Helping B.C. thrive

As one of the province’s most profitable companies for seven years running, we provide British Columbians with well-paying, stable jobs that trigger spin-off economic activity and job creation in the many B.C. communities we serve.

Economic Impact

As one of the larger operations in our communities, First West contributes to local economies through well-paying jobs for people who make their homes in the Lower Mainland, B.C.’s interior and Island communities.

First West also contributes to the economic health of local communities and businesses through our patronage—corporately and personally—of other businesses in the communities where we live, work and play.

2,261 jobs

First West’s operations and resulting spin-off commercial activity positively impacted British Columbians and local economies.

$345,000,000

First West’s operations produced $173 million in direct gross domestic product (GDP) impact in 2017. Factoring in economic multipliers, the credit union’s activities generated an additional $172 million in indirect GDP.

Helping B.C. thrive

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“What I love most about First West is being able to stay connected to our communities and nimble towards change. You can’t paint all businesses with a broad brush, so these are huge advantages when making local decisions for members.”

Raj Sidhu, Commercial Banking Regional Manager, Envision Financial

B.C. is small business

B.C. is small business

Ninety-eight per cent of all business in B.C. is small, locally owned business. We’re proud to support the entrepreneurs who drive B.C.’s economy

$355,250,000 in commercial lending in 2017 to help build and grow community-based, locally grown businesses

8,100+ business members

kept more money in their businesses with our Unlimited Chequing for Business® Account, designed specifically for business owners and entrepreneurs

$43,000,000

in funding for mid-market businesses and entrepreneurs through our First West Capital subsidiary

18 municipalities

18 municipalities

Local government administrations from Vancouver Island to B.C.’s interior trusted First West to provide their banking services in 2017