Madge Lopez

"I have always been impressed by the interest taken by upper management in our credit union."

Madge Lopez was employed with Hilo Food Stores as a cash register operator in 1955 and joined the credit union soon after. Madge remembers that before the advent of computers and payroll deductions, every Friday evening Payroll Mistress, the late Margaret Gilkes, came downstairs to the office of our grocery store to pay employees, and Vilma Borely (now deceased) sat near by to collect money from employees for the credit union. "Presently I am a pensioner and I am still a member of the credit Union. I always find it a pleasure to meet the staff, and thankful for the courtesies extended to me."

Colin Miller

"Tremendous - I don't feel I could have done it without them."

Colin joined Canning's and Company on the 6th April 1961 as an Office Boy working for $15.00 a week. Two years later he joined the credit union and never once regretted this move. Colin reveals, "I built my home in 1972 working for a meagre salary with the help of the credit union," he further went on to say "I don't think I could have done it without them. The credit union has seen me through the building of my home an extension on to it, a car and a small business venture which I hope to leave for my children. With my credit union I never once had to look the way of a bank and to this day I never will." Colin proudly admits, "Everything I did, I did with the help of my credit union, Canning's Employees' Credit Union."

Chatram Ramdeo

My house, car, furniture everything. It's the best thing that ever happened to me, the best choice I made as a young man.”

Chatram Ramdeo was first employed with Diskomart in 1973 and subsequently joined the Canning's Employees' Credit Union at the tender age of 18. Chatram started saving a small sum of $2.50 a week, he says "I really went from there, everything I own I got through the credit union my house, car, furniture everything." Chatram explains that the credit union is responsible for his good financial position. He is able to help his children further their education, his first son is presently in Manchester and his second son is studying right here in Trinidad and Tobago. He also explains how pleased he is with his treatment here at the Credit Union and goes on to say, "When I come here, how they handle me and treat me, I feel good."

Clement Trumpet

"I purchased my Maxi Taxi through the credit union."

Clement Trumpet is presently self-employed driving his Maxi Taxi, which he got through the credit union. Clement started in the Canning's group in 1963 working at the time for Quesnel & Fernandez. He joined the credit union and has been a member ever since. Clement testifies that he does not have much to do with the bank. The economy was bad, times were tough for him and he could not qualify for a bank loan. He got a loan from the credit union to purchase land and later built his house where he presently lives with his family. He explains, "The credit union bailed me out, I can safely say had it not been for the credit union I would hardly achieve anything."

Marie Cecile Gill

"The service is wonderful, you cannot beat back CECU."

Marie joined the credit union as a sub member through her husband Peter Gill (now deceased). She has been with the credit union for the past thirty years. The credit union has helped her in all areas of her life. When her husband passed away in 1978 she chose to stay on as a sub member and to this day has never regretted the decision. "Everything around me is because of the CECU my car, the land I built my home on, and everything in it."

Carlyle Fullerton

"The credit union has been my banker and advisor"

Carlyle joined Canning and Company as an office boy in the 1960's. He was working for very little and wanted to have all the nice things he saw but simply could not have afforded anything. A member approached him and advised him to join the credit union as they could help him save his money. Because of regular contributions he was able to save and purchase land and build his own home. He says, "The credit union advised me financially. All my loans were investments and assets. I encourage as many people to join."

Elsa Mieux

"The credit union is the saviour of the poor working class. It is a fabulous institution."

Elsa Mieux started working with Hilo Queen Street in 1955 and joined the Credit Union shortly after. Elsa says it's the best decision she ever made, and she made use of it right through. She says to this date she never had a loan with a bank. Her mortgage was done through the credit union, the renovations to her house were done through the credit union and the car she purchased was done through the credit union. "CECU was always there for me and always kind to me."

Gail Keshwar

"The credit Union concept was the best way for me to save money"

Gail explains, "although I had my "fun" loans over the years, I made a conscious effort to space my loan applications, or increase shares whenever possible. This practice augured well for me in later years when my application for a down payment to purchase a home, landed me in an interview with the late Beryl Yearwood, whose comments remain with me ! "When I saw this child's loan application my recommendation to the Credit Committee was how can we help this child?" I was guided about my options within the credit union policy to make my dream become a reality. It was a challenge as I worked toward the goal to qualify for my first big loan, which I was later granted."

Deanne Simpson

Deanne has been working with Canning's Employees Credit Union for the past thirty (30) years. She has seen the credit union move from manual to modern computerized systems. As Office Manager Deanne ensures that both staff and Credit Union members are well taken care of, she says "The good thing about the credit union is the people. They are the ones who make this a great experience."

Deborah Byng

If there was one person who grew up in this credit union, it is Deborah Byng. Debbie started at Canning's in December 1972 when she was a mere sixteen (16) years old as a temporary Clerk. Now as a Loans Officer she is able to assist members financially. Debbie says "all I have achieved and learned was right here at the credit union. I am happy to be here and I wish Canning's Employees Credit Union another successful fifty (50) years."

Paula Pierre

Paula has been employed with the credit union for the past twenty six (26) years. She came in as a Clerk Typist and now is the friendly face you meet when members come in to update their accounts. Throughout the years she has worked with many persons and various systems and admires the highly confidential nature, which is a trademark with her credit union. Paula says "I think we have the best members, and I am grateful for their trust."

Louis Girod

Louis Girod is referred to as the Godfather of the Credit Union. He is remembered for his straightforward nature and very high moral standards. Mr. Girod left school when he was in form three and started working from the tender age of 16 years. He worked his way from the bottom up and as a result knew everything about the business; he practically gave his whole life to the company. Fr. Girod, the first of his eight children remembers his father cycling down from his Picton Street home to open the store every morning. Louis Girod was a very spiritual person and always sought to understand the plight of his workers. It is in seeing their struggle; he initiated the credit union movement in Canning and Company. Mr. Girod arranged for a study group to be formed for two years and formally established the Canning's Employees' Credit Union in 1952. It is because of Louis Girod's sensitivity to the struggle of his fellow worker Canning's Employees' Credit Union is able to celebrate 50 years of Commitment - a century's worth of service today.

Thomas Rampersad

Thomas Rampersad holds a special place in the history of our Canning's Employees' Credit Union. He started of as a delivery boy in 1948 working for Louis Girod, Purchasing Manager for Canning and Company. Mr. Rampersad worked his way up to General Manager- Caribbean Operations-CUNA Mutual Insurance Society. More importantly however, it is because of Thomas's kind heart and the desire in him to help his fellow brother that our credit union is here today. Thomas is one of thirteen siblings and he grew up in Maracas Valley. His formal education ended at 7th standard primary school, but this was not a deterrent for him. By his early twenties he was an ardent Catholic and was heavily influenced by the teachings of the church about the conditions of working people. When Thomas learnt about the credit union movement he made it his vocation. When the opportunity was right he sought to put this concept into practice. Thomas Rampersad is the fellow who put into play the cooperative concept to relieve a young chap named Phenmore Cummings from the clutches of the moneylender.

Sheila Chaves

Mrs. Sheila Chaves had been with Canning and Company since 1949. Sheila started off in the Accounts department in Canning and Co. and worked her way up to Personnel Assistant, a position she held until retirement. Sheila holds a wealth of information about every employee who passed through Hilo Food Stores and to this day still serves as the Assistant Secretary on the Credit Union's Board of Directors. A foundation member of the organization, she recalls that a friend told her about plans to form a Credit Union and got her interested in joining it. "She told me that I could save as little as 25 cents a week and that I would be eligible for loans."

Johnny Chong Sing

Johnny Chong Sing started with Canning and Company in 1956 as an Accounts Clerk and was promoted to Systems Analyst in the computer department in the late 1950's. Johnny remembers that at the start of the credit union a manual system was used to record all savings from members in a copybook. The Board at the time saw the need to improve this method of recording and Johnny came up with a ledger card system (still in existence today), this worked for a while but this too became very cumbersome because the membership was growing rapidly and a decision was made to computerize the system. Johnny was called upon to design this system. He is still a very active member of the credit union, he believes that the success of the credit union is due to the interaction of all managers in credit union activities.