St. John’s Credit Union Expands to North Side
Members of Saint John’s Credit Union Limited no longer need to travel deep into the heart of Southside to do business at the Basra Street office in Belize City. In addition to its branches in Dangriga and Belmopan, the credit union today established a new office on the Philip Goldson Highway, sharing space with UNO gas station across from Courts. The location cuts down on the amount of time in line and will be open on Saturdays. News Five was there for the ribbon-cutting and Aaron Humes reports.
Aaron Humes, Reporting
With the Lord’s blessing – or at least that of Anglican Bishop Philip Wright – St. John’s Credit Union Limited was open for business this morning in its new Northside location on the Philip Goldson Highway.
Philip Wright
Philip Wright, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Belize
“The St. John’s Cathedral and the Anglican Diocese take some credit in the start of this credit union. And over the years it goes without saying that an institution like this has helped many people, especially at times the poor and those who need a helping hand. And this expansion to the Northside, I think, just simply speaks of the growth of the credit union and the fact that it is expanding its services to the general public.”
President of S.J.C.U.’s Board of Directors, Alvan Haynes, credits the need for a new office to a strategic expansion of growth in membership and services.
Alvan Haynes
Alvan Haynes, President, St. John’s Credit Union Limited
“Since 2012, as a direct result of executing our strategic plan, S.J.C.U. has experienced phenomenal growth in assets, loans and membership. Membership has increased by over fifty percent in this period, and assets and shares by over one hundred percent. Today marks the official inauguration of another milestone in our growth – one, which as Sister Brenda [Armstrong] mentioned, many members and prospective members have been clamoring for – for years, many of them.”
Guest speaker and former banker Mayor Bernard Wagner paid tribute to the organization’s humble origins and expressed interest in greater partnership.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“From its founding in a run-down St. John’s school classroom on Albert Street on November eighth, 1946, to its Basra Street location in 1984, to today’s symbolic opening here on the Philip Goldson Highway – my friends, through it all St. John’s Credit Union has continued to represent community-based goals; community-based vision; community-based values and character, while improving the social development of its members through the provision of high-quality, efficient, innovative and affordable financial services. It’s always important to nurture relationships, not only in the area of banking or credit union, but we want to be able to nurture all relationships with all our business associates across the City. We want to be known as a Council that caters for our business entities, for our business establishments. We want to send a clear message that listen, we are open for business; we are business-friendly, we want to work along with you to ensure that your business prospers and the city prospers.”
Now the work continues, according to general manager Daisy Dawson.
Daisy Dawson
Daisy Dawson, General Manager, St. John’s Credit Union Limited
“Let us continue the work to provide the efficient services that we need to do for our members, and to make sure that we keep on that sustainable growth, that we protect our members’ savings. We have to ensure that we do what is right – the regulator is here; and we have to make sure that we are doing the right things. They’re holding our hands along the way, we are on the right path; but we all have to work together as a team, including our members, including the business community. So we all have to work together.”
Aaron Humes reporting for News Five.
