CARIBPIX is taking this opportunity to bring you the WELCOME REMARKS of MR. STEVE BELLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER at the OPENING OF NEW C.O.B. SIX ROADS BRANCH – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020
Mr. Glendon Belle. ( pictured above )
Honourable Ryan Straughn, Minister in the Ministry of Finance,
Honourable Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security & Member of Parliament for St Philip South,
Honourable Minister John King, Minster in the Prime Minister’s Office & Member of Parliament for St Philip West,
Hon. Dr. Sonia Browne, Member of Parliament for St. Philip North,
Members of the Board and Management of the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited,
Members of the media, Specially invited guests, Ladies and gentlemen.
Good afternoon!
It is my pleasure, as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited, to warmly welcome you to the official opening of our newest branch. The Six Roads, St Philip branch.
Undertaken during the disruption of the COVID 19 pandemic, this project was a labour of love for the leadership and management. For us all, it is truly a dream come true, despite the daunting challenges we faced along the way. To have reached this point, where we are officially opening
this afternoon, is great cause for jubilation and celebration.
This branch, COB’s first outside of urban St Michael, is the result of years of research and dedication. For the Board and Management Team, it represents, most importantly, the fulfillment of a commitment to our members to meet their needs wherever they are.
Our initial research for a suitable location in St. Philip always centered around Six Roads. Why? Because this community occupies a central location and has always been the hub of the entire parish. Or, as St Philip residents would say, the unofficial capital.
It has been amazing to witness the exponential growth which has occurred in St Philip over the past 25 or so years. This growth, driven by internal migration from other parts of the island, has not only seen the emergence of several new residential communities; it has also, note-worthily,
seen the rapid commercial expansion of Six Roads with the opening of many businesses by established Barbadian brands.
COB determined it would not be unrepresented. We saw a great opportunity here. We also were aware of a strong desire by our members in the East to have their own branch, instead of always having to journey to town. A branch that was easily accessible and which offered the full range
of COB services and solutions. That dream is now a reality. A clear demonstration that COB indeed cares! I wish, at this time, to thank everyone who contributed to making this dream a reality for the COB family.
What makes this branch particularly special? Never before in our 37 years have we had a presence outside the parish of St. Michael. To take this bold step, at a time when our country is facing some really robust challenges, is a testament to the commitment and determination of our credit union family. Here at Six Roads, our members will enjoy seamless transaction of their
business, along with excellent service.
We have sought to strike the right balance between cutting edge technological solutions and maintaining that personal touch for which COB credit union is known. We are confident our members in St. Philip, St. John and nearby parts of St George and Christ Church will find this new location most convenient — exactly what they wished for. We are very pleased indeed to have brought the COB brand to the east of the island.
Imagine coming into this branch here and, with just a press of a button, you can select what type of transaction you wish to do and learn exactly how long you have to wait before interacting with one of our team members. Based on this information, you can decide what to do with your time.
Do you wish to run at a store next door to pick up an item or do you wish to just wait, use the available Wi-Fi to check the latest news or stay in contact with family and friends? After completing your transaction, why not tell them about the friendly environment and the wonderful service you have received?
As a responsible corporate citizen, Team COB understands that our ability to adapt to the changing needs of members is of paramount importance. This branch will continue our drive towards the empowerment and development of all Barbadians. For an indigenous financial intuition to make such a huge investment during a most trying economic period, is evidence of our determination to make difference in the lives of our members and citizens.
In conclusion, I wish to applaud the vision of our Board, committees, management and staff in working to make this historic moment a reality. Well done! I also wish to assure you, our members and the general public of COB’s commitment to continue providing the best possible financial solutions and services. So, here’s to the success of our new Six Roads branch and, by extension, the continued prosperity of COB Credit Union.
Thank you!
We at CARIBPIX.NET is now providing you with some images from the event.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Hon. Ryan R. Straughn M.P ( second from right ) assisted by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture
Hon. John King ( third from right ) in the cutting of the ribbon to declare the Building officially open. Others in the picture are from left are CEO, City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mr. Glendon Belle, President COB City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mr. Adlai Stevenson and extreme right The Manager of the Six Roads, St Philip branch Ms. Suzanne Brice-Haynes.
Prayer & Blessing – Director, City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Senator Dr. Lynette Holder.
Remarks – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture
Hon. John King.
Remarks – President COB City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mr. Adlai Stevenson.
Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks – Vice President C.O.B. City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mrs Celeste Foster.
From left to right – The Manager of the Six Roads, St Philip branch Ms. Suzanne Brice-Haynes, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Hon. Ryan R. Straughn M.P: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture
Hon. John King and President COB City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mr. Adlai Stevenson.
The Manager of the Six Roads, St Philip branch Ms. Suzanne Brice-Haynes taking Minister in the Ministry of Finance Hon. Ryan R. Straughn M.P. on a tour of the Branch. 
The Manager of the Six Roads, St Philip branch Ms. Suzanne Brice-Haynes taking Minister in the Ministry of Finance Hon. Ryan R. Straughn M.P. on a tour of the Branch followed by President COB City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited
Mr. Adlai Stevenson.
Straughn: Real Time Banking Coming Soon
By November next year, banking institutions will be able to transact business in real time.
This disclosure came from Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, as he delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony for the Six Road’s Branch of the City of Bridgetown (COB) Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., on Wednesday evening.
Mr. Straughn told his audience that all of the key players had been working assiduously for the past two years to get the systems going.
“We have given a mandate that we want to make it as easy for people to do business with government, and for the government to do business with people. But equally, that the coconut vendor at the side of the road on Sunday morning, the hairdresser, the barber, the person who has the small shop, and the doctor, we want to be able to onboard technologically these persons, such that we are able to break down the barriers that have barred the growth of the small business sector for too long.
“As we introduce that real time payment system, and equally as we introduce new measures for credit reporting next year, … then we know that we’ll be able to unlock access to credit, simply because we would have given any business, no matter the size, the opportunity to leverage technology, and allow them for the first time in our history to be able to go to any financial institution with credible records, such that they will be able to access credit and be able to expand.”
Minister Straughn gave the assurance that Government had been working with the credit union movement to move things along, while admitting that they do not always seem to move at the pace one would want all the time. He said the COVID-19 pandemic has taught that all must re-examine everything that they do.
He continued: “So, we have not been playing dead, so to speak, during this COVID time. We have been working, and next year, early in January, I will be laying in Parliament, the National Payment Systems Bill, which will lay the legislative framework upon which the digitisation of payments across the country will take place.
“The work to implement the Automated Clearing House is well on the way and by November of next year, all of the eight of the major financial institutions, which include the City of Bridgetown, will be a part of that,” he stated.
Branch Manager of COB Six Roads, Suzanne Brice-Haynes, giving Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, a tour of the new branch yesterday. (GP)The Minister told his audience that Government would be seeking to allow credit unions to be brought into the deposit insurance framework, to ensure parity with respect to the treatment of financial institutions.
Minister with responsibility for Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, John King, commended COB on its latest achievement, highlighting the critical role the institution has played in culture.
“What, however, really stood out for me is their contribution to culture and the arts. They have, over the years, sponsored various events such as folk concerts and partnered with the Calypso Tents for Crop Over,” he indicated.
Mr. King underscored the valuable role credit unions play in the economy, noting that more families would be turning to them because of the pandemic.
President of COB, Adlai Stevenson, said the branch, COB’s fourth, had been built at a cost of $3.3 million, and would employ close to 25 persons.
“Additionally, this building will house our virtual branch and disaster recovery centre, from where we will run our entire business in the event of an emergency, as well as drive our quest to being the fintech institution of choice for our members,” he stated.
Mr. Stevenson noted that COB was involved in the general move to electronic payment platforms and disclosed that the institution would shortly launch its contact-less international debit card, as well as a suite of merchant services.
Chief Executive Officer, Steve Belle, said this branch was COB’s first outside of urban St. Michael.
sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb
