Credit Unions are non-profit cooperative financial institution.  Credit unions are owned by their members, the people who bank with them.  Recent statistics from the Canadian Credit Union Association, show that there are about 241 credit unions in Canada, serving over 5.8 million members! 

When you become a member, your share gives you a stake in the credit union as a voting member of the organization, this makes you both a customer and a part-owner.  All members have an equal say in how their credit union operates, no matter how much or little you have in your account. Members can voice their concerns and vote on the issues that matter to them! 

Credit Unions offer the same fundamental services as banks by helping you protect your money, increase your savings, and finance your needs. 

Credit Unions are full service financial co-operatives. Like other financial institutions, we provide chequing and savings accounts, mortgages, business loans and investment advice.  Are you looking to start a registered savings plan? Bank online? We offer that too!  

Credit Unions work towards the improvement of their communities. Instead of competition, they foster a spirit of cooperativeness.  Putting the focus on giving back, we serve our communities by volunteering, sponsorships, and extending services to areas that other banks fail to serve. 

At StellerVista Credit Union, we invest back into the communities around us. When you choose to open an account, you are choosing to give back to your community through community outreach programs. By choosing to keep your savings with us, you contribute to making where you live, a better place. 

Credit unions across Canada work together to provide every member with free access to a widespread network of ding-free ATMs across Canada.  It’s an ATM network bigger than most banks!  So, it does not matter where you are, you will still be able to access and deposit funds!  

While banks and credit unions offer similar services, there are a few key differences amongst them. The main difference is ownership. Investors own banks whereas members of a credit union are all part-owners of that credit union.  

The second major difference are their goals.  While banks are profit-driven corporations, credit unions follow a not-for-profit model.  A Credit Unions focus is on providing members with services at an affordable cost. A bank’s bottom line is to maximize returns for its investors! 

In other words, credit unions serve their members while banks serve their investors. Which of these seems more deserving of your patronage? 

Credit unions offer a range of financial services to meet all your banking needs from savings and chequing accounts to wealth management and loans. They also give you a chance to choose the kind of institution that puts your interests first. One that offers you a chance to save, earn and give at the same time. Banking isn’t always simple, but some choices are. 

Credit unions in Canada are either provincially or federally regulated. Regulators have oversight over individual credit unions; and credit unions are required to meet standards and work with public agencies to ensure they are among the country’s soundest financial institutions.   

The Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (CUDIC), a statutory corporation, guarantees all deposits and non-equity shares of British Columbia credit unions as set out in the Financial Institutions Act.   

The CUDIC’s responsibility is to administer and operate a deposit insurance fund. The BC Financial Services Authority, a crown agency of the Government of British Columbia, is responsible for administering CUDIC and for administering the regulation of financial institutions operating in the province.   

For more information, check out their website; 
https://www.bcfsa.ca/public-resources/credit-union-deposit-insurance 

Join over 5.8 million Canadians who trust their local credit union as their partner for day-to-day banking 

Call us today to talk about what we can do for YOU!