Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited continues to deliver upon a 2018 promise for additional shareholder engagement with the successful hosting of the 8th Annual J.B. Renwick/Arnold Williamson Shareholders’ Outreach Forum. The well-attended outreach forum, themed Building a Fit-for-Purpose Board of Directors, was held on June 18th, 2025.
Darryl Braithwaite, Chairman of Co-op Bank’s Board of Directors, explained the importance of this year’s theme in his welcome to the shareholders. “Today, more than ever, the success and sustainability of our institution depend not only on operational excellence or financial performance but on the strength, vision, and integrity of Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited’s performance. A board that is fit for purpose must be composed of individuals with the right mix of skills, experience, and foresight to guide Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited through an increasingly complex financial environment. This is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic asset.”
Trevor Blake, Managing Director of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, led the discussion on what constitutes a fit-for-purpose Board of Directors. In his presentation, Mr. Blake explained the purpose of the Board of Directors and the roles of individual directors, and offered insight into the best practices for recruiting, onboarding and evaluating directors. This year, longstanding shareholders were presented with the inaugural J.B Renwick/Arnold Williamson Meritorious Award for decades of active engagement and unwavering commitment to the Bank.
The annual shareholders’ outreach forum fulfils Co-op Bank’s commitment to engage shareholders beyond the Annual General Meeting and create an avenue for the Bank to share information and receive valuable feedback from its shareholders. Over the last eight years, outreach forums have featured important topics of interest for shareholders, such as understanding shareholders’ rights and obligations, understanding and utilizing financial statements and annual reports, shareholders’ activism, and building wealth.
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces the renewal of its sponsorship of Commancheros Steel Orchestra. The new contract, signed on Monday May 26, 2025, extends the relationship between Co-op Bank and the St. Paul’s based steel orchestra for another three years.
“We are extremely proud to continue our relationship with Commancheros Steel Orchestra,” commented Willvorn Grainger, Chief Experience Officer at Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited.
“They have represented our Bank with distinction, not just in competition, but in their innovative approach to promoting and developing the steel pan culture in Grenada. We look forward to being part of the journey for another three years.
The sponsorship relationship, established in 2022, aligns with Co-op Bank’s community outreach pillar to support culture and the performing arts in Grenada. As Grenada’s only indigenous bank, Co-op Bank is committed to the holistic development of the people of Grenada. Recognizing the significant contribution of culture and the performing arts to national development, the Bank is proud to support culture and arts-based initiatives.
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited extends best wishes to Co-op Bank Commancheros as they prepare for the 2025 Panorama season, which culminates on August 9, 2025, Pantastic Saturday.
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, the Bank of the Diaspora, participated in the inaugural Grenada Day celebrations in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday May 25, 2025. The Bank’s participation in the Grenada Day celebration, organized by the Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique Association of Georgia (GCPAG), is part of the Bank’s strategy to strengthen relationships with customers in the Grenadian diaspora.
“As the Bank of the Diaspora, we are always exploring new avenues to engage with our customers who do not reside in Grenada. After a positive reception at the Grenada Day events in New York in 2023 and 2024, we actively looked for additional opportunities to meet our diaspora customers where they are,” explained Mr. Gary Sayers – Executive Manager, Sales & Service.
The Grenada Day Atlanta celebration featured a variety of attractions, including cultural performances, giveaways and delicious Grenadian food. Co-op Bank’s booth highlighted the Bank’s products and services, including wealth management and financial services. Especially important for the diaspora audience, the Bank’s team members demonstrated the alternative banking channels allowing customers to bank where they are with ease. Co-op Bank also used the opportunity to gather data, feedback and suggestions to better understand the diaspora experience and their banking needs.
The Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique Association of Georgia (GCPAG) was established to fulfill the mission of sharing its culture and resources to unify the Grenadian community in the Metro Atlanta area. Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited was proud to support the inaugural Grenada Day celebration and looks forward to continued partnership with the Grenadian diaspora in Georgia.
St. George’s, Grenada – May 15, 2025 – For the tenth year, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited was the title sponsor of the Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture Series, presented in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus Grenada, to fulfill their mandate for public advocacy and engaging community.
Grenada Co-operative Bank has sponsored the Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture Series since its inception in 2015. Delivering welcome remarks at the lecture on May 6th, Mr. Willvorn Grainger, Co-op Bank’s Chief Experience Officer, explained the Bank’s commitment to this lecture series. “As Grenada’s only indigenous commercial bank, with a vested interest in the development of our country, we take our role as a local institution seriously. This is why Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has education as one of its major pillars of corporate social responsibility and continues to support initiatives like these. We want to afford our population the opportunity to hear from subject matter experts and be edified on topical matters.”
The 2025 Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture was presented by Dr. Godfrey St. Bernard, a renowned regional and international demographer and social statistician. During his presentation, Dr. St. Bernard explored the theme “Harnessing People, Data, and Information Systems for Sustainable Development Trajectories in 21st Century Grenada” and emphasized the importance L-R: James Bristol, K.C.; Dr. Godfrey St. Bernard; Willvorn Grainger, Chief Experience Officer, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited of holistic data collection to make decisions. “Development, first and foremost, is about the people. And we need to understand who are these people, how many of them exist, and how they are located in spaces,” explained Dr. St. Bernard. “Census taking and sample surveys are critical imperatives if you have to meet the needs of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, especially in terms of facilitating some of the ideals that will permit us to begin to gauge issues of equality, equity and to what extent we are moving towards social justice.”
The Carol Bristol Distinguished Lecture Series acknowledges the contributions of the late Carol Bristol, QC, who served as chairman of the UWI Global Campus territorial advisory committee. “The linchpin of any successful society is education,” remarked Mr. James Bristol, KC. “This lecture series is part and parcel, and one of the many spokes in that wheel of education.” Grenada Co-operative Bank continues to contribute to the success of our society through educational initiatives, including annual scholarships and special education savings and financing solutions with unique features to meet the population’s varying needs. This, according to Mr. Grainger, is to “ensure that our people are well poised to first develop themselves and then to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Grenada.”
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, Grenada’s only indigenous bank, is proud to announce that the 2025 Pump It Up Family Fun Walk has raised more than $69,000 for the Princess Royal Hospital in Carriacou. Now in its 14th year, the Pump it Up Family Fun Walk is a staple on the Bank’s schedule of community activities to promote vibrant and physically active lifestyles.
The 2025 Pump It Up season started in Carriacou on April 6th with an exuberant crowd that, even with the signs of Hurricane Beryl still visible, exceeded all expectations as Pump it Up walkers of all ages completed the route from Harvey Vale to Hillsborough. At the end of the walk, Co-op Bank presented $5,000 to Mrs. Marisa Mc Lawrence, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Princess Royal Hospital.
contribution for the Carriacou event to Mrs. Marisa Mc Lawrence, Princess Royal Hospital
The Grenada Pump it Up walk, held on May 4th, attracted more than 5000 people for the walk from the Morne Rouge playing field to Kirani James Athletic Stadium. Most of the participants followed the normal route; however, some walkers tackled the challenge route – up Lowther’s Lane, down Marrast Hill and through River Road.
contribution for the Grenada event to Dr. Nicole Forte, Ministry of Health
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Willvorn Grainger, Chief Experience Officer, announced the total amount secured for the Princess Royal Hospital. “The Bank will contribute $1.50 per mile for each registered person on our Pump it Up Family Fun Walk. This year, we had 5,260 persons registered for the Grenada event: 5,060 for the regular route at 3.5 miles and 200 for the challenge route at 4.75 miles. With donations included, Co-op Bank is pleased to contribute $31,051.00 to the Princess Royal Hospital in Carriacou. When we add the corporate partners’ contributions and the proceeds from the Carriacou event, the total amount secured for the Princess Royal Hospital is $69,051.00.” Dr. Nicole Forte in the Ministry of Health accepted Co-op Bank’s contribution.
Every year, the Pump It Up Family Fun Walk is organized and executed by a team of staff volunteers. This year, members of staff participated in building excitement for healthier lifestyles with a step count competition and “Sneaker Fridays” throughout April.
The Princess Royal Hospital joins the eight organizations and institutions that have benefitted from the Pump It Up Family Fun Walk since its inception in 2009. Pump It Up is part of Co-op Bank’s Healthier Lifestyles programme, which aims to encourage a preventive approach to health issues and make information available to the public about health matters.
Smart home technology is transforming the way we live. Thanks to this technology, you can turn lights on and off from the couch, unlock doors without a key, or even wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee. In a smart home, devices and appliances are controlled automatically or remotely through an internet connection to create an optimal living experience.
Homeowners choose to automate their homes for a variety of reasons, with some of the most common being energy efficiency, safety and security. Additionally, smart home features can be utilized to create accessible environments for the elderly and differently abled. While home automation is intended to make life simpler, creating a smart home is a little more complex than buying new devices and connecting them to the internet. So, before you venture into home automation, here are a few things you should know so you can make the most of the technology.
Whether you are building a new home or transitioning your existing one, careful planning is a critical component of home automation. A great way to start is figuring out how much, or how little, automation you want in your home. Some smart homeowners opt for simple setups that control lights and security cameras. Others go a little further and also automate door locks and indoor climate control. And others go all out, automating lights, sound systems, full security systems, smart appliances, indoor climate control, window shades and more.
If you’re building a new home, let your architect know about your intentions to automate so that locations for security cameras and motion sensors, for example, can be factored into the design. This will ensure that devices are placed in the most effective locations to minimize blind spots and maximize coverage. While it seems like Wi-Fi is all we hear about these days, hardwired connections remain the best choice for reliability and security and should be included in the plans as well. Depending on the level of automation, you will also need to designate an area, like a small room or hallway, as the hub where all the network cables meet.
If you are thinking of adding smart features to your current home, make sure to evaluate the existing infrastructure before investing in new smart devices or technology. This will help you make an informed decision about the technology best suited for your home. And, if necessary, make some adjustments, like adding electrical outlets or installing multiple wireless routers, to maintain coverage throughout the house and make the best use of the smart technology.
As you continue planning for your smart home, compatibility and cost are also factors to keep in mind. With smart home technology becoming widely available, you will find dozens of brands on the market. It may be tempting to just buy whichever is on sale, but you should take your time to understand the devices that work well together first, so you don’t encounter compatibility issues later. While smart home technology has also gotten more affordable in the last few years, you should also be thinking of the costs beyond the purchase price. These costs include service subscriptions, upgrades and professional support, and the additional energy costs for always-on devices like security cameras.
Privacy is a major concern with smart homes. Following cyber-security best practices, such as network segregation, strong passwords and installing the recommended updates, is essential to safeguarding your smart home against bad actors. Reliability, especially in the event of a power outage, is also a concern. Include back up power solutions, particularly for critical functions, and set up manual overrides for all automated systems.
When it comes to creating a smart home, proper planning is essential for successful execution. The number of factors to consider might seem daunting at first, but, when implemented effectively, your smart home technology can bring innovation, convenience and comfort to your life. If you need help determining what automation setup is right for you, a smart home consultant can guide you through the process.
Ready to take the step towards automation? Here at Co-op Bank, our financing solutions are designed to help you achieve your goals. Let’s explore the borrowing option that’s right for you; visit us today.
Have you ever wondered what makes a house a home? Simply defined, a house is a building where people live. Add a sense of belonging, mix in emotional connections and memories, and sprinkle some personal style, and now we have a home.
Whether it’s for a first home or forever home, everyone has imagined their dream home at some point in time. But your dream home can be more than a dream. Here are some tips to help make it a reality.
Start with a brainstorming session
While you may have been thinking about your dream home for years, have you ever written down its characteristics or a description of how it looks? As you begin the process of making the home of your dreams a reality, a brainstorming session is an important step. Browse through magazines and photos for inspiration, making notes of what you like and don’t like. Consider the number of rooms and bathrooms, layout and, important for our region, climate smart characteristics such as natural ventilation and lighting, as well as wind and impact resistant features. Be as thorough as possible in this stage, even making notes of finishings and fixtures. Don’t be afraid to put it all down; this is your dream home wish list!
With your wish list complete, the next step is to prioritize the list by identifying your needs and wants. Essentially, you are separating the must haves or non-negotiables from the nice to haves. For example, a home office is a must have if you work remotely, but a separate entertainment centre is probably just nice to have.
Set a realistic budget
To set a realistic budget, you must know how much things cost. Research all the associated costs, keeping your wish list in mind, and have a discussion with your financial advisor to establish a reasonable and realistic budget. You may have to revisit the priorities on your wish list and adjust the plan, for example, to scale down the building’s size or leave some features for future projects.
Work with the right team
The process of building your dream home can be stressful. That’s why it is necessary to engage the right team to execute your vision. Retain an architect and contractor whose style and experience match the home you want to build and who communicate well with you. If you are a first-time builder, consider adding a project manager to the team to help you navigate the process. Also, be cautious of short cuts and promises to do things cheaply; it might cost you more in the long run.
If you’re hoping to buy your dream home rather than build, these tips still apply. Put together your wish list and prioritize based on needs and wants and set a realistic budget. Then, as you begin the house hunt, work with a trusted real estate agent who understands your vision.
You may not be able to build your home exactly as you dreamt it, but you can still bring elements of it to life. Make an appointment with one of our officers to explore our financing options to see how we can help you bring your dream home to life.
Take a moment to imagine your ideal piece of land. Does it have a view? Chances are it does. What kind of view are you picturing? Is it a sea view or mountain? Are you looking out onto a lush valley or seeing the twinkling lights of the town? When it comes to buying land, many prospective buyers place having a view high on their list of must haves, and for good reason.
Go back to that image of your ideal lot of land. Now think about what you want to see when you look out of the window when you wake up in the morning or sit on the verandah with a cup of tea, enjoying nature. How does this make you feel? When going through the process of purchasing land, it’s not uncommon to feel an emotional connection with the property that may one day be yours. This process is a major life milestone, and you want to make sure that it also feels right. And, having an impressive view definitely helps.
Thanks to our country’s mountainous terrain, stunning views are all around. However, also thanks to this mountainous terrain, fully enjoying the view will most likely involve building on a slope. While sloping land offers great views, it is important to understand that the cost of construction may increase as the terrain gets steeper. Unlike a flat lot, there are additional factors to consider when building on a slope, including the degree and orientation of the slope and how much excavation will be required. You will also need to consider the vegetation, soil type and drainage. If you are planning to build on top of a hill, for example, you must also consider road access and utilities. Building your house on a slope, therefore, requires careful planning and strategic execution. Yes, we’d love for you to have the view of your dreams, but we also want to ensure that you cover all your bases.
Here at Co-op Bank, our dedicated teams are ready to get you on your way to enjoying the views you’ve been dreaming about. Start by sitting down with one of our lending officers to figure out what is possible based on your current financial situation. With our mortgage loans, we offer attractive interest rates with easy repayment terms and our officers will assist you throughout the process, from application to approval. Then, it’s time to start searching. Browse through the listed properties on the real estate section of our website or work with a trusted real estate agent to find options that suit your budget and needs.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to explore land ownership, this is it. To learn more about Co-op Bank’s real estate options, visit https://www.grenadaco-opbank.com/personal/real-estate or take a look at our borrowing options for mortgages here: https://www.grenadaco-opbank.com/personal/borrowing/mortgage-loans
When it comes to new year’s resolutions, people around the world have been promising themselves to do things differently in the new year for centuries. Whether that means travelling somewhere new for vacation, starting (and sticking with) a new hobby, or pursuing professional development goals, the new year is full of possibilities.
At Co-op Bank, we support all your new year resolutions and goals, from healthier lifestyles to entrepreneurship, and everything in between, like saving for university or financing your dream home. This year, we’d like you to add something else to your list – investing. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds, and you don’t need to win the lottery to start. Let’s look at how our wealth management services can help you meet your financial goals through investment.
Meeting Your Financial Goals Through Investment
An investment is an asset that you buy with the expectation that it will generate income or increase in value over time. Investing, then, is a way to put your money to work to reap the rewards in the future.
Before we can discuss how Co-op Bank can help you meet your financial goals through investment, let’s define some other key terms:
- Securities: financial products or instruments issued by companies or governments to raise capital. There are two main types of securities: Equity and Debt.
- Equity (also referred to as stocks or shares): ownership in a company that comes with specific rights, including the ability to share in profits and to earn capital gain on the sale of your securities.
- Debt Security: a loan that investors make to the issuing company or government. Debt securities include treasury bills, notes and bonds with varying maturities, beginning at 91 days.
- Dividend: a periodic income payment from the profits of a company made to its shareholders.
Investing in Grenada
The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) is the securities exchange that operates the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market (ECSM) within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). A Broker-Dealer is needed to buy or sell securities on the ECSM. Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited (GCBL) is Grenada’s only licensed Broker-Dealer on the ECSM, which means that through Co-op Bank, you can invest in ECSM-listed securities as well as in unlisted securities issued in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
About Co-op Bank’s Wealth Management Services
GCBL has been a licensed ECSE Broker-Dealer since 2015 and offers a range of investment solutions and services for individuals and businesses, such as investing in equities and debt instruments. Our wealth management team can also facilitate the raising of capital through the issuance of equity and debt securities. To get started on your investment journey, you will need to establish a brokerage relationship with GCBL as your broker. Then, one of our licensed wealth management representatives will meet with you to discuss your investment goals and objectives, your current financial obligations and your risk appetite. Together, you will create an investment roadmap that works for you.
It is important to note that while investments provide an opportunity to earn returns greater than the interest paid on regular savings accounts and allow for greater growth in value over time, the risk is higher. Therefore, you should only invest if you are prepared to take on the risk that the investment value may fluctuate. As a new investor, start by investing what you can afford to lose.
Get started on your investment journey this new year. Our wealth management representatives are ready to assist. To learn more about investing and Co-op Bank’s wealth management services, visit https://www.grenadaco-opbank.com/investment/
