Ariza Credit Union

What Ariza Credit Union does

Ariza Credit Union Ltd. is a member-owned cooperative financial institution domiciled in St. George's, Grenada, operating since 1947 as one of the oldest credit unions in the Eastern Caribbean. It serves Grenadians by birth, descent, citizenship, or marriage, alongside all CARICOM nationals, through a four-branch physical network (St. George's, Grand Anse, Grenville, and Carriacou) plus the AMIE (Ariza Mobile & Internet Experience) digital banking platform and a Connex-branded Visa International Debit Card accepted at 30+ million locations globally via the Grenada Co-operative Bank partnership.\n\nThe product set is organized around two pillars: deposit products (Transaction Savings, Lifetime Savings at 3.00%, Fixed Deposits at 2.50–3.50%, Retirement Savings at 4.25%, Education Savings at 4.00%, Ariza Advantage at 3.5%, and Equity Shares earning annual dividends) and credit products (House Loans up to 30 years, Vehicle and Land Loans up to 10 years, Education Loans from 8.5%, Medical Loans, Flexi Credit revolving facilities up to EC$25,000, and MIFI micro-finance EC$500–5,000 processed within 3 days). The technology stack is conventional core banking infrastructure augmented by web/mobile delivery through a third-party online banking portal, loan and savings calculators, and a real estate listing service for foreclosed collateral.\n\nThe business model is a member-cooperative net interest margin plus transaction-fee engine. Revenue is generated primarily from loan interest spreads (vehicle, house, land, education, medical, Flexi, MIFI), supported by deposit interest spreads, transactional service fees (EC$10 standing orders, EC$20 official statements, EC$45 payoff letters, EC$21.36 annual debit card fees), one-time membership entrance fees (EC$20 plus EC$500 qualifying equity shares), and annual dividends paid on equity shares. Growth is driven through community-led acquisition (government salary deduction partnerships with public officers, the Excel Student Club feeder program, and 20+ merchant loyalty discounts) supplemented by digital pre-registration; the cooperative is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors led by President Alana Twum-Barimah with day-to-day management by CEO Mervyn Lord and a four-person executive team.

Name

Ariza Credit Union

Legal name

Ariza Credit Union Ltd.

Website

https://arizacu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ariza Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative founded in 1947 in St. George's, Grenada, serving Grenadian and CARICOM nationals through four branches, the AMIE digital banking platform, and a Connex Visa debit card — offering deposit products, consumer and micro-finance loans, and member services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Unions (522130)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSABAEAA

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Community & Cooperative Banking (Credit Unions, Mutuals)

SECONDARYFSAKAAAL

Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment)

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment)

SECONDARYFSABAEAL

Federations/Centrals & Cooperative Banking Networks (2nd-Tier Co-ops)

Financial & Insurance/Banking (Commerical, Retail & Consumer)/Community & Cooperative Banking (Credit Unions, Mutuals)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending
• Savings accounts
• Cooperative banking
• Microfinance loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint George's

HQ country

Grenada

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Loans: Primary revenue stream generated from interest charged on various loan products including vehicle loans, house loans, land loans, education loans, medical loans, Flexi Credit, and MIFI micro-finance solutions. Interest rates vary by product type and term length.
2. Savings Deposit Interest Spread: Revenue generated from the spread between interest paid to savers and interest earned on loans. Various savings products offered at different rates including Lifetime Savings (3.00%), Fixed Deposits (2.50%-3.50%), Retirement Accounts (4.25%), and Education Savings (4.00%).
3. Membership Fees: One-time entrance fee of EC$20.00 plus purchase of qualifying equity shares (25 shares at EC$20 each = EC$500) required to become a member. Additional equity shares available for purchase up to 20% of total share capital.
4. Service Fees and Charges: Various transactional fees including standing orders ($10.00), wire transfers ($10.00 plus bank charges), official statements ($20.00), loan payoff letters ($45.00), annual debit card fees ($21.36), replacement debit cards ($33.00), returned cheques ($50.00), and insufficient funds charges ($0.84).
5. Dividend Payments: Annual dividend payments to members on equity shares, paid in the form of cash or additional shares, contributing to member wealth accumulation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ariza Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative financial institution based in Grenada that provides savings accounts, consumer loans (vehicle, house, land, education, medical), micro-finance, and digital banking services through its AMIE platform. It serves Grenadian nationals, CARICOM nationals, non-residents, businesses, and non-profits with a full suite of deposit products, lending products, a Visa debit card, scholarships, and member loyalty benefits.

Product overview

Ariza Credit Union operates as a member-centered financial institution offering a comprehensive suite of products and services organized into four main categories: loan products (House Loan, Vehicle Loan, Land Loan, Education Loan, Medical Loan, Flexi Credit, and MIFI Micro-Finance Solution), savings products (Transaction Savings, Education Savings Plan, Fixed Deposit, Retirement Savings Plan, Lifetime Savings, Equity Shares, and Ariza Advantage Account), service offerings (Connex Visa International Debit Card, Excel Student Club, Scholarship Programs, and CUNA Online Training), and digital banking through AMIE (Ariza Mobile & Internet Experience). The platform also includes financial tools like Loan Calculator and Savings Calculator, a real estate marketplace, and a Loyalty Program. The organization has four branch locations in Grenada and serves members locally and abroad.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AMIE: Ariza Mobile & Internet Experience - Mobile and internet banking platform
• Connex
• Connex Experience

Products and services

• House Loan Mortgage financing product for purchasing or refinancing homes, with repayment terms up to 30 years and competitive interest rates. Requires 10% deposit to Regular Shares Account; life insurance required if amount exceeds EC$54,000; mortgage fee 1%, conveyance fee 1.5%, re-conveyance fee EC$288.50.
• Vehicle Loan Auto financing for new or used vehicles with flexible repayment options up to 10 years and competitive interest rates. Requires comprehensive motor vehicle insurance assigned to Credit Union.
• Land Loan Loan product for purchasing land with repayment terms up to 10 years, secured by first legal mortgage over the property.
• Education Loan Financing for secondary and tertiary education expenses including tuition, books, and living costs, with rates as low as 8.5% for Education Savings Plan holders. 10.5% per annum for ESP members, 12% for non-members; repayment terms up to 5 years; grace period up to 1 year.
• Medical Loan Financing for medical expenses including regular checkups and critical operations, with repayment terms up to five years.
• Flexi Credit Evergreen revolving credit facility providing members with flexible access to funds up to EC$25,000 with repayment over 36 months at 12% per annum on reducing balance; 20% savings required.
• MIFI Micro-Finance Solution Micro-business financing program providing EC$500-5,000 loans for entrepreneurs with minimal requirements and processing within 3 days. 3-12 month repayment, 20% savings deposit, 10% savings accumulation over loan lifetime; no collateral required.
• Transaction Savings Everyday savings account providing 24/7 access to funds via ATM with international debit card access; yields no interest; no monthly account keeping fees.
• Education Savings Plan Five-year savings plan for educational expenses with interest rate of 4.00% per annum, compounded monthly; sold in units of EC$20; funds can be used as collateral for education loans at preferential rates.
• Fixed Deposit Term deposit product with guaranteed returns; interest rates of 2.50% (1 year), 3.00% (3 years), 3.50% (5 years); minimum deposit EC$1,000.
• Retirement Savings Plan Long-term retirement savings with 4.25% per annum interest; minimum contribution EC$50; plan duration of 10 years or until member's 60th birthday.
• Lifetime Savings Primary long-term savings account earning 3.00% per annum with quarterly interest payments; used as security for loans. Money insured up to EC$13,500.
• Equity Shares Ownership stake in the credit union; minimum 25 shares required to join at EC$20 each (EC$500 total); earns dividends annually. Additional shares purchasable up to 20% of total share capital.
• Ariza Advantage Account Premium savings account offering 3.5% interest per year with no monthly fees, unlimited deposits, priority service, and added loan security benefits.
• Connex Visa International Debit Card Visa-branded international debit card enabling point-of-sale purchases locally and globally at over 30 million locations; offered in partnership with Grenada Co-operative Bank under the Connex Experience brand with shared ATM and POS network.
• Membership Account Member-owned account providing access to all credit union products and services; open to Grenadians by birth, descent, citizenship, or marriage, and all CARICOM nationals. One-time entrance fee EC$20 plus 25 equity shares at EC$20 each.
• AMIE (Ariza Mobile & Internet Experience) Mobile and internet banking platform that allows members to access their accounts, perform balance inquiries, transfers, and loan management from virtually anywhere, 24/7.
• Excel Student Club Savings program for secondary school students rewarding academic performance with EC$25 bonus for A average; accounts convert to full membership upon graduation.
• Scholarship Programs Educational assistance programs including Brighter Future Scholarship (EC$3,000 annually), Secondary School Scholarship, and Joseph Bain Scholarship for tertiary education.
• Real Estate Listings Property marketplace featuring foreclosed properties including land and residential buildings available for purchase via sealed bid.

Quantifiable outcome

• Interest rate as low as 8.5% for education loans with Education Savings Plan membership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, supporting and core.

• Grenada Athletics Association (GAA)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 February 2026Long-standing partnership supporting youth development through athletics. Ariza presented EC$50,000 sponsorship for the 2026 Ariza National Championships at Kirani James Athletics Stadium. Partnership has spanned over a decade of supporting Grenadian track and field athletes.
• Legend Way International (Ridgeway Residences)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016Partnership for housing development at Ridgeway Residences, offering members access to homes in the hills of Morne Jaloux with customizable designs in single, double, and three-bedroom varieties.
• Grenada Co-operative BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration through the Connex® Experience brand enabling Visa International Debit Card services. Partnership combines Ariza Credit Union's member-focused approach with Grenada Co-operative Bank's banking infrastructure, creating shared ATM and POS network with minimal cardholder fees and enhanced service quality.
• CUNAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCUNA CPDOnline platform provides over 350 credit union-specific training courses covering lending, member services, compliance, and more. Free access offered to all Ariza Credit Union members through online training portal.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (Jamaica): Jamaican cooperative credit union offering savings accounts, personal and mortgage loans, and digital banking to members. Comparable member-owned credit union model with a similar mix of consumer loans and retail deposits.
• Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL): Jamaican cooperative credit union network providing retail savings and lending services through affiliated credit unions. Similar community-based cooperative identity, member-focused governance, and Caribbean retail banking model to Ariza.
• Police Co-operative Credit Union (Jamaica): Jamaica-based cooperative credit union serving public-sector employees with savings, loans, and digital banking. Mirrors Ariza's historical public officer concentration and government salary deduction acquisition model.
• TATECO (Trinidad and Tobago Co-operative Credit Union League): Trinidad-based cooperative credit union league offering deposit accounts, member loans, and member-owned governance for Caribbean residents. Closely comparable cooperative structure, member-owned model, and Caribbean credit union product suite mirror Ariza's offering.
• National Workers Co-operative Credit Union (Trinidad and Tobago): One of the largest cooperative credit unions in Trinidad and Tobago, offering savings, consumer loans, mortgages, and digital banking to a member base defined by employment/membership criteria. Comparable in mission and product mix to Ariza, though operating at significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank: Large Caribbean retail and commercial bank with branches across the region, including Grenada. Overlaps with Ariza on retail deposits, consumer loans, and Visa card services, but operates with substantially larger scale and capital base.
• Republic Bank (Trinidad and Tobago): Major Caribbean commercial bank with retail and corporate banking across the region. Competes for the same Grenadian and CARICOM consumer deposits and loans as Ariza, but at materially larger scale and with a different ownership structure.
• Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited: Dominant commercial bank in Grenada operating as a full-service retail and commercial bank. Functions as Ariza's Visa debit card partner and serves overlapping customer segments, but operates with a broader commercial banking mandate and is not a credit union.
• Scotiabank Caribbean: International bank with extensive retail and commercial presence across the Caribbean, including Grenada. Directly competes for retail deposits, mortgages, and consumer loans, but at much greater scale and with broader product capability.

Regional players

• JMMB Group Limited: Caribbean financial services group offering banking, insurance, and investment solutions across Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic. Competes for the same regional retail savings and consumer credit demand but with a multi-jurisdictional footprint Ariza does not yet have.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/gpsccu/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/arizacreditunion
• Instagraminstagram.com/arizacu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ariza-credit-union

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ariza Credit Union