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She further pledged FHC’s continued commitment to fulfill its mantra of focusing on member centered initiatives and to continue identifying and honouring opportunities, through which FHC can serve the people in the environment in which they operate. The business and operations of St. Thomas Co-operative Credit Union Limited was transferred to FHC in 2015. The merger was borne out of a mutual strategic vision of expanding Agriculture/ Micro and Small Business lending to assist farmers and cultivate entrepreneurship across rural Jamaica. Also bringing greetings at the groundbreaking ceremony were Chairman of FHC’s Board of Directors and President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’Neil Grant, and Group CEO of Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, Robin Levy.
Permanent Office being built for Morant Bay Branch After serving St. Thomas residents for six (6) years, FHC Credit Union is now establishing a permanent office in Morant Bay. The announcement was made during the Ground Breaking Ceremony on Tuesday, December 14 with the aim of completing construction and commencing operations at the new location in late 2022.
Artists’ impression of the FHC Credit Union St. Thomas Branch to be built at 2 Debtors Lane in Morant Bay, St. Thomas.
For his part, Chairman of the Board at FHC, Mr. O’Neil Grant shared that he is extremely proud to commemorate the occasion of FHC’s permanent office and considers it a signal of the Credit Union’s commitment to the residents of St. Thomas and by extension its communities.
CEO Roxann Linton posited at the occasion that, “ it is a celebration of expansion, which will enable us to offer quality service and stability, as well as to support the charge given to further develop St. Thomas and its communities in order to stimulate their growth.”
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The Members at the St. Thomas Branch have access to a suite of over forty-two savings, loans, and investment products and services to meet every stage of life. The new building will be constructed at 2 Debtors Lane in Morant Bay. FHC Credit Union currently has eleven (11) branches across Jamaica, they are located in, Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Clarendon, Manchester, and St. James.
Sharing in photograph at the ground breaking ceremony for FHC Credit Union St. Thomas Branch are Chairman, FHC Credit Union, O’Neil Grant (left); CEO First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union, Roxann Linton (second left); CEO Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, Robin Levy (second right), and long-serving Member, Claudette Gilzine.
Chief Executive Officer, FHC Credit Union Roxann Linton bringing greetings at FHC St. Thomas Branch Ground Breaking ceremony on December 14, 2021.
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Foundation’s mandate is to “assist and create possibilities for those in need, especially for the most vulnerable in our society”. “At this time we see that children are facing challenges as it relates to education and so for the academic year to date, FHC through its Foundation, has already contributed $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries to primary and tertiary scholars,” she informed. Acting Chief Education Officer, Dr. Kasan Troupe, in her remarks, said that the donation from the FHC Foundation is well appreciated. Dr. Troupe said she is particularly pleased that 40 special needs students will benefit from the support. They attend institutions such as the Windsor School of Special Education in St. Catherine; the Lister Mair Gilby School - May Pen Unit, Clarendon; the Carberry Court Special School, and the Randolph Lopez School of Hope in St. Andrew. Chairman of the FHC Foundation, Ms. Leodis Douglas shared during the ceremony that the Foundation continues to impact the lives of many young Jamaicans not only through scholarships, and bursaries, but also grants to young entrepreneurs annually through their Entrepreneur Awards. The FHC Foundation’s mandate is to transform lives through the creation of opportunities for the youth of Jamaica, particularly in the areas of education and sports and have, over the years, been making significant contributions by way of cash and kind to these causes.
FHC Foundation and FHC Credit Union have donated 100 tablets to students from institutions across the island, including those with special needs.
Since its establishment in 2014, the Foundation has been consistently and effectively promoting the development of Jamaican youth, in particular disadvantaged children and young people in primary, secondary and tertiary schools through education and sports. In addition, facilitating programmes which assist young people in improving their capabilities through skills training and to facilitate them in creating and pursuing economic opportunities to better their lives.
The donation, is in support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ initiative, which has been supporting academic learning for students during the global pandemic. The devices were handed over to the Ministry during a ceremony held on Thursday, November 11, at the FHC’s head office in Kingston. Chief Executive Officer of FHC, Roxann Linton, said that part of the
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CEO Roxann Linton in conversation with Acting Chief Education Officer, Dr.Kasan Troupe during a small handover ceremony at FHC’s Head Office.
Chairman FHC Foundation, Leodis Douglas (left), Chief Executive Officer Roxann Linton (2nd left), Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Kasan Troupe (right) shares in photographs with student and teacher of Carberry Court Special School during the handover ceremony at FHC Credit Union.
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Furnishings.” This was highlighted at the Programme launch by Edison Galbraith, General Manager, Loan Origination & Portfolio Management. The purpose of the programme is to assist businesses to digitalize, retool, and refinance. This can be beneficial to entrepreneurs who are in need of capital support, new capital expenditure, debt consolidation, refinancing of high interest rate business loans, financing of business overdrafts and credit cards as well as to assist with the purchasing of real estate for business. The products being offered are Go-Digital voucher, which is a grant of up to $300,000 to provide software and consultancy services for MSMEs looking to digitize their business; Go-Digital loan, which offers MSMEs up to $800,000 to procure hardware needed for the digitization process; and the SERVE Loan, which is financing of up to $10M with a maximum repayment term of 8 years at 5%. Under the DBJ Go-Digital voucher product, FHC has partnered with RESOLVE IT - a consultant firm, which will serve as a good source of lead generation for MSMEs looking to start or continue the digitization process. The Credit Union’s Micro and Small Business Loan Unit (MSBLU) will also be providing referrals to RESOLVE IT for persons who need assistance accessing the GO-Digital vouchers and services needed to complete the process. FHC and Resolve IT’s first joint venture was on Saturday, October 2, where founder, Almando Cox, was joined by the FHC for a MSME Webinar. On this platform, the Credit Union shared how MSMEs can access the financing needed for their digitization process.
Entrepreneurs are now able to access DBJ SERVE products through the Micro and Small Business Loan Unit (MSLBU) at First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHC). The DBJ SERVE programme has made available $3 billion in low-cost loans and grants to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FHC retains close partnership with the DBJ and is the go-to Approved Financial Institution /Micro Finance Institution for their referrals. The DBJ SERVE products will be available until March 2022, and business operators are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity being offered.
FHC Credit Union was the first institution to book a loan under the SERVE programme to member, Terine Sewell, who operates an online décor and home furnishings business called “Sapphire Décor & Home
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Seven (7) tertiary and thirty (30) secondary level students are now the recipients of scholarships and bursaries through the FHC Foundation and the First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union valued at over $1.7 Million. FHC takes great pride in investing in the future generations, especially those who are in need of financial assistance, as a means to empower them to accomplish their dreams. “Getting this scholarship means a bundle of joy to me because I realize that other persons see the potential in me to make my dreams come true, so for that I am grateful,” said, awardee Deandre Haughton. Hailing from western Jamaica, Haughton was successful in securing the Oswald Thorbourne Scholarship valued at $250,000.00 and is studying at the University of the West Indies. This occasion marked the launch of the FHC Credit Union Moments of Joy Programme where the Credit Union seeks to give back to its members, the community, and by extension contribute to the welfare of the nation. Oswald Thorbourne scholarship awardee Deandre Haughton photographed with Ms. Carlene Coley, Senior Marketing Officer at FHC Credit Union during a handover presentation recently.
Then Assistant General Manager - Marketing, Communications and Member Experience, Juven Montague-Anderson shared that, “FHC Credit Union is always ready and willing to assist students with their educational pursuits. The timeless concept of people helping people is the core of the Credit Union’s existence and to have an impact on the lives of our youth means having an impact on not only their future, but that of our country.”
her achievement in PEP exams to God. Blake aspires to become a lawyer and has commenced studies at Immaculate Conception High School.
Since the Foundation’s inception in 2015, it has partnered with the FHC Credit Union to make a difference in the lives of many Jamaicans who are striving to achieve their goals. Another awardee, Dejanae Blake, a PEP scholarship recipient, says she manifests her successes through the Bible verse, Philippians 4:13 , and credits
Several young people are now in a better position to afford educational expenses because of the generosity of FHC and many of the awardees have praised the institution for stepping up and investing in the next generation. Ashley Evans, recipient of the Renald Mason Scholarship, also shared on how she is beyond grateful that the Credit
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Union invested in her education. “At the beginning of summer when I first heard about this opportunity, I must admit I was hesitant but my mother encouraged me to take a chance on myself and pray… this scholarship has made a way for me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming an auditor and my heart is overwhelmed with joy.” FHC Credit Union through its Foundation offers three types of scholarships annually, namely, PEP for students at the primary level transitioning to secondary as well as the Oswald Thorbourne and Renald Mason scholarships, which are available to tertiary level students.
PEP scholarship recipient Dejanae Blake photographed with Mrs. Christine Bucknor, General Manager of Human Resource Development at FHC Credit Union during a handover presentation recently.
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FHCCU CIVIL SERVANTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY (2021)
(l-r) CEO, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU), Roxann Linton; Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, The Honourable Marsha Smith, MP; and FHC Credit Union Chairman and President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’Neil Grant. The three caught up during the 2021 staging of the FHCCU Civil Servants of the Year Awards Ceremony held on Friday, November 26 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. FHCCU has been a long-standing sponsor of the annual event geared to honour the outstanding efforts of civil servants. The initiative remains the highlight of Civil Service Week during November.
2021 winners of First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union’s (FHCCU) Civil Servants of the Year Awards were honoured during ceremonial proceedings held in observance of COVID-19 protocols. (l-r) Winner in the Technical Support category, Claighton McCalla of the Clarendon Health Department; winner in the Management category - Andrine Davidson of the Jamaica Information Service; and winner in the Middle Management category - Ronald Frue of the Administrator General’s Department proudly show off their plaques and citations during the prestigious event on Friday, November 26 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.
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(Back row: l-r) FHC Credit Union Chairman and President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’Neil Grant; Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, The Honourable Marsha Smith, MP; and CEO, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU), Roxann Linton join winners of the FHCCU Civil Servants of the Year Awards Ceremony held on Friday, November 26 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. (Front row: l-r) Winner in the Technical Support category, Claighton McCalla, of the Clarendon Health Department; winner in the Management category - Andrine Davidson, of the Jamaica Information Service; and winner in the Middle Management category - Ronald Frue, of the Administrator General’s Department. This year marks the 17th year since the implementation of the initiative which seeks to honour the efforts of outstanding civil servants, who make up a large portion of FHCCU’s member base. The winners were awarded plaques, citations and cheques of $200,000 each and $150,000 towards a combined social upliftment project.
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President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, O’Neil Grant (back row: left) and CEO, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHCCU), Roxann Linton (back row: right) join nominees of the 2021 FHCCU Civil Servants of the Year Awards Ceremony held on Friday, November 26 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. Winners in the three categories (Middle Management, Management and Technical Support) Ronald Frue, Andrine Davidson and Claighton McCalla (front: l-r) show off their plaques. The winners also received citations and cheques of $200,000 each and $150,000 towards a combined social upliftment project.
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CREDIT UNION DAY 2021 WE CELEBRATED CREDIT UNION DAY ACROSS ALL BRANCHES BY BRINGING MOMENTS OF JOY TO OUR MEMBERS WITH TOKENS OF APPRECIATION.
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Ensure that valuable personal possessions (e.g. cash and high end electronic devices) are properly secured or concealed. Thieves are utilizing motorcycles and other vehicles to commit robberies. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid using devices like earphones while commuting. Trust your judgement, if you feel there may be a threat, go somewhere safe such as your nearest police station. Avoid wearing excessive jewelry, particularly gold, especially when walking in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Always ensure that your house and car keys are easily accessible to minimize the time it takes to enter your home and vehicle. Walk in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone. If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts and proceed to a crowded area, maintain your vigilance and go to the nearest police station if possible.
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1. Arrears - A payment method where the payer pays the payee after the work they are being paid for has been completed. The term can also apply to a late payment. 2. Beneficiary - The recipient of an item or asset, generally after its original owner has died. 3. Compound interest - A method of calculating interest where you earn a percentage not just of the principal amount but the principal plus any previously earned interest. 4. Credit history - The record of your credit usage habits over time that includes a list of all your credit accounts (student loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc.) as well as information on whether you make payments on time, the ages of your accounts, any recent credit inquiries, and your credit utilization. 5. Debt-to-income ratio - Your debt-to-income ratio is the total amount of your monthly liabilities (mortgage, credit card debt, student loans, and any other money you owe on a monthly basis) divided by the amount that you earn each month before taxes.
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