SVCBL is serious about its Corporate Social responsibility

The St Vincent Co-operative Bank Limited, also known as the “Penny Bank” and the “Forde Bank”, takes its corporate social responsibility seriously, and over the years has embarked on several initiatives aimed at giving back to the community.

The bank’s corporate social responsibility has resulted in community outreach efforts from which several persons and organizations have benefited.

One of the these initiatives saw them funding dialysis treatment for kidney patients while sensitizing persons about the seriousness of kidney disease.

Over the years, the Bank has provided financial support to several charities and other non-profit organizations, and has supported students with scholarships to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, and bursaries to students attending secondary schools.

Also, students at the Helping Hands Centre that caters for children who are differently abled, were the beneficiaries of a television set, thanks to the Penny Bank’s social committee.

The social committee came to the aid of the Helping Hands Centre after a mutual friend pointed out that the school did not have a television. Part of the funding for the 32-inch TV was raised through the sale of sweets, with the bank matching the funds raised.

The St Vincent Co-operative Bank Limited also takes pride in doing all in its power to help persons affected by natural disasters.

When La Soufriere volcano erupted in 2021, the bank donated supplies to the Rotary Club of St. Vincent in its efforts to help those who were displaced.

Back then the Bank had noted that when the volcano erupted, staff felt the need to assist those most impacted, and as a result purchased items from local suppliers to assist persons in need. They also worked along with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), and reached out to their customers in the Volcanic Red Zone.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, Chairman at the SVCBL, Marcus Ballantyne encouraged persons to join the bank, stressing the institution’s commitment to customer service.

“The advantage we have over the bigger banks is service.

“If you want to do savings, or you want to do loans, you want to buy land, want to buy a house, or you need financing for your business, and you need to move quickly, we are always there to speak to you and you don’t get a machine, you get an actual person,” Ballantyne said.

He spoke about the Bank’s five year strategic plan that was just approved, and which includes a number new undertakings.

“We have a board that has a broad range of experience,” Ballantyne added.

“We’ve been a profitable institution over the past years, and we continue to be profitable. Our financial year was January 31st, 2025, it just ended and we made a profit again this year so we are a profitable and growing institution.”