The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) Credit Union was formed following a 1992 resolution mandating affordable microfinance for members. Teachers faced high loan interest, delays, and service charges, prompting the National Executive Committee to adopt the cooperative model in 1996. The GTU Credit Union aimed to improve members' financial conditions through savings and loans, under the "people helping people" philosophy. Supported by GTU, the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions, and the Irish National Teacher Organisation, it became Gambia's largest and most successful credit union.
To provide fair, honest proactive leadership and the request skills and knowledge to steer the credit union in order to provide our members the ideal sound and safe environment to invest and depend on for micro finance products and services. To vigorously strive for descent living and working conditions for members through the provision of easy access to affordable, productive financial services. These, we shall seek through partnership, voluntarism and strict adherence to the philosophy of "people helping people"
To make the GTUCCU the leading and most vibrant financial cooperative in the Gambia with products and services that improve members’ socio-economic status