A Show of Unity and Trust at Holy Redeemer Credit Union’s 82nd AGM  

It was a full house and a show of confidence. On Saturday, hundreds of members filled the Belize Civic Center for the Eighty-second Annual General Meeting of Holy Redeemer Credit Union, turning the spotlight on performance, progress, and what comes next. From reviewing the numbers to voting on leadership and key financial decisions, member-owners took an active role in steering one of Belize’s most trusted institutions. The energy in the room reflected more than tradition, it showed a community invested in its future. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.

 

Wendy Castillo, President, Holy Redeemer Credit Union

“When Belizeans hear the name HRCU, Holy Redeemer Credit Union, it beholds in our minds and hearts a credit union that is trusted across generations. A corporative movement of people helping people on one that simply care for each other and in empowering each other come. When you hear HRCU you think of a financial partner one that helps turn dreams into reality.”

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For more than eighty years, Holy Redeemer Credit Union has delivered affordable banking and accessible loans to Belizeans. Now one of the country’s largest credit unions, HRCU marked its Eighty-second Annual General Meeting this weekend. Human Resource Manager Mark Menzies says the gathering plays a key role in keeping the institution strong and member-focused.

 

Mark Menzies, HR Manager, Holy Redeemer Credit Union

“We call it the big dance, because it’s very important. As a credit union, we have to have an AGM every year. It’s by law, and that’s where we present our dividends and our rebates to our members. So we give back to our members. HRCU, we have almost over sixty-eight thousand member owners. And this is the time when all the members come and they listen to what is happening and what is new.”

 

The meeting gives member-owners the chance to ask questions, review growth, and hear key financial highlights. Castillo explains that this is a necessary process to ensure accountability within the HRCU.

 

Wendy Castillo

“This year we are clocking in a total asset of eight hundred seventy-six point one million. We also have growth in membership. Last year we were at sixty-five thousand plus. This year we’re at sixty-seven thousand plus in membership. Our loan portfolio remains strong, simply to put it to task and to the facts of it is that we continue to lend to our members. We continue to empower our members to financial growth by providing competitive interest rates. We continue to grow and grow with the economy and to help our economy grow by providing these small loans and investment loan to the commercial sector.”

 

Members are also rewarded for attending the event with opportunities to win cash prizes. Menzies says it’s another way HRCU gives back to the members who keep it going strong.

 

Mark Menzies

“It’s always big. I believe most members, they love the credit union, they love the movement, and they love what the credit union is about. This year we’re raffling- Probably thirty thousand dollars in prizes. So we have twenty-five one thousand dollar prizes, and we also have a grand prize of five thousand dollars. And then also, once you scan the QR code, you’re in another raffle for, six raffles for six hundred. So I think that is what is attracting a lot of members to come, no, the raffles. But they also want to hear what is happening with the institution.”

 

As technology advances and the memberships continues to grow, HRCU is moving towards more innovate services and has committed to assisting all members with the use of efficient, reliable tools.

 

Mark Menzies

“We have so many services that we offer. We do a lot of online services. You can access your account online from abroad or in Belize. You can transfer money from HRCU to all the banks and other credit unions. So we try to move along with technology. Right now everything is your phone and once, one time we used to say, the young people are very much into their phone, but now it’s everyone.”

 

Earlier this year, the HRCU expanded into Belmopan, recognizing the growing demand for services in the capital and the wider Cayo District. Castillo shares that the Belmopan branch is already performing well, and the union hopes to continue expanding into every district. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

In an uncontested race, Carol Babb was elected as the HRCU’s Vice President.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: