Conrad Hill

Conrad Fitzherbert Hill, was truly the father of the Credit Union movement in Barbados. Mr. Hill's real love for helping others came into focus in the mid-forties when, while reading a magazine he came across an article about the credit union movement. He immediately wrote to the author of the article, and expressed his desire to learn more about the Credit Union movement. At this point in his career, Mr. Hill was Treasurer of the Friendly Society [voluntary basis] - which he joined as a young boy.

After attending a series of lectures, he became knowledgeable in the philosophy and workings of the Credit Union Movement, which gave birth to the founding of St. Patrick's Savings Union. At its inception this Credit Union was opened only to Catholics, however, on August 5th 1948 it was renamed The Shamrock Co-operative Credit Union. This new status permitted Non-Catholics to become members.

Conrad Hill, at his passing as one of the founders, remained one of the longest serving members and officers. He is often described as being the most dedicated, faithful, and most persevering pioneer of the credit union movement in Barbados. His contribution went even further, he was instrumental in helping to organize other credit unions. He was the driving force behind the formation of the Barbados Credit Union League in 1957. Utilizing his musical talents he wrote the words and music to the Shamrock songs and also other songs about the Co-operative Movement.

The Credit Union was his way of life and he shared the view that,

His wife regularly recalls how excited and enthusiastic he was when he first read about the credit union. She remembers his prediction that,