We are a Credit Union that emerged from the self-help Financial Co-operatives in Germany during the 19th century, and was established to provide financial services to poor rural and urban citizens who lacked access to traditional banking services. The idea of Credit Unionism spread to North America and the Caribbean, with Credit Unions being the sole source of credit for many lower and middle-income individuals during the economic downturn of the 1930s-1940s. In Dominica, Sister Alicia ICM introduced the idea of Credit Unions in the 1950s, resulting in the establishment of St. Mary's Co-operative Credit Union in 1954, which was the first rural Credit Union in the southern part of the island. The Credit Union continues to embody the philosophy of 'People Helping People', and recognizes and honours those who have contributed to its success while acknowledging that it must continue to work to ensure its continued success.