-operative Credit Union and St. Patrick’s Co-operative Credit Union merged/amalgamated with Ariza Credit Union.
The League’s First Manager
Mrs. Edna Evans
The first League Manager was Mrs. Edna Evans from the parish of St. David. She was a member of the first Board of Directors in 1958. Mrs. Evans was involved with the Credit Union Movement since its infancy stage and was instrumental in bringing the credit union idea to St. David. She was a member of a Current Affairs class conducted by Mr. C.A. Martineau, a Master at The Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS). It was information received in this class that Mrs. Evans and her colleagues began setting up credit unions in Perdmontemps, Vincennes, Ashenden and Marlmount.Mrs. Evans worked very hard to put the Credit Union Movement on the pinnacle on which it now stands and is recognized as one of the pioneers of the Credit Union Movement in Grenada and regionally. Her favourite line after her weekly radio programmes was “Join a Credit Union, it is where you belong.”
The First Board President and Board of Directors
Mr. Frederick Mc Dermott Coard, JP
1ST Board President, 1958-1966
1st Board of Directors, 1958
Standing L-R: Mr Norris James, Mr W. Ross, Mr Arthur Ramsey
Sitting L-R: Mrs Edna Evans, Mr Frederick Mc Dermott Coard, Mr. S.F.L. Cyrus
