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When I look back on 2014, it stands out as a year in which we made great strides in making banking simpler and more accessible for our members. We launched new products, opened a new branch and evolved our approach to serving our members. I know that our work last year has set a solid foundation for our future, and when I look ahead, I see so much promise and potential.
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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The highlight of the year was undoubtedly the opening of our Garrison Village branch and insurance office in Chilliwack. This new location is a departure from the traditional ways of banking—there are no wicket queues, no tellers and no designated, desk-centred offices. Instead, meeting spaces are designed to make the flow of business more open and relational. Perhaps the most important change is our approach to growing the business. Business development is no longer the responsibility of just one or two roles, but of every employee in the branch. When a member walks into our new branch, the person who greets them now serves all of their banking, borrowing and investing needs, creating a unique, comprehensive service experience. Recognizing that our members value flexibility, all staff at our Garrison Village location are fully mobile and can conduct business where it’s most convenient for our members, whether that be in the branch, at their home or in their neighbourhood coffee shop.
In 2015, we will open another new branch based on this model in the Brick Yard Station area of Cloverdale, providing even greater accessibility to our members and introducing our services to one of the fastest growing communities in B.C.
And speaking of the neighbourhood coffee shop—businesses are a vital part of the local economy and we love to see them succeed. To help support business and commercial members even more, we invested in the skills and expertise of our business banking advisors in 2014. Our business and commercial banking team is well-equipped to provide members with expert advice for the challenges of a competitive marketplace.
Last year was a year of firsts. First West Credit Union was the first credit union in B.C. to launch Interac® Online payments and the first to launch Interac® Flash. We introduced these new products and services to provide our members with more banking options. Let me tell you a little about these two products:
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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- Interac® Online payments are a convenient way to shop online and pay for purchases through an account using online banking.
- Interac® Flash allows members to pay for everyday purchases instantly from their savings or chequing account simply by tapping their Flash-enabled MemberCard on a supporting payment terminal—no PIN required. We are currently piloting Interac® Flash cards at our Willoughby and High Street branches and expect the cards to be available across all Envision Financial locations into 2016.
We were also proud to introduce the TFSA Early Bird Account to members in the Envision region. This new product allows members who have already maximized their yearly TFSA contribution to start saving for next year’s contribution while receiving a great interest rate.
At all locations, our entire team’s approach to serving our members evolved last year. We call our new approach “advisory-based service,” where we provide our members and clients exemplary advice, services and products aligned to their needs and life stages. Our changes have really resonated with our members who have come to rely on our team as trusted and knowledgeable advisors who are working alongside them to reach their goals.
As I say every year, the success of the past year is due solely to the exceptional advice and service our committed staff provide and to the loyalty and support of our members. I am so grateful to be part of such an amazing team and proud to serve such dedicated members. Thank you!
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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In 2014, we continued to focus on keeping banking simple for our members. This included adding new locations, offering new and unique products and providing additional tools to access our services. We want to offer our members choice so they can bank when they want, in the way that is most convenient for them.
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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Helping make futures bright
When a new day school in New Westminster needed a mortgage for its first location, Envision Financial was there to help. After more than a decade of strong growth, the Urban Academy is now undertaking an ambitious expansion project and Envision is supporting them every step of the way.
“Our goal is to provide students—from junior kindergarten to grade 12—with rigorous academic program instruction and depth in the fine arts with the intention of creating global citizens who go on to be a force for change in their communities,” says Urban Academy’s Head of School Cheryle Beaumont.
Educating 160 students in two locations, the Urban Academy is outgrowing its current facilities and plans to start construction on its new building project in spring 2015. Once complete, the new facility will have capacity for 450 students in a single location—still small enough to maintain the school’s community atmosphere, but large enough to add more programs and resources. The expansion is slated to open its doors Sept. 2016.
“Our partners at Envision Financial have worked very hard at wrapping their heads around what we’re trying to do here. They have met with us in person many times to understand our needs,” says Beaumont. “Envision Financial has been instrumental in helping us secure the funding for the school’s expansion and realize our growth plans.”
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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By the numbers
- 87 per cent of credit union members who do personal banking under the Envision Financial banner would most likely recommend us to a friend or family member
- 88 per cent of clients would most likely recommend our insurance services to a friend or family member
- 3,577 net new members joined Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union
- 81 per cent of credit union members state we are better than other companies they regularly use for products and services
- 673 members referred a friend or family member through our Referral Perks program
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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Member Highlights
- Garrison Village branch and insurance office opened in Chilliwack; this new branch is an open, interactive space where members can come in and try out new technology advancements, talk to us about a mortgage or investment, purchase insurance and much more
- Announced a new branch will open in Brick Yard Station in Cloverdale in 2015
- Based on member feedback, statements were redesigned to make banking simpler for members
- Launched Interac® Online, bringing members the convenience of paying for online purchases directly from their account
- Helped members get a jump start on saving for next year's TFSA contribution by launching TFSA Early Bird Account
- Foreign exchange ATM introduced at Garrison Village branch to provide members with easier access to US cash
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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Envision Financial is proud to be recognized as a leader in our local communities and as a caring and compassionate neighbor. Our goal is to make a meaningful difference in the communities where we operate. We create good things with our community partners by leveraging all aspects of our business in our partnerships—financial donations, employee engagement and member involvement. In 2014, we were proud to invest more than $1.4 million in donations, grants, education awards and gifts-in-kind, and to contribute thousands of employee volunteer hours.
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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Douglas College Community Capacity Building program
When Envision Financial opened up shop in Coquitlam in 2005, it began looking for ways it could have a meaningful impact in the local community. Douglas College quickly emerged as a great community partner and over the past 10 years, the two have developed a close relationship.
“Our partnership with Envision Financial began in 2005 with sponsorship of a Christmas festival and has matured into a community education outreach program that enriches communities throughout Metro Vancouver,” says Hazel Postma, Douglas College’s Associate Vice-President, Advancement & External Relations. “Our relationship has deepened over the years, moving from providing pleasure to thousands of people each year at the festival, to giving dozens of students awards for academic excellence through the Envision Financial Scholarship, through to growing the capacity of non-profits to do marketing, event planning, social media and outreach.”
"This partnership is truly a win-win for the students and for the nonprofits,” says Christina Cawkell, faculty member of the marketing department at Douglas College. “The students get to apply their learning in real world situations and the non-profits end up with useful marketing collateral they otherwise couldn't afford. It’s exciting to see how the students engage with the projects beyond the classroom. Envision Financial's involvement adds another dimension to the learning environment which makes that capacity building a reality."
Over the years, the non-profits that have benefitted from the program include the Surrey Food Bank, Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store, Coquitlam Foundation, and most recently, Alouette Addiction Services and the Abbotsford Community Foundation.
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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“The Abbotsford Community Foundation is grateful to Envision Financial and Douglas College for selecting us to participate in this exciting program that gives students the opportunity to put their skills to work in the real world,” says Susan McAlevy, Executive Director of the Abbotsford Community Foundation. “As a non-profit with a limited operating budget we will benefit from their creativity and expertise. The results will help us provide more support for the charities serving our community and allow us to build on our tradition of supporting students.”
Community Investment: By the Numbers
- More than $1.4 million donated to worthy causes and organizations in our local communities
- More than $102,000 of in-kind contributions to charitable partners
- 4,504 total hours volunteered by staff in the Envision Financial region supporting community partners throughout our region
- $139,592 raised and 11,982 pounds of food collected for The Full Cupboard and our 11 local food banks
- Staff volunteered 555 hours holding 100 fundraising events for The Full Cupboard in the Envision Financial region
- 1,251 gifts collected and 4,600 pounds of food donated through The Full Cupboard Holiday program
- Over 855 hours of volunteerism with 22 projects in nine Envision Financial communities for Our Make a Difference Days program
- 54 free concerts for local residents through the Envision Twilight Concert Series, Envision Coffee House Concert Series and Envision Concert in the Park Series
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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- More than 45 classrooms in 10 districts and 3000 students participated with Envision Financial’s PowerPlay Strategies Young Entrepreneur® program in which students donate 10% of earned profit to a non-profit organization of their choice; Since 2012, over $14,000 has been donated to local charities throughout our region
- $253,512 raised for Envision Financial Run for Water; 31 local and area schools and over 10,000 students participated in the Envision a Better World: Learn, Create, Run educational curriculum
- More than $35,000 donated to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in our annual campaign bringing our total giving since 2007 to $249,473
- $27,000 contributed to students’ post-secondary education through the Envision Financial Education Award program
- 20 secondary students received mentoring from employees in the Envision Financial region
- $63,622 pledged to local charities and community organizations by employees as part of our employee giving campaign
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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2014 Community Partners
Throughout the year, Envision Financial supports a variety of non-profit and charitable organizations in our communities. In 2014, our community partners included:
- Abbotsford Arts Council
- Abbotsford Community Services Society
- Abbotsford Food Bank/Christmas Bureau
- Abbotsford Hospice Society
- BC Children's Hospital Foundation
- BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund
- BC Teen Challenge
- Beach Grove Golf Club
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Canuck Place
- CARE Transit
- Chilliwack and District Senior Resources Society
- Chilliwack Arts and Cultural Centre Society
- Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society
- Chilliwack Community Services/Christmas Bureau
- Delta Hospital Foundation
- Deltassist
- Douglas College Foundation
- Ducks Unlimited
- Food Banks BC
- Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation - Chilliwack
- Friends in Need Food Bank
- Hope Brigade Days
- Hope Community Services Society
- Kitimat Concert Series
- Kitimat Food Bank
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Ladner Village Quilt Walk & Classic Car Show
- Langley Christmas Bureau
- Langley Environmental Partners Society
- Langley Montessori School
- Langley School District Foundation
- Maple Ridge Concert Band
- Maples Discovery Gardens Co-op
Envision Financial is proud to be a division of First West Credit Union.
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- Mission Community Services Society/Christmas Bureau
- Mission Heritage Association
- Newton Community Festival
- Peninsula Community Foundation
- PowerPlay Strategies Young Entrepreneurs®
- Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation
- Run for Water Foundation
- Salvation Army, Care and Share Centre
- Salvation Army, Caring Place
- Salvation Army, Gateway of Hope
- Salvation Army, White Rock
- Seniors Come Share Society
- Share Family & Community Services Society
- Sikh Academy
- Sources Food Bank
- Sources Langley Food Bank
- South Delta Food Bank
- St. Joseph’s Food Bank
- Success By 6
- Surrey Board of Trade
- Surrey Food Bank
- Surrey International Children’s Festival
- Surrey School District
- United Way of the Fraser Valley
- University of the Fraser Valley
- Virtue Foundation
- Yarrow Volunteer Society
- YWCA Metro Vancouver
Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union, is a proud participant of London Benchmark Group (Canada), a growing group of companies committed to maximizing the value of their community investment—for community partners and for the business. Our community investment results are based on London Benchmark Group (Canada) valuation principles.
In 2010, Envision Financial became a division of First West Credit Union.
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