The Saint Lucia Cooperative Credit Union League is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary.

To commemorate the event, the league opened its new headquarters in William Peter Boulevard, Castries.

Aaron Moses, President of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions commended the local institution’s efforts.

“I was particularly intrigued as the leadership of the movement took us through the various trials, challenges and difficulties they experienced, and as we know sometimes in the credit union movement we take too long to make decisions and we do not always live the values—referring specifically to cooperation amongst co-operators, and so it was indeed difficult, but their hard work was not in vain.”

He reminded the members of the important role served by the institution.

“The credit union movement in the Caribbean is the second largest mobilizer of savings, and you know savings is the foundation of investment and stimulating economic growth. We have the ability to bring small savers together, enable the small saver to accumulate assets that will make them credit worthy, and give them access to the financial system. In the process we enhance lives, we allow people to achieve their dreams and aspirations—dreams of educating their children, dreams of owning a home—and in the process they transition from the lower ends of society into the middle class. And in doing so we contribute to the socio-economic stability of our societies."

Other speakers at the event included Sylvester Dickson, president of the League, and the League’s General Manager Christal Charles.