Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited Pump it Up! Press Launch

On Thursday, March 14, 2019, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited held a press launch at the Gordon V. Steele Conference Room at its Church Street location, to announce its 11^th annual Pump it Up! Family Fun Walk.

Mr. Roger Duncan, Customer Care Manager at Co-op Bank, emphasized the bank’s continued commitment toward the re-establishment of services at the Carlton Home rehabilitation centre for substance abuse. In his update he advised that Pump it Up! will be held in Carriacou on Sunday, April 7, 2019, starting from the Harvey Vale playing field on to the Hillsborough Tennis Court; and on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in mainland Grenada, from the Morne Rouge playing field to the National Cricket Stadium. He added that registration has begun and invited persons to come out in their Daisy yellow shirts.

Mr. Richard Duncan, Managing Director of Co-op Bank reiterated the Bank’s focus on the project to re-establish the Carlton Home Rehabilitation Center for substance abusers under the Pump it Up! brand. In 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, Flow Grenada Ltd, Jonas Browne & Hubbard (G’da) Ltd, and Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Limited to collaborate toward the project. In 2018, Antillean Group was introduced as an additional benefactor to the initiative.

The Managing Director added: “due to the enormity of the problem and the resources required, we continued to invite other members of corporate Grenada to join the efforts of the Bank and the Ministry of Health to combat the health challenges arising from substance abuse… companies that share similar core values and understand the importance of this challenge to continue coming on board.” He advised that one such entity heeded the call to join the existing team of Benefactors, introducing Coyaba Beach Resort as the newest addition to the team of esteemed benefactors.

In his statement, Mr. Duncan also advised that to date, the collaborative efforts of the bank and benefactors have raised over $220,000 moving steadily to our target of $500,000 by 2021.

Mr. Philbert Lewis of Hubbards, Mr. James Pitt of Flow Grenada Ltd, and Mr. Kennie John of Antillean Group each spoke of their experiences with the Pump it Up! event and brand and reiterated their companies’ commitment to the initiative going forward. As a show of their commitment, each partner presented their 2019 contribution to the fund. Dr. Sonia Nixon, Senior Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to the benefactors for their efforts toward a much-needed facility, further highlighting the social impact substance abuse has on our population.

Since 2009, a different health-related charity has benefited from the proceeds of the Pump it Up! Family Fun walk, such as the Grenada Heart Foundation, Grenada Diabetes Association, Grenada Kidney Foundation, Sickle Cell Association of Grenada, Grenada Cancer Society, Pink Ribbon Society, and Lupus Foundation of Grenada. As the Bank celebrates its 11^th family fun walk, it remains committed to promoting vibrant and physically active lifestyles, encouraging preventative approaches to health issues, and making available to the public, information concerning health matters as part of its Healthier Lifestyles Programme.

Increased Customer Satisfaction Ratings for Co-op Bank

2019 Audit of Customer Service Charter

Co-op Bank’s customers have confirmed their satisfaction with the Bank. This was despite a rapidly growing customer base and an increasingly competitive environment which has placed increased pressures on its resources in recent times.

A 2019 audit of the Bank’s Customer Service Charter confirmed this satisfaction.

Launched in 2011, the Customer Service Charter publicizes the Bank’s commitment to provide superior service to all customers.

The Charter is a firm demonstration of Co-op Bank’s commitment to always maintain a high standard in satisfying the financial needs of customers; and to ensure that we deliver an exceptional experience whenever customers transact business with us.

The audit of the Charter was conducted in 2019, by Independent Auditors, PKF Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, and their report is outlined below.

Co-op Bank introduces its newest ATM on the CONNEX® network

Co-op Bank has widened the availability of its service with the introduction of an ATM on the CONNEX® Network at St. George’s University (SGU) campus. In a small ribbon cutting ceremony at the SGU campus on February 18, 2019, the Bank expressed satisfaction in being able to meet the needs of the staff and students of the university by adding the benefit of enjoying safe, convenient access to their funds at any time.

Richard Medford, Manager of Electronic Services and Retail Operations at Co-op Bank noted that “Co-op Bank commits to continually building good business relations with St. George’s University. We applaud the University for their vision and commitment in partnering with Grenada Co-operative Bank to bring enhanced financial service delivery to this campus.”

The CONNEX® brand is owned by Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited, Ariza Credit Union, and Caribbean Credit Card Corporation (4C’s). This addition brings the number of ATMs on the CONNEX® network to 26 across the state of Grenada.

Co-op Bank Awards Fourteen Scholarships

On June 27, 2019, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited awarded scholarships to fourteen students as part of its annual Super Starter Education Investment Plan Programme.

Seven silver scholarships, each valued at $1,000, were awarded to primary school students and seven gold scholarships, each valued at $2,000, were awarded to secondary school students. The lottery draw was conducted in the presence of the Bank’s Auditors, Pannell Kerr Foster.

Co-op Bank’s Super Starter Education Investment Plan Scholarship Programme was specially designed to ensure that Plan beneficiaries from all parishes, including Carriacou, qualify. For the past ten years, Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has awarded 140 scholarships throughout the island, assisting parents to cover primary and secondary school expenses, and this year, the Bank presented fourteen more.

To date the Bank has invested over $492,500 in the Super Starter Education Investment Plan Scholarship Programme.

Co-op Bank appoints new Chairman - Mr. Daryl Brathwaite

At its meeting of January 29^th, 2019, the Board of Directors of Co-op Bank elected Mr. Darryl Brathwaite as its new Chairman. Mr. Brathwaite has replaced Mr. Ambrose Phillip who served as Chairman for the last two (2) years and remains a member of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Brathwaite has served on the Board of Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited for the last fifteen (15) years. He completed studies at the London School of Accountancy, London, UK and is an experienced businessman having worked in the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean before returning to Grenada in 1988 to establish Hi-Tech Printery Ltd. as the Managing Director/Owner. Mr. Brathwaite has served as Deputy President of the Senate of the Parliament of Grenada; and has sat on several Government Committees and Statutory Boards including as past President Grenada Chamber of Industry & Commerce.

Reflecting on his new leadership role on the Board he commented, “I thank my colleague Directors for the confidence placed in me and, with their continued support and dedication to the governance and raison d'être of the Bank, I anticipate further growth and improved stability of the Bank.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish to record my appreciation to the former Chairman, Ambrose Phillip, for his stewardship during his term in office.”

New Chairman for GCBL - Darryl Brathwaite

On Sunday April 28, 2019, the streets were awash in a beautiful sea of daisy, a lovely shade of yellow. Just over 4,000 people participated in Co-op Bank’s 11^th annual Pump it Up! Family Fun Walk, a spectacular event put on by Co-op Bank as the main feature of its Healthier Lifestyles Program. The event was sold out with just under two weeks before the event – proof that Pump it Up! is a highly anticipated event.

Following a countdown which included a warm up session led by the Body Image Health Club the walk began at 4:00 p.m. with the crowd of participants departing the Morne Rouge playing field toward the National Cricket Stadium. Some participants took the challenge route which was used again this year, diverting up Lowther’s Lane, down Marrast Hill, through River Road, and onto the National Cricket Stadium.

In 2017, for the first time, Co-op Bank announced its collaboration with Jonas Browne & Hubbard (G’da) Ltd, FLOW and Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Limited to pool resources for the benefit of one major sustainable initiative – the re-establishment of the Carlton Home. Antillean Group was welcomed on board in 2018 as the fourth Benefactor, and in 2019, Coyaba Beach Resort joined the team of Benefactors to add its contribution to the initiative.

In his remarks to the participants during the closing ceremony, Managing Director of Co-op Bank, Mr. Richard W. Duncan spoke of the benefactors as being
“fully committed to supporting those who are battling substance abuse so that they can make a valuable contribution to their families and society.” He further stated that “the significant financial contributions of these companies to date have gone directly to a trust fund, which will be managed by the board of trustees made up of the initial benefactors and the Bank.”

This year, the contributions of the Benefactors totaled a significant $65,000.00 which has been placed in theTrust Fund created for the initiative. As is customary, Co-op Bank contributes $1.00 per mile for each registered participant: 721 participants in Carriacou resulting in a $2,700.00 contribution; and 4,174 participants in Grenada – 3,966 on the regular route and 208 on the challenge route – resulting in a contribution of $17,000.00.

The total amount raised since 2016 including Benefactor contributions now stands at $240,053.64, almost halfway to the goal of $500,000.00 which the Bank hopes to attain by 2021 toward the re-establishment of the Carlton Home.

Prizes were awarded for largest registered groups and individuals.

Largest registered community group – SPAR
Largest registered family – Hilda Stephen & Family
Largest registered church group – St. George’s SDA Church
Largest registered school-based group – St. Joseph’s Convent, St. George
Registered workplace group (micro) – Compass Shipping & Axcel Finance Team
Registered workplace group (small) – Coyaba Beach Resort
Registered workplace group (medium) – Grenada Nurses Association
Registered workplace group (large) – Geo. F. Huggins
Youngest registered female on foot – Kahlasee Felix
Youngest registered male on foot – Jovi Fletcher
Youngest registered baby girl in stroller – Eliana Sylvester
Youngest registered baby boy in stroller – Kanniel Telesford
Most senior registered female – Auslyn Williams
Most senior registered male – Mike Francis
Wildcard prize – Kristen K

This year, there was a prize for a wild card winner – a registered participant not falling within any of the individual prize categories. At the end of the prize giving ceremony, participants were entertained with the scintillating sounds of one of Grenada’s most popular live bands - Mystic.

Co-op Bank wishes to commend all participants for their stance on healthy living and for their support toward the re-establishment of the Carlton Home!

Co-op Bank and Her Majesty’s Prisons Welfare Association commence new relationship

St. George’s, August 15, 2019 - Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has entered into a business relationship with Her Majesty’s Prison Welfare Association (HMPWA) - a relationship which both parties hope will be long-standing, fruitful and beneficial to customers.

On Friday August 9, 2019 at a ceremony held at the Bank’s Head Office on Church Street, St. George’s, the Bank offered preferential terms and conditions to members of the HMPWA and their spouses when seeking credit facilities from Co-op Bank.

Signing on behalf of Co-op Bank was the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Deon Moses, while Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. John Mitchell, and President of the HMPWA, Mr. Keylon La Touche executed on behalf of the Prison Welfare Association. Commissioner Mitchell expressed his appreciation for the interest expressed by the bank in providing financial solutions for the officers and their spouses, whilst Mr. Moses expressed his desire to see both institutions strengthen ties. He also reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to support the Officers in their community initiatives and personal financial goals, through smart financial initiatives.

St. George’s, August 15, 2019 – Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited has entered into a business relationship with Her Majesty’s Prison Welfare Association (HMPWA) – a relationship which both parties hope will be longstanding, fruitful and beneficial to customers.

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