St Vincent Building and Loan Association (SVBLA) continues to adapt to the changing needs of its customers, giving members the opportunity to thrive financially.

For its annual Customer Appreciation Day, the SVBLA rolled out the purple carpet at its Halifax Street headquarters on July 28, to celebrate existing members and welcome new ones into the fold.

SVBLA customer reads a flyer while waiting on a sample from Smood Juice Bar

Sweet steel pan music, snack boxes packed with local treats, health checks and giveaways of SVBLA -branded items as well electronics — it looked like Christmas in July as members of the public were given a warm welcome and invited to visit the Membership Lounge to learn more about the attractive savings and loan products on offer.

“Because they are so integral to the business, we feel that this day is not something to be slighted so every year this is a major celebration,” SVBLA Marketing Officer, Candice Sealey said.

Health and wellness were also included in the royal treatment with persons being treated to back, foot and neck massages from Oceanna Beach Spa; fruit blends from Smood Juice Bar & the Health Bar; an array of marinades and sauces from Vincy Fresh; tastings of the Creamy Novelty ice cream and the Mambo sauce range. Persons left feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and filled up on tasty treats.

“The fact is we know customers felt appreciated when they received rewards for just opening an account or making a deposit into their account or paying money towards their loan,” Sealey said.

Providing the platform to small businesses was a critical part of the day’s activities as, according to Sealey, entrepreneurs and small business owners are a valuable part of the membership for SVBLA. She noted that the financial institution is very welcoming to the business community and offers financial advice as needed to businesses owners who are opening accounts or wish to get a loan. “We have had a lot of interest from just sharing that information.”

Innovation, competitive products and customer satisfaction are the pillars that have seen the Association expand past its scope of helping Vincentians own a home.

Customers were treated to neck, back and foot massages from Oceanna Beach Spa

In addition to its Smart Savers, Super Savers, Fixed Deposits and Regular Savings accounts which give members competitive interest rates on savings ranging from 2.5 to four per cent, the SVBLA has the Merry Money savings account. This “gift”, geared towards saving for Christmas, gives account holders 3.5 per cent interest per annum on savings made ahead of December.

Customer Service Manager, Ava Weekes said the SVBLA has been able to stay in tune with the needs of customers and has evolved by expanding their social media presence on major platforms such as Instagram and Facebook as well as connecting with customers through virtual appointments.

Building life-long relationships with customers is part of the Association’s mandate and through the Scholarship programme for students entering secondary school and College, the SVBLA has been able to offer financial support and also welcome new members under its wings.

‘We have been looking at our younger persons who are a part of our scholarship programme, where we engage at least two of them to come to the Association during the summer programme where they can get job experience and exposure. Sometimes capturing the audience from a young age means that you can have a customer for life, ” Weekes explained.

“While ‘Celebrating You’, was the theme for SVBLA’s Customer Appreciation Day this year, Sealey wants the public to know that, “Building and Loan is here, we are more than a lending institution that helps you build/acquire your home, we are in interested in your financial well being; our savings accounts and loans can help you build a better life and we want to help your money work harder for you”.