I Am Conference 2025: Financial Literacy Takes Centre Stage with BPWCCUL

Hundreds of young Barbadians were given key tips on financial literacy from representatives of the island’s largest credit union, the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited.

The case for the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-op was presented during at the I AM Conference by Community Relations Officer Stacy Mottley and Customer Experience Coordinators Kristian Aboab, Brent Harrison and Shantelle Linton.

Attendees were told that life is about choices and that they must distinguish between their wants and their needs to be successful in life.

They were also introduced to the concept of budgeting, either orally, in writing or through a spreadsheet at the breakout session.

Customer Experience Coordinator Kristian Aboab told them that making a budget is about coming up with a spending plan, detailing how they plan to spend the money they earn.

She also implored attendees to save immediately, whether it’s five or ten dollars a week, noting that every little bit counts and it helps to inculcate positive habits that will benefit them in the long run.

In this regard, she recommended the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Junior Savers or Junior Achievers Programme, which encourages and rewards young people who start to save from 50 dollars a month.

Ms Aboab said that if they adopt this habit, such monies will help them if they apply for a loan from the co-op in the near future.

She added that if they stay the course with the credit union in the long run, it will redound to their enormous benefit.

The Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union has over 100,000 members and offers a wide range of loans and other financial packages to Barbadians at several branches across the island.