The St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union Limited started from the backroom of an office on Baker’s Corner where one of our founding members, who was the Managing Director of the Eastern Benevolent Society Mr. Lloyd Procope, freely accommodated the office. The organization first opened its doors in 1982 as the Basseterre Co-operative Credit Union with only 15 members and a volunteer Peace Corp officer to provide financial services. Two years later, it was renamed the St. Kitts Co-operative Credit Union.
On April 21, 1982, a small group of like-minded persons gathered in Newtown to discuss the idea of forming a credit union to be of service to the residents of Basseterre. With dedication and a strong sense of commitment, this idea fast became reality. Three months later, on 1st July 1982, the co-operative was officially registered as the Basseterre Cooperative Credit Union (BCCU). On 27th July 1982 members came together at the University Centre in Basseterre for the first Annual General Meeting of the BCCU.
As 1982 drew to a close, the newly formed Board of Directors agreed that in order to raise funds and introduce the Union to the public, they would hold a Sidewalk Sale of Goodies over a three week period. This venture brought in $96.30.
List Of Founding Members
- Lloyd Procope
- William H. Christopher
- Althea James
- Anita Morton
- Vida V. Leader
- Helena Powell
- Felecia Phipps
- Agnetha Benjamin
- Dossity Hanley
- Curta St. Juste
- Allan Flemming
- Rebecca Flemming
- Mavis Gilpin-Payne
- Gloria Tross
- Boadicia Archibald
The first audited financial statement of the BCCU dated 31 December 1982 disclosed Total Assets of $1,818.03, and Excess Income over Expenditure of $203.03. By 1985 Total Assets had increased to $13,727.57 and Gross Surplus to $320.85. As the movement grew there was a desire to expand beyond the Basseterre basin and include members from every community in St Kitts. In March 1986, the BCCU was changed to the St Kitts Co-operative Credit Union.
Over the ensuing years the organization grew from the original fifteen members in 1982 to over 19,000 members today. As at 31 December 2021, Total Assets stood at over $204 million and Total Comprehensive Income is $2.8 million.
