The power of local
We believe financial service is best when it’s local. Our local-market approach helps us provide service and advice that reflects local economies while meeting the needs of those who live, work and play in our communities.
Through our locally known brands—Envision Financial, Valley First, Enderby & District Financial and Island Savings—we provide personalized, expert advice, innovative financial products and tools, and local, common-sense decision making to more than 240,000 British Columbians.
Future innovation
Life isn’t static and neither are the financial needs of our members. That’s why we invest heavily in re-imagining the banking experience and creating new ways to serve British Columbians through innovation and technology. Whether it’s improving our online accessibility, introducing new product options or streamlining internal processes for better advisory service in our branches—we’re doing things differently to create remarkable experiences.
Stability & Diversification
Our geographic reach—spanning Southern B.C.—decreases economic risks and increases resiliency. Diversified revenue streams also give us greater income stability through insurance, automotive financing, wealth services and subordinated commercial debt lines of business.
Savings & Efficiency
First West’s size and strength allows us to work more efficiently and save on operational costs. We benefit from a backoffice of talented business professionals who support our local brands with expertise in Lean and continuous improvement, finance and accounting, brand and marketing, business intelligence, communications, human resources, information technology and more.
Leadership
We develop leaders of character and ability who positively affect the lives of others in our organization, communities and world. It’s about being bold enough to engage others in the vision and humble enough to recognize achieving it will take the efforts of many people. From sharing knowledge in our communities to mentoring and coaching the next generation, we support each other in leading with courage to create change for the better.
Succeed together
Partnership is second nature to us at First West. As a financial co-operative, we believe in the spirit of working together to make great things happen. We have a long history of collaborating to bring value to our members, the credit union system and the financial services marketplace.