About AffinityPlus Credit Union
AffinityPlus Credit Union Ltd is the new name of what was the BWU Co-operative Credit Union Ltd and came into being on April 2, 2024. After 40 years of existence, the name change was part of a wider rebranding and repositioning for the Credit Union. The new brand and visual identity are bold, distinctive, as well as dynamic and coupled with a stronger focus on staff and member engagement, will ensure we capture the attention of the market to remain a Credit Union of choice.
In operation since 1983, AffinityPlus is an extremely well-capitalized, financially stable Credit Union with over 31,000 members and over BD$200,000,000 in assets under management and growing. We are one of the largest member-owned financial institutions in Barbados, with three convenient locations in Bridgetown, Speightstown and Oistins. Our aim is to be the most efficient local provider of credit union services, and we develop our full range of quality financial offerings based on cooperative principles, designed to sustain the socio-economic standards of all members, from birth to retirement.
Given our core mandate reflected in our slogan, “You’re Better With Us,” we remain committed to delivering and making it as easy and stress-free as possible for each of our members to access competitive interest rates on both loans and savings products, as well as expert financial planning advice, bill payment services and group medical insurance. As a green-minded Credit Union, we’re also focused on expanding our digital banking solutions, which currently include online bill payment, an online banking portal, as well as our SMARTNet Banking app, accessible anytime and anywhere.
Our relationship with our members extends beyond just the provision of financial services and we continuously look for creative ways to enhance the general well-being of our membership. Some of our value-added member services include our financial literacy and counselling sessions, general member educational workshops, youth scholarships, our junior savings club, as well as our WE CARE outreach programme, targeting vulnerable members and local charities. We have also introduced reading clubs and coordinated many other projects designed to make a meaningful impact, build better, stronger communities and improve the overall quality of life of our members and Barbados.
Meet Our Teams
Meet the Board of Directors
In Order of Appearance
President - Sis. Novaline Brewster
Vice President - Bro. Damian Mascoll
Secretary - Bro. Eric Smith
Treasurer - Bro. Shomari Inniss
Assistant Treasurer - Sis. Marsha Greenidge
Assistant Treasurer - Bro. Dario Arrendell
Director - Sis. Cheryl-Ann Vaughan
Meet The Supervisory Committee
In Order of Appearance
Chairperson - Bro. Harcourt Husbands
Vice Chairman - Sis. Carolyn Barton
Secretary - Sis. Serena Browne
Assistant Secretary - Bro. Kemar Saffery
Member - Bro. Sherwin Greenidge
Meet The Credit Committee
In Order of Appearance
Chairperson - Sis. Michelle Hamblim
Vice Chairman - Bro. Kemar Holder
Secretary - Sis. Ashlee Neblett
Assistant Secretary - Sis. Alicia Pilgrim
Member - Sis. Juliet Pollard
Meet The Management Team
In Order of Appearance
Chief Executive Officer - Sis. Alana Cadogan
Chief Finance Officer - Bro. Terry Bonnett
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer - Sis. Shelley Nicholls Hunte
Chief Operations Officer - Sis. Marie Theodore
Chief Human Resource & Organisation Development Officer - Sis. Deborah Currency-Hunte
Manager of Information Systems - Bro. Antonio Arthur
Marketing & Communications Manager - Sis. Valerie Hope
Branch Manager - Sis. Lisa Collymore
Branch Manager - Sis. Michaela Niles
Internal Auditor - William Payne
Why A Credit Union?
Our slogan is "You are Better With Us".
Our members are treated with dignity, respect and fairness because, after-all they are part-owners of the Credit Union.
Our products and interest rates are amongst the best on the Island, and we keep you informed! We appreciate your business and want to hear from you!
We listen and understand each member's needs and seek to provide them with access to a variety of loans beneficial to them, which will also allow them the ability to acquire assets and build wealth.
Should a member not qualify for a particular loan at such time, we will offer free Financial Planning Advice and Step-By-Step guidance on how to get there and reach your goals!
Unlike banks, all of our profits go back to our members or are reinvested into offering members a full range of flexible and competitive financial products and services. We have three conveniently located branches run by members just like you, and our staff believe in a fairer system of banking for their Country.
We pride ourselves on the ability to offer our membership a wide range of beneficial products and services including a wide range of savings and loan option, as well as convenience services like our internationally accepted debit Mastercard, our online bill payment platform, SMARTPay our online bill payment platform, and App and our Healthy Living Group Insurance Plan.
Our History
During the 1970s, the divisions of the Barbados Workers' Union (BWU) called for the establishment of a Credit Union as a symbol of the progress of hardworking Barbadians. A number of resolutions were then taken at the Annual Conference calling for the society to be established, however, it was not until the 1980s that plans were put into place for the establishment of such an organisation.
The inaugural meeting of the BWU Co-operative Credit Union Limited was held on Thursday, December 10, 1981, and was attended by sixty-eight (68) persons. A savings society was then launched on February 09, 1983.
The Credit Union was opened to receiving funds from Tuesday June 21, 1983 at the Barbados Workers' Union headquarters, which was then located at the corner of Fairchild and Nelson Streets. The BWU Co-operative Credit Union Limited was registered as a Credit Union, on July 8, 1983-number 62 in Barbados.
The first general meeting was held on Saturday July 23, 1983 at Unity House on Roebuck Street, when the first Board of Directors and other Elected Committees were established.
In 2020, the Credit Union agreed to a visual rebrand with the view of establishing a new visual identity to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, along with achieving and maintaining our desired brand positioning in the minds of staff, members and the wider financial services sector in Barbados. In November 2022, the Credit Union held a Special General Meeting to have members vote on the proposed new name of the BWU Credit Union, as the Credit Union name was part of the bylaws. The name change was approved by an overwhelming majority of members in attendance. As such, on April 2, 2024, three years after the process was started, the Credit Union changed its name to AffinityPlus Credit Union Ltd.
Over the years, the Credit Union has grown significantly and offers a wide range of quality products and services designed with members in mind. AffinityPlus Credit Union Ltd. continues to strive for excellence in the delivery of its services and the prosperity of every Member.
Our Core Values (METRICS)
Member Service – We strive to deliver a caring and effortless experience for all our members.
Excellence - We provide personable, customized, superior service in every interaction.
Teamwork - We work collaboratively and cooperatively with our staff, members, and key stakeholders.
Respect - We promote an environment of mutual respect.
Innovation - We encourage and reward innovative thought and action at every level of the Credit Union
Integrity – We seek to build trust and are highly ethical and transparent in every interaction.
Community - We care about each other and our members and strive to build community within and outside the Credit Union.
Solution-Oriented - We focus on always finding creative solutions to solve problems or challenges.
WE CARE has been adopted as the acronym for the Credit Union values: every Credit Union staff member will live by and demonstrate this to the Membership.
W - Work Ethic
E - Efficiency
C - Communication
A - Accountability
R - Responsiveness
E - Effectiveness
AffinityPlus Credit Union Limited understands its members and the need to uplift and elevate every member of society, regardless of social standing. We vow to deliver superior customer service, to respect and treat every individual with value and purpose, and to offer the highest standard of aftercare service in the Industry.
Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values, which are embedded in our Organisation and form the basis of our business planning, recruitment processes, training and leadership development.
Our employees proudly provide quality service to our members in a flexible, honest, fair and caring manner; continuously demonstrating our commitment to our members.
Let us know when we fall short of our commitment to you at info@affinityplusbb.com.
Our Mission Statement
To be the most efficient provider of Credit Union services and products, which develop and sustain the socio-economic standards of all members, based on Co-operative principles.
Our Vision Statement
To further detail our plan to realise our vision, we have created a new Vivid Vision document, which outlines what type of Credit Union we want to be in the next four years.