St. George’s, Grenada – May 20th, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has once again reaffirmed its commitment to youth development, innovation and national digital transformation through its support of Girls in ICT Day 2026, under the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”. This is an initiative spearheaded by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of ICT.
As part of Co-op Bank’s contribution, a cheque presentation was held on April 21st, 2026, just a few days before International Girls in ICT Day was observed globally. “We view our support in this area as more than simply a corporate contribution, but rather an investment in Grenada’s future human capital and digital economy”, stated Ericka Hosten – Manager, Marketing & Customer Insight Unit at Co-op Bank.
The official launch ceremony for the AI Innovative Challenge competition was held on May 8th, 2026, at the Grenada Trade Centre. This event brought together students, educators, government officials and stakeholders in a shared effort to encourage greater participation in technology, innovation and artificial intelligence, among girls and young women in Grenada.
Hosten commends the NTRC for their continued leadership in advancing digital awareness and re-emphasised the importance of creating spaces where girls and young women feel empowered to explore careers in ICT, coding, cybersecurity, robotics, artificial intelligence, among others. She further stated, “as technology continues to transform the global landscape, it is increasingly important that our young women are included and equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to thrive in the tech-industry”.
Supporting activities and events that focus on ICT also aligns closely with Co-op Bank’s strategic direction and ongoing technology adoption initiatives. Over the years, the bank has continued to embrace digital transformation through the enhancement of its banking technologies, eBanking services and customer experience platforms aimed at improving accessibility, efficiency and convenience for its customers.
Here in the Caribbean, extreme weather events have become an inevitable part of life. In just one year, we can expect to experience prolonged periods of drought and scorching heatwaves, heavier than average rainfall and flash flooding, and stronger, more frequent storms. This, unfortunately, is our climate reality, and we must be prepared.
Managing the effects of climate change requires making climate smart choices for your home, like switching to solar power and energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy costs and rainwater harvesting to supplement water storage. However, for this blog post, we shall focus on climate resilient homes, particularly in the context of hurricane season. While climate resilient homes are designed to withstand the threats of climate change, they do not completely eliminate risk. But they do play a critical role in reducing damage, protecting your assets and helping you recover faster after a storm.
Whether you are starting the process of building a house or thinking about upgrades to protect your current home, here are some useful tips from your BFFs at Co-op Bank.
Before you start building your climate resilient home, make sure that you and your construction team are on the same page regarding structural strength and integrity. Have a discussion to ensure that the design, construction methods and materials are aligned with climate resilient best practices and follow required building codes — there should be no shortcuts and cutting corners. Climate resilient homes prioritise safety and you don’t want to jeopardise that.
Now let’s talk about three climate resilient home features:
Roofs
Hurricane straps are an integral feature of the Caribbean climate resilient home. These crucial connectors reduce the risk of roof uplift during a hurricane and hold the building’s structure together.
Windows and Doors
Windows and glass doors, if not already impact resistant, can be further protected by hurricane shutters and protective panels. Pro tip: install shutters that you can operate without needing to hire a special crew.
Drainage
A climate resilient drainage system safely channels water away from the foundation of your house. It starts with site grading, ensuring that the land slopes downward away from the building. This prevents surface water from pooling around the foundation of your house. Then, there should be adequate drains around the property to maintain the flow of water away from the house. Roof downspouts or drainpipes should channel rainwater into storage tanks or directly into the drains. Additional methods include landscaping that swaps concrete or asphalt surfaces for gravel or permeable pavers and rain gardens with water-tolerant vegetation to capture, filter and absorb excess rainwater.
It is important to note that just incorporating these climate resilient features is not enough. There still needs to be regular maintenance and checks throughout the year, not just when a storm warning is announced.
Check your roof regularly for rust and loose roofing sheets and shingles or, if you have a concrete roof, check for cracks, leaks or other compromised areas and address quickly. Similarly, check your roof gutters and drainpipes for leaks and weak areas and that your hurricane shutters are functioning properly. Remove the debris from the gutters and drainpipes regularly, as well as the drains in and around your property. These are just a few ways that you can achieve a safer, more climate resilient home. But did you know that Co-op Bank can also help? With our Building for the Future loan, you can access affordable financing and enjoy discounts on loan fees and special benefits when you choose climate-resilient solutions. Visit https://www.grenadaco-opbank.com/bff/ to learn more.
St. George’s, Grenada – May 4th, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited hosted a special financial literacy workshop for the young stars of the 2026 Fundaytion initiative on the sister isle. The session, held on April 18th at Bishop’s College in Carriacou, focused on the importance of savings and building smart financial habits from an early age.
Mrs. Cameile Charles Cummings, Operations Officer, Carriacou Retail Banking Unit, and Mrs. Ericka Hosten, Manager, Marketing & Customer Insight Unit, facilitated the interactive presentations, defining key terms and identifying practical ways the participants can save money and make responsible spending decisions. Members from Co-op Bank’s senior management team were also present, including Mr. Willvorn Grainger, Chief Experience Officer.
The Fundaytion participants actively engaged in a series of fun and educational activities designed to help them differentiate between needs and wants, and to better determine whether they should spend, save or split their weekly allowances. At the end of the workshop, the Co-op Bank team reminded the students that starting to save now will help them develop good money habits for the future.
“As Grenada’s only local commercial bank, we are fully invested in seeing young people succeed in all aspects of their lives, whether that is performing on stage or making smart financial decisions,” explained Mrs. Hosten. She further noted “We are proud to support the Fundaytion initiative and contribute to the holistic development of our nation’s youth”.
Fundaytion, first staged in 2023, is a youth initiative that promotes creativity, teamwork, confidence and self-expression. Originally conceptualized as a singing competition, Fundaytion has become an avenue for discovering and nurturing musical talent, whilst instilling valuable life skills. Co-op Bank remains committed to investing in initiatives that positively impact communities through culture and performing arts, sports, health, education and the environment.
St. George’s, Grenada – May 7th, 2026 – After weeks of engagement, corporate and public support, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, organiser of Grenada’s popular walk, is proud to announce that its 2026 15th Pump it Up! Family Fun Walk concluded successfully, raising a total of $56,259 for the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council, its 2026 beneficiary.
From Harvey Vale to Hillsborough in Carriacou and from Point Salines to the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada, thousands of walkers demonstrated their commitment to healthier, vibrant and physically active lifestyles while supporting a meaningful cause.
The 2026 Pump it Up! season officially began in Carriacou on April 19th, raising $2,500 for the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council. Two weeks later, on May 3rd, the Grenada leg of the annual walk attracted more than 4,000 participants. This year, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of its Pump it Up! Family Fun Walks, Co-op Bank introduced a challenge route in Carriacou, and an extended 6-mile regular route as well as a 7.5-mile runners’ route in Grenada.
Speaking at the Pump it Up! closing ceremony on May 3rd, Co-op Bank’s Managing Director, Larry Lawrence, reflected on the journey of the initiative, stating “Exactly fifteen years ago, in 2009, we embarked on a journey to raise awareness about healthy living and to encourage physical activity across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It was a simple idea with a powerful purpose: to inspire our fellow Grenadians to take a proactive approach to their health.” He added, “Today, as we celebrate 15 years of Pump it Up! we are incredibly proud to witness families, friends, businesses and communities coming together, not just for a walk, but a cause. At Co-op Bank, we firmly believe that when a population is healthy, our nation is stronger. This translates into stronger families, more productive communities and a brighter future for all.”
Ms. Lydia Browne, Chief Executive Officer of Grenada Food and Nutrition Council, officially accepted Co-op Bank’s contribution during the ceremony.Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited expresses sincere gratitude and appreciation to its corporate partners – Jonas Browne and Hubbard (G’da) Ltd, Antillean Group, and Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Ltd – individual donors, as well as the many volunteers and fun walkers who made its 2026 Pump it Up! season a success.
St. George’s, Grenada – May 4th, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited proudly supported the St. Mark’s School’s Spelling Competition & History Symposium, part of the 2026 St. Mark’s Festival events organised by the St. Mark Organisation for Development (SMOD) Inc. The competition took place on April 17th at the St. Mark’s Secondary School and featured ten students from Grade 4.
Mr. Roland Fletcher, Sales and Services Manager at the Sauteurs Retail Banking Unit, delivered remarks at the start of the competition. He commended the organisers for including an event within the St. Mark’s Festival that highlights the importance of education, vocabulary and literacy. “Initiatives like these play a critical role in shaping confident, knowledgeable and well-rounded youth in our nation. At Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, we strongly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for personal and national development. It is the foundation upon which future leaders, professionals and innovators are built,” Mr. Fletcher noted. “We remain committed and heavily invested in supporting our Grenadian youth through educational initiatives in every community across the tri-island state.”
Mr. Royden Beharry, President of the St. Mark Organisation for Development Inc., expressed his appreciation to Grenada Co-operative Bank for partnering with them to stage the spelling competition. “This collaboration represents more than sponsorship, it is a meaningful investment in the academic growth, confidence and future of our young people. Together, we are fostering a culture of excellence, literacy, and healthy competition, while creating opportunities for our students to shine and believe in their full potential. At SMOD, we remain committed to building stronger communities through education, and we are proud to work alongside Grenada Co-operative Bank in inspiring the next generation of leaders in St. Mark.”
At the end of an exciting competition, D’Niah Cox-Calliste emerged victorious in the 2026 St. Mark’s Festival Spelling Competition. Kayden Joseph and Denisha Fletcher placed second and third respectively. Though the competition was tailored for individual students, as opposed to school teams, it is noteworthy to mention that all three winners attend the Samaritan Presbyterian School. Co-op Bank congratulates the winners and all the participants for representing their schools with pride and distinction.
St. George’s, Grenada – April 22nd, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, the nation’s only indigenous commercial bank, continues to invest in national sports development, most recently as a Silver Sponsor of the 53rd CARIFTA Games, held from April 4 – 6, 2026 at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
“Co-op Bank has been a strong advocate for sports and our local athletes for decades, which aligns with our commitment to invest in initiatives that support the holistic development of Grenadian people and encourage national pride,” explained Mrs. Ericka Hosten, Manager of the bank’s Marketing & Customer Insight Unit. “We are certainly proud of all of our CARIFTA athletes who represented our country with distinction. We also commend the local organising committee, officials and volunteers for their work in executing an impressive Games.”
In addition to this year’s CARIFTA sponsorship, Co-op Bank proudly championed the Paralympic athletes, managed by the Grenada Paralympic Committee, by providing uniforms for them to compete at the INTERCOL and CARIFTA games. The Bank congratulates the Paralympic Team for their outstanding performances and showcase of determination and talent. Co-op Bank is also proud to support brand ambassador Sir Kirani James GCNG CBE COG with his initiatives to mentor young athletes across Grenada.
Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited continues to impact communities through its Community Outreach Programme, focusing on areas that influence positive change. Sports is a key pillar of the programme and Co-op Bank proudly invests in events, teams and athletes across sporting disciplines. To learn more about Co-op Bank’s community initiatives, visit Community Outreach.
St. George’s, Grenada – April 22nd, 2026 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited joined St. George’s University to celebrate academic excellence and outstanding achievements at the 2026 School of Arts and Sciences Award Ceremony as a sponsor of the Most Outstanding Student – International Business (MBA) award.
Ms. Samica Roberts, Segment, Product and Performance Lead, presented the award to Mr. Chinty Lakhati in recognition of his exceptional performance.
“At Co-op Bank, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and support national development. This is why we continue to proudly support educational programmes and initiatives and ensure that Grenadians have access to financial tools to offset the costs of education,” said Mrs. Ericka Hosten, Manager of the bank’s Marketing & Customer Insight Unit.
She added, “We also believe in celebrating academic achievements and we congratulate Mr. Lakhati on his outstanding performance in the International Business MBA programme. We wish him continued success in his future endeavours.”
Co-op Bank also extends congratulatory sentiments to the other student and faculty award recipients for their excellent performance and accomplishments.
Generational wealth refers to the financial assets that are passed from one generation of a family to another. This wealth, in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate or family businesses, is passed on with the intention of giving the next generation a financial headstart. However, many people mistakenly believe that achieving this headstart comes from simply passing on money in the bank or a lot of land to your children. True generational wealth focuses on building long-term financial security for generations to come.
In this post, we look at building generational wealth through the lens of land ownership, which many financial experts consider to be one of the building blocks of generational wealth. Land holds value in ways other assets do not and, in most instances, becomes more valuable over time. Since land holds the potential for income generation and long-term stability, it is a great place to start building generational wealth.
But, before you race to purchase the next available property, here are three important factors you should consider.
Location
Since you are investing in land for the future, the location of the property matters. Pay attention to real estate trends and predictions; an area may not be popular now, but in twenty years it may be the most sought-after location. Similarly, areas that are currently trending may lose their appeal for a number of reasons, such as over-crowding or changes in zoning restrictions.
Purpose
Another key factor to consider when exploring land ownership for generational wealth is how the land will be used. Before committing to the purchase, think about the potential uses of the land, for example, for construction of a residential or commercial complex or agricultural development or renewable energy generation. This will help guide your decision on location and, by not leaving the land idle, will also generate income. Whatever you choose for the land, remember that its intention is to provide the next generation with that financial headstart. So, before you pursue any projects, ask yourself “will this be a gift or a burden for my children and their children?”
Documentation
With the intention being to keep this land in your family for generations, you must ensure that all necessary documentation regarding ownership is in order. Additionally, you will need to establish clear guidelines as to how the wealth, in this case the land and its proceeds, will be transferred to your beneficiaries. Setting up a sound legal structure now will minimise any confusion later.
As you embark on the journey to building generational wealth, we encourage you to think beyond land ownership. Explore what you want the land to represent for your family and think about the values that you want to pass along to them. You also don’t need to feel that you must own several acres of land to build generational wealth. You can start small, focusing on affordability and potential. Finally, have honest and open conversations about money with your children. Encourage financial literacy early and help foster a positive money mindset so that they can fully appreciate the legacy you are building for them.
St. George’s, Grenada – March 25th, 2026 – Get ready to Pump it Up! Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited announces the dates for this year’s Pump it Up, the nation’s most anticipated family fun walk. Celebrating 15 years of Pump it Up, the 2026 Pump it Up season starts on Sunday, April 19th in Carriacou and continues on Sunday, May 3rd in Grenada. The 2026 beneficiary is Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC).
Pump it Up, which forms part of Co-op Bank’s Healthier Lifestyles Programme, aims to promote vibrant and physically active lifestyles, making significant contributions to the health and well being of communities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique through its support of several health-related non-profit organisations.
In 2024, Pump it Up surpassed its fundraising target of $500,000, raising $584,392, for the re establishment of services at the Carlton Home Rehabilitation Centre. The 2025 Pump it Up walks raised $69,051 for Carriacou’s Princess Royal Hospital, which sustained extensive damage during the passage of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. Proceeds from this year’s Pump it Up will benefit the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council, an organisation committed to supporting the health and welfare of Grenadians by guiding them toward making knowledgeable dietary decisions and adopting healthier lifestyles
The Pump it Up Family Fun Walk continues to be generously supported by Jonas Browne & Hubbard (G’da) Limited and Antillean as renaissance and recovery partners respectively, and Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Limited, as a contributing supporter.
“As Grenada’s only indigenous commercial bank, we are proud of the impact we have made on national development, particularly to the health and well-being of our communities,” says Mr. Willvorn Grainger, Chief Experience Officer at Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited. “We invite Grenadians of all ages to join us on Sunday, April 19th in Carriacou and Sunday, May 3rd in Grenada as we celebrate 15 years of Pump it Up – 15 years of walking, more years of healthy living.”
Registration is now open for the 2026 Pump it Up Family Fun Walk. In addition to the customary routes, this year’s event will feature for the first time a Challenge Route in Carriacou, and a
Runners’ Route on mainland Grenada. There will be attractions along the routes and at the end of the walk. Visit our website or your closest retail banking unit to learn more and register.
Grenada Co‑operative Bank Limited is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Richard W. Duncan, O.B.E. to its Board of Directors (the Board) during the Bank’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on January 29, 2026. As the nation’s largest commercial bank and a licensed Broker Dealer, Grenada Co‑operative Bank Limited continues to play a critical role in Grenada’s financial landscape. Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited now manages assets exceeding $2.7 billion, underscoring its continued leadership and stability within Grenada’s financial sector.
Mr. Duncan is a distinguished retired banker and former Managing Director of Grenada Co‑operative Bank Limited, having served from 2008 to 2021. He is an Advisor within the Ministry of Finance. With an academic foundation that includes a B.Sc. in Economics & Accounting from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, Mr. Duncan brings extensive expertise to the Board. He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant, Fellow Certified General Accountant, Associate of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, an Accredited Director, and a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada.
Mr. Duncan’s career with Grenada Co‑operative Bank Limited began in 1996, when he joined as Finance Manager. Prior to his tenure in banking, he served the Government of Grenada in key areas including Public Policy Analysis, Debt Management, Public Finance, and Public Sector Investment Programming. Throughout his career, he has also contributed significantly to regional discourse on public and private finance, banking, and regulatory matters, sharing his expertise as a presenter, writer, and panelist at numerous OECS‑level and regional conferences and seminars.
His exemplary service has earned him notable recognition. In 2008, he was honoured as a Distinguished Graduate of the University of the West Indies. In 2022, he received the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his outstanding contribution to banking in Grenada. Mr. Duncan also holds several prominent directorships, including Chairman of the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Committee and Director of Caribbean Financial Services Corporation. Beyond his professional achievements, he is committed to community service and is a dedicated Rotarian and past President.
Mr. Duncan brings to the Board a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a distinguished record of service to Grenada’s financial sector. His appointment enhances the Board’s depth of expertise as Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited continues to advance its mission of delivering exceptional value to customers, shareholders, and the broader community.