MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Last month First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union celebrated its fifth anniversary.

The entity came about in 2012 due to the merger of the Churches Co-operative Credit Union and the GSB Co-operative Credit Union.

Since then FHC has also taken over the operations of the St Thomas Co-operative Credit Union.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw, who was in attendance at the celebratory church service at the New Beulah Moravian Church in Mandeville, lauded the financial institution for its growth and profitability.

“Continue to pursue excellence. We are at a time now where we have to not just lend money, but educate those that we lend money, to spend responsibly [and] invest in something that has returns,” he urged.

Shaw said that Bank of Jamaica regulations would always take into consideration the “uniqueness” of the credit union movement.

Chief Executive Officer of the First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Roxann Linton said they are depending on the feedback of the customer base for its continued growth.

“Tell us the truth as it is, both the good and the not so good, the way families do. This is the only way we will continue to build on this very great legacy that you have helped to create,” she said.

At the anniversary church service Linton made a contribution on behalf of her organisation to a bus drive initiative at the New Beulah Moravian Church.

— Alicia Sutherland