Johnathan Brown elected president of credit union group

Johnathan Brown, retired director of domestic debt in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, has been elected president of the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) at it 69th annual general meeting held on May 22.

Brown succeeds Yvonne Rick-guard, attorney-at-law in the area civil litigation, land and estate law who demitted office after serving for three years. JCCUL is the umbrella group for Jamaica's credit unions which totalled 45 at last count. It has the responsibility for the overall direction and coordination of the national credit union movement. In 2007, Rickguard became the first female president of the league and still remains a member of the board of the Portland Credit Union.

Brown, who is also a member of the board of Churches Co-operative Credit Union, left the government service in January 2010 after giving some 38 years of service combined.

"We expect to continue to grow and provide more benefits for our members," said Brown.

"Expect the movement to face certain challenges particularly with BOJ regulation, although we have already agreed in principle on it, but challenges which can be overcome," added Brown.

Brown also noted that opportunities for consolidation may result, ones which certainly they expect to grab.

The president's position is for a three-year term, the period of time in which Brown is expected to serve the league.