About LinCU
About Us
LinCU’s primary objective is to develop and implement affordable, convenient, secure and International electronic payment systems and services to be owned and utilized by the entire Co-operative Movement. This objective is currently manifested in LinCU’s flagship product the First Citizens Issued Chip Prepaid Debit MasterCard the LinCU ‘Active Card’ which is aimed at the country’s half million Credit Union members.
LinCU has grown steadily from four (4) Shareholder Credit Union locations in 2007 to nineteen (19) Credit Union locations in 2019 across both Trinidad & Tobago, with access to more than 20% of the Credit Union Membership in Trinidad & Tobago and still growing!
LinCU's VISION
LinCU's MISSION
To surpass customer service expectations in the effective delivery of client focused products and services by investing in efficient human and technological resources
LinCU's Business Philosophy
- LinCU’s primary line of business shall be Electronic Payment Systems
- LinCU will engage in any other form of business that supports and enhances its primary business
Our History
In 2003, Police Services, RHAND, TECU, Teachers Credit Unions got together and established a steering committee to take the vision forward and make it a reality. The committee conducted analysis of the domestic cards market and utilized foreign consultants to assist in this review.
Based on the review of the debit card market the steering committees brought forward a number of suggestions including:
• Develop a single credit union centric card rather than individual credit union cards. This would increase the brand acceptance over time and leverage the strength of the Credit Union Movement’s combine membership of 500,000 members.
• Provide international acceptance of the card rather than only a domestic card.
• Partner with an established card issuer who will provide the technology solution for the transaction processing
The Trinidad & Tobago Unit Trust Corporation was chosen as the strategic partner for the international Visa debit card because of their proven track record as a card issuer, affiliation with Visa International and reliable technology platform.
In 2006, staffing commenced with the hiring of Mr. Mark Aggerholm as General Manager to take LinCU forward. Mr. Aggerholm guided LinCU through the product development phase and the formalizing of the co-branding debit card programme with the TTUTC.
The LinCU Visa Debit Card was launched in 2007 and piloted at the main branches of Police Services, RHAND, TECU, and Teachers Credit Unions. In 2008, LinCU Ltd. began offering the turnkey debit card solution to all Credit Unions in Trinidad & Tobago. A Merchant Loyalty Discount Program for the card – the first of its kind for a debit card in Trinidad & Tobago, was established in November 2008.
Given the competitive financial services environment, coupled with educated consumers, credit union members are more discerning and demand a higher level of service. LinCU has now partnered with First Citizens Bank (FCB) to give Credit Union and their members a better experience.
LinCU in response to the request from both Credit Unions and their members including LinCU VISA Debit Card cardholder for the provision of additional services which have become common place in the electronic payment card environment, however these services that are not now available through the LinCU / TTUTC LinCU VISA Debit Card.
LinCU, having explored other local service provider, executed an agreement with First Citizens Bank Limited on 2016, February 15th. The agreement will see LinCU partnering with First Citizens Bank Limited; replacing the LinCU / TTUTC LinCU VISA Debit Card with a FIRST / LinCU Prepaid MasterCard.