Bowen Island

10 Years of Giving Back to Bowen Island

~ kevmanning ~ Leave a comment

My how time flies! Friday June 9th will mark the 10 year anniversary of the Bowen Branch of First Credit Union. I have been working for this branch since the beginning, and what still impresses me to this day is the credit union mandate of channeling profits back into the community. Though it took some time for our little branch to become profitable, First Credit Union still gave so much over the years—sponsoring local events, awarding local youth and donating to local non-profits. I believed in this credit union difference, knowing it would gain the support of our island community. Although we opened nearly 600 accounts in that first year we only had a few million in loans, but that began to change steadily. The people of Bowen got behind us and through their incredible support our ability to give back grew.

Bowen-Blog

I am so proud of all we have achieved and our continued presence as a top corporate citizen, community supporter and champion of our island culture and economic progress. Because of the wonderful support we receive from the community, we are able to give back each year in more and more meaningful and impactful ways. Today we have nearly 1800 accounts, 45 million in loans and 35 million in deposits. Our financial planner also has a significant book of investments on the markets. We have been able to improve the financial well-being of countless individuals and businesses on Bowen. As our support from the island grows, so does our contribution to the community – a wonderful formula!

To celebrate 10 years of giving back we are going to have a party at the branch on June 9th. On top of free food, beverages, balloons and entertainment, we will also be holding a fun contest to win one of ten $100 gift certificates to the Bowen Island business of the winner’s choice (open only to members)!

Come by on Friday, June 9th from noon until 2:30 pm for free lunch, listen to our very own Estella Woo perform, try and win $100  towards one of our many fabulous businesses, and celebrate 10 great years of giving back to the community of Bowen Island with us.

See you there!

Kevin Manning, Branch Manager
First Credit Union  |  Bowen Branch

A boost for non-profits available through Community Investment Fund

~ Avry Janes ~ Leave a comment

 

Investment Funds 2016 (FCU&I)
2016 marks the third annual Community Investment Fund initiative presented by First Credit Union and Insurance. This program provides one-time financial support to non-profit organizations who contribute to the long-term social, health, economic, and collective well-being of the communities we serve.

Being able to provide a financial boost to a non-profit project or program is an opportunity for First to support vulnerable members of the community we may not otherwise connect with. Each year we are humbled by the tremendous work being done by non-profits and their ability to elevate the lives of those who need it most.

Past recipients of the fund include: Bowen Island Snug Cove House  (affordable senior care), Comox Valley Family Services Association (helping youth with anxiety), Cumberland Community School Society (providing support for new mothers), Powell River Hospice Society (providing end of life care and compassion) and Texada Health Services Society (supporting those living with Cancer).

This year we are proud to announce $11,350 in funds are available. Below is a breakdown by region:
• Bowen Island $1,000
• Comox Valley $2,700
• Cumberland $1,400
• Powell River $4,400
• Texada $650

Non-profit organizations in the Bowen Island, Comox Valley, Cumberland, Powell River and Texada Island area can apply for the Community Investment Funds via the ‘community page’ of either the First Credit Union or First Insurance websites. The deadline to apply for the 2016 funds is Friday, March 18th, 2016. The successful applicants will be announced at the First Credit Union AGM in Powell River this May.

For information about the Westview Agencies Community Investment Fund, visit the website ‘community page’.

5 Identity Theft Jackpots (and How You Can Safeguard Against Them)

~ Tara ~ Leave a comment

Identity theft is nothing new, and yet it still manages to cost its victims billions of dollars (yes, that’s billions with a “b”) globally each year—not to mention the time and hassle involved in recovering a stolen identity.

The good news is that there are tons of things you can do to deter identity thieves. The bad news is that many of us do little beyond choosing a decent password—and some people don’t even bother doing that! Here are the top 5 information jackpots for identity thieves, along with helpful tips on what you can do right now to protect yourself.

  1.  Your Trash Can

Even if you’re really careful about the information you put online, your trash bags and recycling bin can still be an easy target for identity thieves. Dumpster diving may sound old school, but it’s still an easy way for identity thieves to get access to your personal information.

  •  Get a shredder (a basic model will run you $20 to $30 at a big-box store) and use it!
  • Get into the habit of shredding things before throwing them out, especially things like bank statements, expired credit cards, utility bills, cellphone bills, paycheque stubs, old boarding passes and travel itineraries, and ATM receipts.
  • Don’t forget to check your envelopes! Anything with your name and address on it needs to be shredded, too.
  1. Your Phone

Odds are that you’re carrying a lot more in your phone than just your contact list. With smartphone theft on the rise, protect yourself:

  • Have a password-protected lock on your home screen. This is a standard feature on all smartphones for a reason, so take advantage of it! Bonus points if your smartphone also has location tracking (also known as the “find my phone” feature).
  • Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure, so avoid checking your bank accounts or doing your online shopping from the local coffee shop or during your layover at the airport.
  • Do not store sensitive information on your phone—storing passwords or login information in a note-taking app is bad news.
  1. The PIN Pad

It seems like every few months a new point-of-purchase scheme emerges—skimming devices, keystroke loggers, ATM hacking… the list goes on! Here are some good practices for when you’re out and about:

  • When making a purchase, keep your debit or credit card in sight at all times.
  • Use your hand to block the buttons when entering your PIN number, even if there’s no one immediately behind you—a camera can always be watching.
  • Choose a good PIN. Avoid PINs derived from your personal information, like your telephone number, address or birthday. Avoid an easy-to-guess PIN, like the dreaded “1234”.
  • Change up your PIN, especially if you use the same combination for your debit card and for unlocking your cellphone.
  1. Your Mailbox

Like the trash-picker approach mentioned above, mail tampering is a low-tech but relatively easy way for identity thieves to compromise your personal information. Here’s what you can do:

  • Familiarize yourself with your billing cycles. A late credit card statement or a bill that never shows up could be a sign of mail tampering.
  • Identity thieves will sometimes request a change of address to illegally reroute your mail to a different location. If you suddenly stop receiving mail, check with the post office to make sure this isn’t the case.
  • Use a mailbox with a locking system to deter thieves.
  1. Your Computer

You would think that this one would be common knowledge by now, but every so often a virus or scam comes along that trips us up. Stay one step ahead of scammers:

  • Keep your firewall, anti-virus and operating system software up-to-date. No matter how new and fast your laptop is, it still needs protection.
  • Enable spam filters on your email accounts.
  • Look out for sketchy links and emails. Ignore any suspicious password reset requests, unexpected tracking numbers or anything that asks for your personal information via email.
  • Don’t overshare on social media. Do your Facebook friends really need to know what year you were born? Can people tell when no one is home based on your Instagram feed? Keep your accounts private and make sure you’re not accidentally broadcasting sensitive information.

By being aware of the top 5 information jackpots and by implementing these simple strategies, you can keep identity thieves at bay.

Some Choices Matter

~ Tara ~ Leave a comment

Some choices matter – including where you choose to bank. You will probably do more business with your financial institution than any other corporation in your lifetime. So why not take the profits your financial institution makes, and put them to work for you and your community?

Credit score breakdown: what you need to know

~ Tara ~ Leave a comment

You’ve likely heard about credit scores before (thanks to all those commercials with terrible jingles), but what do you actually know about them? How long have they been around? And what’s the deal with checking them?

A credit score is a number (usually between 350 and 800) that represents your creditworthiness. It’s a standardized measurement that financial institutions and credit card companies use to determine risk level when considering issuing you a loan or a credit card. Basically, it provides a snapshot of how likely you are to repay your debts on time. Widespread use of credit scores has made credit more widely available and less expensive for many consumers.

The credit scoring system that we’re familiar with today has been around since the 1980s. Before then, there was no standardized way to measure creditworthiness, so it was up to individual lenders to make judgment calls on whether or not to loan money to someone. The old system was time-consuming, inconsistent and quite biased, so a credit scoring system was introduced.

The FICO score is the best known and most widely used credit score model in North America. It was first introduced in 1989 by FICO, then called Fair, Isaac and Company. It’s also known as the Beacon score in Canada. The FICO model is used by the vast majority of banks and credit grantors, and is based on consumer credit files from the two national credit bureaus: Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. Because a consumer’s credit file may contain different information at each of the bureaus, FICO scores can vary, depending on which bureau provides the information to FICO to generate the score.

When credit scores were first introduced, they were used primarily for loaning money. Today, credit scores have much more pull, and that’s why it’s important to understand how they’re calculated. Your monthly car payments, your ability to snag that sweet apartment and even the hiring manager’s decision on that new job you applied for can all be influenced by your credit score.

A credit score of 720 or more is considered prime—this means you’re in good shape. Scores under 625 mean you could be turned down for a loan. Scores in the good-not-great range (625 to 720) might get you loan approval, but your interest rates will be higher than if you had a prime credit score. Nobody likes the idea of paying more money for no reason, so it makes sense to adopt credit habits that will boost your overall score.

Taking the time to familiarize yourself with how credit scores are calculated is the first step in getting a strong score. Each credit bureau uses a slightly different calculation, but the basic breakdown goes like this:

  • 35% is based on payment history. Making payments on time boosts your score.
  • 30% is based on capacity. This is one of the areas where the less you use of your total available credit, the better. If you get close to maxing out all your credit cards or lines of credit, it tanks your score, even if you’re making your payments on time.
  • 15% is based on length of credit. Good credit habits over a long period of time raise your score.
  • 10% is based on new credit. Opening new credit cards (this includes retail credit cards) has a short-term negative effect on your score, so don’t open a whole bunch at once!
  • 10% is based on mix of credit. Having a combination of different types of credit (like revolving credit and installment loans) boosts this part of your score. Credit cards are considered revolving credit, and things like car loans and mortgages are installment loans.

Curious about your credit report? You are entitled to one free credit report per year by mail from Equifax and TransUnion. Spacing out your credit report requests allows you to check on your credit every six months or so. If you can’t wait for a free report by mail, you can always get an instant credit report online from Equifax or TransUnion for approximately $15.

When you receive your credit report, you’ll notice that it does not list your three-digit credit score. Despite this, it’s still a helpful reference because it serves as the basis of your credit score. If you know how a credit score is calculated, then you know how to look for factors on your credit report that might be influencing your score for better or for worse. It’s also an easy way to look at account openings, account closings and what your repayment history looks like.

You can get access to your actual credit score from either Equifax or TransUnion for an additional fee ($20 to $25).

Some commercials make it seem like credit scores are big, mysterious, randomly assigned numbers. But with a little research, a little patience and some good habits, you can influence your credit score in a positive way and not be caught off guard by a denied loan or an outrageous interest rate.

Banks vs credit unions: what you need to know

~ Tara ~ 1 Comment

What was the very first financial choice you ever made? It likely took place before your first job, even as far back as when your annual income consisted of money from the tooth fairy and lucky pennies. The very first financial decision you ever made is also one of the most important choices—where to keep your money.

When you first made that decision, piggy banks, sock drawers and buried-in-the-sandbox- like pirate treasure all seemed like perfectly acceptable options. As it turns out, they aren’t nearly as super-secret as you might have hoped. Opening a bank account is the best solution, but in order to do that, you first need to choose a financial institution—so, your choice is between a bank and a credit union.

Banks and credit unions offer essentially the same products and services, but there are huge differences in the way they operate. Despite this, many people put more thought into building their Netflix queue than they do choosing their financial institution. We are here to help fill in the gaps and show you how the differences can affect your dollars. Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking your current financial setup, here is what you need to know.

The main difference between banks and credit unions is in their structure. Banks are purely for profit, while credit unions are member-owned. This means that banks have numerous expenses that credit unions simply don’t have. Banks have to pay their shareholders and their private investors in addition to regular operating costs. Banks are set up in a way that allows a select group of people to make money off of your banking activity.

Credit unions, on the other hand, are set up in a way that allows all of their members to benefit from their profits. Once the operating costs are covered and reserves are set aside, the profits are distributed back to members in the form of dividends, patronage and community investment. Credit unions are accountable to their members, and therefore accountable to the communities that they live in. First Credit Union gives thousands of dollars back every year in the form of donations, sponsorship, scholarships, and youth leadership programs.

Credit unions sound pretty great, right? You might be wondering why some people choose banks over credit unions, even though credit unions consistently outperform banks when it comes to deposit and loan rates and customer service.

The simple answer is that banks are bigger, and some people believe bigger is better. A more effective approach would be to figure out your banking priorities. Here are some factors to consider:

1) Am I eligible for an account? Banks are open to anyone. Some credit unions have membership requirements, but don’t let that intimidate you! Requirements can be as simple as living in a certain community or working in a certain field. First Credit Union has very open membership requirements.

2) How much does it cost to get set up? Are there any fees associated with opening an account? Is there a minimum balance required? Joining a credit union involves purchasing a share, but this is different from a fee—it means you’re a member-owner of the credit union.

3) Will I have good access to ATMs? You might feel as though you see bank ATMs everywhere, but credit union ATMs are just as accessible. Credit union members have access to a network of thousands of ding free ATMs from sea to sea. In fact, the largest credit union ATM network in Canada is larger than the networks of both Scotiabank and the Bank of Montreal. You can find the closest ding free ATMs with the ding free ATM Locator App.

4) What can I do online? More and more financial institutions are offering online banking services. Find out what you can do from your computer and smartphone. Can you check your balance? Schedule payments? Transfer money between accounts? Taking advantage of online products can be super-convenient, and can avoid a trip to the ATM or the nearest branch.

5) And speaking of the nearest branch, where is it? Find out what the hours of operation are and how they work with your schedule. Find out if you can bank through other branches, too. This could come in handy if there’s a location close to work or school.

6) What can my financial institution do for me? Ask about products that are tailored to your situation. How do the interest rates compare to other financial institutions? Are there free products you’re eligible for? Don’t settle for a financial institution just because you need an account—you should also want to have an account there.

At the end of the day, choosing a financial institution is a personal decision with a huge influence on how you manage your money and your time. If you make the effort to ask questions and compare services, you’ll find the best home for your finances.

The Volunteer Experience: Gratitude, Happiness, and Pride

~ Tara ~ Leave a comment
Powell River staff getting ready to help with maintenance on the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Powell River staff getting ready to help with maintenance on the Sunshine Coast Trail.

It was not a decision that was made lightly; on Thursday October 8 First Credit Union & Insurance and Westview Agencies closed early. At 2pm, 140 staff turned off their office lights, loaded their vehicles with shovels, paint brushes, aprons, craft supplies, and scrub brushes, and headed into the community to work as volunteers.

What possessed us to potentially inconvenience our members and clients? Why did we decide to close early during an incredibly busy work week? We did it to make a statement – serving our communities is important to us. We did it because we believe in people helping people, and that volunteering is a powerful way to strengthen our communities.  We were hoping that our contribution would make a positive difference but we weren’t quite prepared for what we got in return.

For 3 hours our staff painted, filed, prepped food, cleared brush, scrubbed, planted trees, cleaned playgrounds, served seniors, weeded gardens, made crafts, and fund-raised for a local food bank. As we came together at the end of the day to share our stories, it was clear that although we’d volunteered for different organizations, we had all shared one very powerful experience – we were bursting with gratitude, happiness, and pride. Grateful to the non-profit organizations who work for our benefit every day; by volunteering we got to know more about them and we were in awe of what they accomplish. Happy to work alongside our coworkers towards a common goal; although we were working hard, we were having fun and the camaraderie was uplifting and energizing. Proud to work for our organization; closing early so that we could volunteer was a bold statement, but one that clearly articulates our values – how wonderful to work for an organization that ‘walks the walk’!

We started out wanting to make a positive impact – and we did. But what surprised us was that for that for all the positive energy and goodwill that we gave to our communities that afternoon, we received it all back … and more. Will we host another Community Impact Day? I hope so. Closing for a few hours so that we could volunteer in the community was a powerful experience – one that I would love to be part of again!

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When a Community Rallies Around a Dream

Image ~ ~ kevmanning ~ Leave a comment

The Story Behind the Dick van Aelst Memorial Welcome Gazebo

When the doors were open on the Bowen branch of First Credit Union in June of 2007, it was a move that flew in the face of expensive market research done by another much larger credit union. The findings of this research were that the island could not sustain a branch of a financial institution (FI). First Credit Union CEO Dave Craigen was not one to be deterred by such things. Instead of throwing up his hands and saying ‘oh well’’ like all the other FI’s that rejected the idea of opening a branch on Bowen Island, he came up with a partnership model that had been used once before. It would be a partnership with the community and would allow the credit union an out if things did not go well and the branch proved to be unsustainable. It involved forming a new set of shares unique to members on Bowen and having a separate board to represent the start up branch. The board was to be a group of islanders that had either been involved in trying to get a branch on the island or was passionate about making the idea work. Dick van Aelst was the only banker on this original board, recently retired from a 40 year career as a VP with one of the big chartered banks.

That was 2007 and in June of that year the branch was opened with second hand furniture in a small 900 square foot office with zero members and zero dollars in assets. There were many growing pains in those formative years but the community rallied behind the dream, spurred along by the positive energy and guidance of its own First Credit Union Bowen Board. In two years the branch hit positive net income for the month for the first time. It never went back to losing money again. In three and a half years the branch broke even, and by the middle of 2011 it was clear to all that the partnership model was no longer needed. The branch was a self sustainable viable economic entity that could carry on without any need of a back out plan.

At what would prove to be the final Bowen AGM in April of 2012, members voted unanimously to retire the unique class of Bowen shares and eliminate the partnership model and become a regular branch of First Credit Union. The Bowen Board would stay on, but with less regulatory requirements, as an Advisory Committee (AC). As a thank you to them, and to the community at large for supporting the branch, CEO Craigen pledged a one time gift of $5000 to be used in a manner that the new AC decided. A healthy Dick van Aelst was among those on the AC that accepted this gift on behalf of the community. They settled on the idea of a permanent multi-use structure to be built on the municipal wharf by the ferry, but sadly, by the time that they did, Dick had passed after a sudden and deadly return of a cancer battle he had waged earlier in his life. By the end of June he was gone and soon after the AC decided to name the structure in his memory.Dick van Aelst 9480 9769 9562 IMG_20150418_111402 IMG_20150418_142740

This was the birth of the Dick van Aelst Memorial Welcome Gazebo that now sits on the pier by the ferry. It was built over the summer of 2015 and true to the spirit of the man whose name it was built in, this was a community barn raising that had volunteerism and positivity at its heart. Thousands of hours of volunteer work are in that structure. It houses a large map of the island he loved, pamphlets and information for visitors, and a place for businesses to advertise. It is a shelter from the elements for all who must wait for the next ferry, a ticket booth for our annual dock dance and a welcome to all once they arrive. There will be music inside at our festivals and there is even talk of it housing a community piano for the summer seasons. Fundraising for that element has already begun with an independent grassroots movement; proof that the community has already adopted it as their own. Like the credit union, it is an island amenity brought about by the island rallying together around a dream, an idea that we can have something even though so many say it is not possible. In short, it is a small and nearly perfect embodiment of what Dick himself was. He would have been proud.