BJ Staff Cooperative Credit Union The family credit union

Her warm smile, soft spoken tone and confident demeanour are just a few attributes of Maureen Delevante, office manager at BJ Staff Cooperative Credit Union. It was 18 years ago that Delevante joined the credit union and she expressed how this closely knitted staff is committed to serving its members. Towering 12 floors upward and overlooking the waterfront and downtown Kingston, the BJ Staff Co-operative Credit Union sits at the top floor. The statement 'wi likkle but wi tallawah' is quite evident for this credit union as the staff complement includes only four persons - an accountant, two service representatives and a loan officer.

"Our staff is relatively small, she explained, but that's fine with us as we are able to connect with each member, giving them that one-on-one attention". Staying true to its legacy and history, the credit union emerged out of a study group and officially opened its doors on July 4, 1964. One of its founding members, Alfred St. P. Grant, was the standard bearer and it is fondly told that Grant identified himself with the credit union and has been known to introduce himself when relating to the credit union as "This is Alfred St P. Grant ,foundation member, account number 34."

Scholarships and Community Outreach

The credit union is giving its members the opportunity to fulfil their dreams as they have been consistent in awarding scholarships for primary and tertiary-level students. "Our scholarship programme for GSAT students began over 10 years ago," Delevante boasted. "We were able to award GSAT scholarships to one boy and one girl, as well as one tertiary level scholarship valuing $100,000."

Not to be outdone, the BJ Staff Credit Union adopted the Merrion Road Basic School located within the Vineyard Town community and they were able to implement a lunch and breakfast feeding programme for the children, repair the school stove, and paint the entire the school.

Volunteerism plays a very important role within the organisation. All board members and committee members are volunteers. Delevante elaborated on this point, "We are happy to have volunteers as part of our team. They contribute their skills and expertise in developing products and services that add value to our members."

The credit union's commitment to its members has not gone unnoticed. The BJ Staff Credit Union has been the proud recipients of a number of awards, namely the John P. Sullivan Award for Small Credit Union of the Year 2017 and the Paul Thompson Award for Medium-Size Credit Union of the Year 2013.

Delevante declared that she is quite elated to be a part of the BJ Staff Cooperative Credit Union as she believes in the mission of the organisation wholeheartedly. She outlined the three mantras the team lives by: 'Commitment to serving members, exceeding our customers' expectations and being passionate about the members we serve'.

"We love what we do and I believe in the mission of the credit union. It's an amazing feeling when a member comes to us and we are able to address them by their name."