History 

In 1946, Ms. Daisy Bryan, who was a Social Welfare Officer in Grenada, showed some credit union literature that she had brought with her from Jamaica to a few senior civil servants. Among them were S. H. Cyrus, F. M. Coard, F. R. Phillip, E. C. King and G. S. Darbreo. The idea of starting a Credit Union was discussed and a short time thereafter, the "Civil Servant Credit Union" was born.

It was launched in January 1947 with twenty-one members, a share capital of less than $1000.00 and rules that were largely copied from a model obtained from Jamaica.

Membership was open to monthly paid civil servants. The rules were amended in 1970 to include teachers and appointed police officers and to change the name of the Credit Union to Grenada Public Service Co-operative Credit Union.

The first officers were E. C. King as President, G. S. Dabreo as Secretary, and A. D. W. Johnson as Treasurer.

The other foundation members were:

The Civil Service Credit Union was the pioneer of the movement in Grenada. It preceded the Grenada Credit Union League, which was formed in 1958, and the Department of Co-operatives which was formed in 1957 with the passing of the Co-operative Ordinance. It was registered with the Grenada Credit Union League, the umbrella body for credit unions in 1958, the very year that the organization was formed. Mr. S. L. Cyrus succeeded Mr. A. D. W. Johnson as Treasurer. He could be regarded as the father of the credit union

 More about our History

The first officers of the Credit Union were E.C. King, President; Gordon Da Breo, Secretary; and A.D.W. Johnson, Treasurer. Other Foundation Members were F.C. Coard, R.W. Mitchell, Herbert M. Quires, Lionel J. Rose, George Richardson, George Pilgrim, Oswald J. Buxo, Joseph Emile Munro, Hudson R. Scipio, Fred G. Stewart, L. K. Clara, L. J. Wilson, Sydney L. Cyrus, W. B. Roberts, F.R. Phillip, Phyllis Seon, Kipling Lalsing, and Claudius B. Strachan. These founding members have left a legacy for posterity in the Orgnaisation which they founded.

E.C. King served as President of the Credit Union from 1947 to 1957, followed by a number of stalwarts in the Movement.

Sydney L. Cyrus succeeded A.D.W. Johnson as Treasurer and served in that position for a very long time. In fact, Mr. Cyrus can be regarded as the real father of the then Civil Service Credit Union who nurtured it with loving care in those early years. He was committed to the collection of funds from members which were deposited into the Government Savings Bank and from which withdrawals were made to effect payments to members.

In February 1959, the Government of Grenada agreed to deductions from the salaries of Public Officers for payment to the Credit Union. This was a significant decision which marked a turning point in the efforts of the Credit Union and contributed considerably to the growth of its Finances.

Seon Alexander, who was a member of the staff of the Accounting Division of the Ministry of Finance at that time, was recruited by Mr. Cyrus to assist him in the co-ordination of the deductions from all Government Departments on a monthly basis and to prepare the required claim for submission to the Treasury for approval and payment. This had to be done on a timely basis so that approved loan applications from members could be paid as soon as possible.

Mr. Cyrus was succeeded by V.J.L Buxo as Treasurer of the Credit Union and he, Mr. Muxo was assisted by Joseph N. Bain who subsequently became Treasurer, a position which he maintained for twenty-seven (27) years.

In 1957, the Government of Grenada passed the first Co-operative Ordinance and also set up a Department of Co-operatives to regulate and protect Co-operative Development in Grenada. This Act gave credence to the Movement and assisted in spreading the co-operative idea to other parts of the island.

The Grenada Credit Union League was formed in 1958 and the Public Service Credit Union was registered as a member of the League in that same year. This means that the Public Service Credit Union (formerly the Civil Service Credit Union) was formed eleven (11) years before the formation of the League and ten years before the passage of the Co-operative Ordinance by Government. It can therefore be seen that Public Service Credit Union was the pioneer of the Movement in Grenada.

The business of Public Service Co-operative Credit Union was at first conducted in Government owned premises but in 1974 as its independence grew a building on Tyrrel Street was rented to house its office. Two (2) staff members were employed - Ms. Marietta Mitchell as Officer in Charge and Ms. Jennifer Winsborrow as her assistant. The operations at the office were managed by the Treasurer, Mr. Bain who gave guidance and necessary assistance to Ms. Mitchell.

The Grenada Credit Union League and the St. George's Communal Credit Union both joined the Public Service Credit Union by locating their offices in the same building on Tyrrel Street.

In June 1983, the Public Service Credit Union appointed its first full time manager in the person of Seon Alexander who was at the time still responsible for the collection of members monthly deductions from all Government Departments.

Mr. Alexander had not yet attained the required age for retirement from the Public Service and therefore was obliged to request early retirement to enable him to accept the position of Manager. His request was granted and so he was able to take up the appointment with effect form 1st June 1983.

In July 1985, Public Service Credit Union achieved a historical land mark by moving its office to its present location on Church Street. The building which was purchased by the Credit Union was named "Credit Union House". Accommodation was also provided for the Credit Union League and the St. George's Communal Credit Union at a reasonable monthly rental.

Public Service Credit Union celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1997 for the period April 6 - 12. The Celebrations and an Award Ceremony were held at the Public Workers Union Building at Tanteen, St. George's.

The Caption Read - "Celebrating 50 Years of Existence 1947 - 1997"

The Theme Read - "50 Years Coping With Challenges and Changes"

At the Ceremony, Mr. Joseph Bain was awarded for twenty-seven (27) years of unbroken service as Treasurer and several other long-serving members were also awarded.

The Public Service Credit Union can be firstly proud of the sterling contributions made by its members to the growth and development of the Credit Union Movement in Grenada.

IMPORTANT DATES

January 1947 - Establishment of Credit Union

February 1959 - Approval of Monthly Deductions by Government
from Salaries of Public Officers

1974 - Rental of Premises for PSCU Office

June 1983 - Appointment of 1st Full Time Manager

July 1985 - Purchase and Occupation of Premises Known as
Credit Union House on Church Street

January 1997 - Golden Jubilee

April 1997 - Celebration of Golden Jubilee and Award Ceremony

 The Credit Union Celebrated 60 years in 2007 with the theme " 60 years of Continued Expansion, Creative Transition & the Latest Innoveation. The celebrations began with "T-shirt" Day in which members of the credit union were asked to wear special anniversary t-shirts. Members were encouraged to visit the credit Union office where door prizes were given and refreshments served.

Thanks Giving Service & Reception

The Thanksgiving Service & Reception was held at the Grenada Trade Centre on January 27th 2007. As the neme suggests this was an event to thank God for the achievements of the institution. The service was ecumenical in nature and more than 500 members came out to the event.

Entertainment in the form of Tumda, Vine Vwai and Paul Keens- Douglas were the highlight of the event finger foods.