Thrift Club is a one-of-a-kind savings account for children packaged with exciting benefits and opportunities.
It's more than just money!
Premium interest rate on their savings
Free gift on sign-up*
Developing leadership skills
Networking with children their age
Attending annual camps and parties
Developing community consciousness
Learning money management & business skills
Developing public speaking skills
Awards for excellent academic performance
The Thrift Club savings programme is carefully tailored to meet your child’s needs as they grow.
To open a Thrift Club account, simply visit any of our branches and present the following:
- Minor's identification card
- Minor's valid Passport or Birth Certificate
- Parent/Guardian's bill / bank statement as proof of address (no older than 3 months), no mobile phone bills
- Confirmation of address form (under 21) - signed by parent/guardian
- Parent/Guardian's valid photo identification 2 forms (if only one it must be National ID)
- Online banking form - signed by Parent/Guardian
- Signature Form - signed by minor (12 years and older)
- Thrift Club Membership Application Form (filled in-branch)
- A minimum opening deposit of: $50
Thrifty Cash
Thrifty Cash is the simplest way to give a new Thrift Club savings account or to build Thrift Club savings for any child up to 15 years old.
There is a world of opportunities available to a child as a Thrift Club member:
- Premium interest rate paid on their savings
- Awards for excellent academic performance
- Social development initiatives and activities
- Leadership opportunities
- Training in money management skills
- Access to the vast network of credit union professionals & volunteers
Terms and Conditions
- Vouchers must be purchased and redeemed for the value on the face of the voucher.
- Vouchers can only be redeemed by in-branch deposit to a valid Thrift Club account.
- Once issued, vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited is not liable for lost or stolen vouchers.
School Savers Programme
Our Thrift Club School Savers Programme was launched with the primary objective to prepare our nation’s youth to contribute to a financially literate and capable Barbadian population.
The programme provides an avenue for practical money management experiences through emphasizing from early, the financial concepts of Earning, Saving, Spending and Charitable Giving.
Students aged 8 – 15 years old in any local primary or secondary school have the opportunity through the Thrift Club School Savers programme, to save and learn how to manage money effectively now and for future financial security
School Savers Frequently Asked Questions
Is parental consent required?
Yes. Parental consent is required for Thrift Club membership which is available to students up to 16 years. Your school will issue a permission slip.
My child already has a membership with the Credit Union. Can he/she still participate via the school programme?
Yes. Students with existing accounts can also participate via the school programme. In fact, this will be a great way to shift some of the personal responsibility for saving on to them. The existing account number will just need to be provided for the School’s records.
How will students 16 years and older participate?
The maximum age for a Thrift Club membership account is 16 years old. Students 16 years and older will participate with a General Membership account. Just before the student's 17th birthday he/she will be invited to transition to General Membership.
How will we ensure that the correct amount per transaction is recorded for each child at School?
Teacher and Student Volunteers are required to issue a temporary receipt for each deposit made at School. Parents are asked to encourage their student savers to ensure the accuracy of the amount and keep the receipts safely, at home.
What happens to funds once collected at School?
Within a short period, the funds are collected for delivery to the Credit Union. Once received by the Credit Union, they are held temporarily in the respective school’s ledger and transferred to each student’s account within 2-3 business days of delivery.
What if there is a discrepancy with the funds delivered to the Credit Union?
Once received at the Credit Union, the Cash Bag will be opened under dual custody and if any discrepancies are found, the existing organizational policy for handling such discrepancies will be activated by the senior branch officer.
How can students and parents keep track once deposited by the Credit Union?
Parents and students can keep track of their deposits via the Credit Union’s online banking and mobile app service. Students are encouraged to sign up for our Credit Union's free Estatements. Passbooks are no longer issued.
Can a withdrawal be made via the school progamme?
No. Withdrawals can only be done by visiting any of the Credit Union’s branches. Parents will need to accompany student savers under 16 years.
Will interest be paid on the students’ savings?
Yes. Interest will be calculated on the individual membership account in keeping with the rate for Thrift Club accounts.
Is there a minimum amount to be deposited at School?
The Credit Union does not require a minimum amount. It is however recommended that the School establish a minimum to ensure the programme remains viable. We recommend a minimum deposit of $5.
Is there a maximum amount which can be deposited at School?
We recommend that the School set maximum deposit amount per transaction, in the interest of safety and security – these are students after all.
The request for the completion of a Declaration of Source of Funds is at the discretion of the Credit Union.
Our recommendation is for parents to bring their children directly the Credit Union for larger amounts of savings.
Can cheques be deposited via the School?
Yes, however all standard requirements for the processing of cheques will apply.
What happens when my child graduates?
Because it is an individual membership account, when your child transitions, he/she just continues their relationship with the Credit Union directly.
Will a MasterCard Debit Card be issued for use with my child’s account?
Yes. Only for those children 16 years and older. Up until their 18th birthday, a parent or authorized adult must grant approval for the card to be issued and used by the child.
Who is an: Authorizing Parent/Guardian?
This person consents to membership for children under sixteen years. He/she consents to withdrawals and may operate the account independently of the child until the child reaches age sixteen. Once the child attains age sixteen, he/she will then have full and independent control over the account.
Who is an: Account Designate?
This person is an alternative representative, eighteen years or older, authorized to sign transactions on the account. Both the authorizing parent and the account designate will automatically no longer be required to consent to transactions or any other business on the account when the child reaches age sixteen.
Will your School join us?
Here’s what you will need:
• The commitment of your School’s Principal and teaching staff.
• The consent and full support of parents/guardians.
• A minimum of ten (10) eager students to get started.
Educational Component
BPWCCUL will adopt or develop your school’s financial literacy programme as long as there are a minimum of ten students who are making regular deposits via the Thrift Club School Savers Programme.
As part of our adoption we also commit to:
- Assisting teachers in the general classroom setting with the teaching of relevant areas of the curriculum.
- Coordinating, co-sponsoring seminars and workshops targeted at encouraging personal development through valuable life skills and financial literacy.
- Coordinating with the School’s administration, goal oriented savings and incentive prize promotions and competitions for Thrift Club School Savers Programme members.
Learn more about this opportunity.
Advisory Committee
The members of our Thrift Club Advisory Committee are our young ambassadors who advocate for youth services at the Credit Union and serve as liaisons for youth members in our Schools and communities.
The Committee represents both our Thrift Club Membership and Thrift Club School Savers brands.
Serving on the Committee is a great opportunity to develop leadership and advocacy skills.
There are seven seats available to any young Credit Union member 14 to 18 years old. Committee members serve for two (2) years with the opportunity for reappointment.
The selection process varies, but usually includes input from past Committee members, the wider Thrift Club and School Savers membership along with other relevant selection criteria.
Committee roles include the following positions:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Assistant Secretary
- Floor Member (3)
From time, to time to the Thrift Club Advisory Committee may also chose to establish sub-committees from among general Thrift Club and Thrift Club School Savers membership with a specific focus on any of the following areas:
- Event Planning and Promotions
- Communications – Online and Print
- Financial Capability and Empowerment
- Product Development / Proposals
Feel free to reach out to us and the Committee via:
@thriftclub_bpwccul
@thriftclub.bb
BPWCCUL’s Thrift Club
Meet the members of the current Thrift Club Advisory Committee below.
Front Row L - R Kaiowa Pilé-Durant Floor Member - Social Media Coordinator Shauntae Price Assistant Secretary Christianne Spooner Secretary
Second Row L - R Patriece Savoury-Fergusson President Krishonda Myles Vice-President In order of appearance - Top Row L - R Toshiro Benn Floor Member - Events and Promotions Shane Prescod Floor Member - Financial Empowerment
Scholarships and Grants
Thrift Club adds value by providing opportunities to be benefit annually from Awards, Scholarship and Grants.
All awardees are recognized in the following categories, during an awards event to celebrate their accomplishments.
1. Academic Awards:
• for outstanding achievements in the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examinations (11+)
• for outstanding achievements in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC)
• for outstanding achievements in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE)
• in recognition of attainment of Barbados Government Exhibitions
• in recognition of attainment of Barbados Government Scholarships
2. Scholarships:
• BPWCCUL - Ralph Boyce Scholarships - University of the West Indies – all campuses
• BPWCCUL - H. Delisle Hurley Memorial Scholarships - Barbados Community College (BCC) -Technical, Vocational and Applied Studies
• BPWCCUL - Verta Coppin Memorial Scholarships - Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute (SJPI) -Technical and Vocational Studies
• BPWCCUL/Thrift Club Overcomer Scholarship - for local Secondary School Leavers
• BPWCCUL/Thrift Club Sports and Arts Achievement Scholarships
3. General Educational Grants:
• Tertiary level studies
Take advantage of our opportunities for awards, scholarships and grants as you pursue your academic endeavours. Click here for more information and to apply online.
Thrift Club Activities
Thrift Club is a one-of-a-kind savings account for children packaged with exciting benefits and opportunities.
From time to time, we host activities which allow us to recognize the achievements of our young members, provide opportunities for them to network, develop leadership and money management skills.
These annual activities include:
- Easter Workshop
- Summer Camp
- Academic Awards Ceremony
- Christmas Party
- Charity Event
All events are available to Thrift Club Members and students participating via our Thrift Club School Savers Programme.
Stay tuned to this page for updates regarding our upcoming events.
Would you like to suggest an event or provide feedback about an event?
Send an email to: thriftclub@bpwccul.bb
You may also enquire by call to: 622-9000
Upcoming Events
Money: What’s the Big Deal?
Call us: (246) 622-9000
Toll-free 1-866-800-6146
Fax: (246) 437-8745
E-mail: contact@bpwccul.bb
© Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited
