Edu-Com Credit Union an extended family, dedicated to service

He was only 20 years old when he began working as a file clerk at the Portland Co-operative Credit Union. Although unsuccessful in that position, he received a scholarship from the general manager at the time, and that is where his career in the finance industry began. Fast-forward 19 years later, and Elvis King, now CEO of Edu-Com Co-operative Credit Union, reiterates how important credit unions are to the people of Jamaica.

According to him: “Credit unions are more than just financiers: They are people centric and interested in serving people.

“King’s journey to the Co-operative Credit Union is no accident. He started as a loan officer at AAMM Co-operative Credit Union (AAMM), where he was filling in for an employee who was on leave. The credit union was impressed by King’s work ethic, and he transitioned into various roles, holding the positions of marketing manager and loans manager, and was eventually appointed to general manager for AAMM.

“There were challenges,” King explains. “I was young and was given the task to lead a senior team, but I had a vision for the credit union and that was to implement a service culture within the organisation”. King describes the transition as a challenging one. However, by sharing with the team members his vision, they were able to implement the changes necessary to create a service culture at the credit union.

He revealed: “I will say to my team, ‘put yourself in the other person’s shoes, visualise yourself on the other side, and think about how you would like to be treated as a customer’.”

King describes his team as one that is supportive and believes that without teamwork, it would be virtually impossible to create the synergy needed to add value for its members. “I have an open-door policy where the team is allowed to express their concerns and ideas. We don’t always agree; however, we always do what’s best for our members.”

Impacting Education

While serving its members, Edu-Com Co-operative Credit Union is also making a positive impact in the education sector. For more than 24 years, the credit union has adopted the Albert Street Basic School – located in the inner-city community of Franklyn Town – an initiative that was previously undertaken by the former AAMM Co-operative Credit Union.

According to King, “This initiative has allowed us to bring staff members, teachers, and residents together as we believe in making the facilities suitable for our children.” The credit union has assisted with installing new bathroom facilities, painting the school building, repairing its roof and a kitchenette, where the meals are prepared for the children.

In addition to improving the school’s infrastructure, the credit union contributes a stipend to the school teachers. “We are proud to be a part of our children’s future, as the credit union is elated in giving towards their education,” King said. The credit union was able to award $2.4 million to 100 GSAT students in 2018.

“The credit union is an extended family,” King shares. “We know the needs of our members and attempt to fulfil those needs by the bond we create through our service.”