Northern Credit Union – ‘Small Business Rocks’ wins National Award

May 10, 2017 @ 11:19

 

The national association for Canada’s credit unions, the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) has announced the recipients of the 2017 National Credit Union Awards Program at last night’s gala event during the Association’s annual, national conference Halifax, NS last night, May 10.

“There’s no doubt that Canada’s credit unions and caisses populaires have always placed emphasis on the importance of its members, through innovative programs and services – many of which are ‘firsts’ in the industry,” explains Martha Durdin, president and CEO, Canadian Credit Union Association. “But they also focus on the development of young leaders who will continue to build on the success of their predecessors. I am inspired by the creativity, ingenuity and passion our awards recipients have demonstrated, and look forward to what’s yet to come.”

Regionally, the Northern Credit Union won the Innovation Award, for their ‘Small Business Rocks’ program, making them the first financial institution in Canada to offer small business lending and deposit accounts entirely online. 

About the Award: “The National Innovation Awards is designed to recognize credit union/caisse popularies for breakthrough products, services and processes that are either new or have undergone significant improvements and can serve as a model for other credit unions. We look to recognize innovations that have demonstrated substantial benefit to either the credit union/caisse popularie or member base. The National Innovation Award should recognize the credit union/caisse popularie– not specific individuals.”

Other Award Winners:

Hall of Fame – This year’s Hall of Fame award winners were formally recognized for their years of leadership and for their positive influence in the Canadian credit union system. They included: Daniel Burns and Terry Enns.

Best of Marketing Award (NEW) – For receiving the highest average score of all entries received for the 2017 MACU Achievement in Marketing Excellence Awards (AIME), Synergy Credit Union (SK) was awarded the 2017 Best of Marketing Award for their Earn It. Invest It. Grow It. television campaign. Learn more.

Community Economic Development Award – For their dedication to economic equity, and generous sense of community, Vancity Credit Union(BC) is the recipient of the 2017 National Credit Union Community Economic Development Award for the development of their Refugee Settlement Assistance Program, developed to assist the needs of arriving Syrian refugees.

National Credit Union Social Responsibility Award – For their continuing commitment to making community responsibility and sustainability a core part of their business, Assiniboine Credit Union (MB) received the 2017 National Credit Union Social Responsibility Award for their Eco-Excellence Program.

Learning Leader (NEW) – Vancity Credit Union (BC) has been awarded the 2017 Learning Leader award for their Banking Application Renewal Learning Program, which is a strategic program created to renew the credit union’s core banking system, to help provide improved member services.

National Young Leaders

Five young credit union leaders were recognized as National Young Leaders to mark their exceptional efforts:

• Gareth Edwards, Manager, Commercial Banking (Real Estate) l, First Calgary Financial (AB), a division of Connect First Credit Union
• David Kropp, Assistant Vice-President, Communications, First West Credit Union (BC)
• Emma Lafreniere, Manager, Loss Prevention, Steinbach Credit Union (MB)
• Sarah Rea, Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Meridian Credit Union (ON)
• Sara Rusak, Manager, Business Integration, Assiniboine Credit Union (MB)

David Kropp also received the National Young Leaders Award, which provides a $10,000 scholarship to cover tuition and travel costs to attend a leadership development program at a university in Canada.