LICU Fires Yolanda Gomez
It was confirmed today that after twenty-four years of service, the Inmaculada credit Union was severing ties with Yolanda Gomez, it former general manager. The Board of Directors had placed her on administrative leave at the end of April 2015 but last week, following investigations by the Central Bank of Belize and the Financial External Auditor, the Board of Directions decided that there was enough to warrant her termination. A release issued today says that when she was first put on leave, there were “strong indications of non-compliance with proper banking procedures, coupled with improper and questionable decisions taken by Gomez during her tenure.” The specifics are not known but the credit union says it took the decision to safeguard the interests and resources of members-owners. While Gomez’s termination is a done deal, not too long ago, its membership held a demonstration demanding answers as to why Gomez had been suspended. Now, the credit union says all answers will be provided at its annual general meeting, but when that will happen is not known.
Very disheartened and disappointed to see one of the best General Managers of our Credit Union being treated in such a distasteful manner. What is more sad is to see the union operate as if it is a private business. The Credit Union is for the members and hence the members have the right to know why… The board does not act anonymously to the favor of minority as it is doing today. I strongly believe that if the board simply has a personal vendetta against keeping Mrs. Gomez as the manager, then they should at the very least honor her many years of dedicated and honorary service to the Members of Orange Walk La Inmaculada Credit Union. She has been there for many of us through the good and bad times, and does not deserve to be terminated in such an ungrateful manner and most certainly not by the hands of a few who that were given the privileged to represent us members at the board. And no, Mrs. Ena Martinez, I am not a family member….family or not, makes us no less of a member and owner of the Credit Union.