How We Began
The General Employees’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd formerly “Government Employees’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd was duly registered on July 14th 1964 with sixteen (16) members. On August 6th of that same year, GECCU held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the late Bertrand R. Neehall presiding. From its humble beginnings, the credit union depended heavily on persons giving voluntary service for the Board of Directors and other Committees. While the credit union’s initial membership consisted mainly of civil servants, a resolution was passed in 1974 to extend membership to include direct relatives of members and on February 18th 2003, an official name change was done to extend the common bond to all Vincentians.
Over the years, GECCU has sought to expand the range of services offered in keeping with its vision and mission. Its continued commitment to providing members with access to safe, sound, inclusive and comparable financial services has allowed it to become one of the leading financial institutions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Historical Timeline
The Government Employees’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd was duly registered on July 14th, 1964, with sixteen (16) members. They were: Zina Garraway, Clem N. Iton, Charles Murray-Fraser, Bertrand Neehall, Ceford Providence, Milton Samuel, Robert Samuel, Moulton Williams, Arden Anderson, Beryl Baptiste, M.B.E, Elijay Baynes, Stanley Branch, Eardley Cato, Joyce Cox, Ercelle Cummings and Vibert DeShong.
On August 6th of that same year, GECCU held its first Annual General Meeting with the late Bertrand R. Neehall presiding. Among the attendees were the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. E.T. Joshua, Mr. A. Pannier (a credit union expert from Wisconsin, USA) and Mr. Thomas M. Saunders J.P, the acting Registrar. During this meeting, the Board of Directors and members of the various committees were elected to serve.
The elected board of directors were:
1. Mr. Ceford Providence (First Manager)
2. Mr. Bertrand Neehall (First Chairman of the Board of Directors)
3. Mr. Arden Anderson, and
4. Miss Beryl Baptiste M.B.E.
From its humble beginnings, the credit union depended heavily on persons giving voluntary service. Business was done in the various offices of the members of the committees, spaces were rented and finally in November of 1986, the Halifax House was purchased and since then, has remained the headquarters of the Credit Union.
GECCU’s initial membership comprised mainly of civil servants, police and teachers, although it
was open to any salaried government worker. It was soon realized however, that to make the
Credit Union successful, it had become necessary to widen the reach of the union. Therefore, at
the 10 th Annual General Meeting in 1978, a resolution was duly passed to extend membership
to include direct relatives of members. This move proved to be a very wise one. On May 13 th ,
1984 during the 20 th Annual General Meeting, a resolution was again presented by the late Bro
Calvin Nicholls O.B.E. for the further extension of the common bond to include all salaried persons.
The resolution was accepted after an amendment was made by Bro. William Harry –
“Salaried Persons” to read “Employees other than Government Employees”. This resulted in a
marked growth in membership and assets, which positioned the union to further expand its
services to members. Finally, on April 30 th , 2002 at the 36 th Annual General Meeting a resolution
was passed to have the “G” in GECCU be re-named “General” rather than “Government”.
In its continued commitment to providing improved members’ access to safe, sound, inclusive
and comparable financial services, GECCU opened three sub-branches: The Southern
Grenadines branch in Union Island (opened July 19 th , 1999), The Northern Grenadines branch
in Bequia (opened August 24 th , 2007) and the Georgetown branch (opened January 21 st , 2008).
In 2012, with the global economic recession affecting us here in SVG, GECCU amalgamated with
the South Rivers Credit Union (1 st October, 2012). It later amalgamated with the ULP Credit
Union and the Georgetown/MT. Coke Circuit Methodist Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (31st
December, 2013).
On the 9 th March, 2006, GECCU created history by becoming the first credit union in SVG to attain the enviable milestone of $100 million in assets, with membership of 21,032. GECCU again made history with the launch of its GECCU LINK 24 ATM service launched on October 16 th , 2008 which provides members with 24/7 access to their accounts at 12 different locations across SVG through the use of ATMs of the BOSVG.
Over the years, GECCU has managed to attract a very dedicated core of members who were willing to serve on the various committees. Their experience and dedication, together with a general membership body who were bold enough to demand changes of their union, have contributed significantly to the continuing evolution of the union. GECCU continues to play a leading role among unions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its record, so far, suggests that it will continue to successfully serve its members (and by extension the nation) well into the future.