We’re exploring this merger specifically to be of better service to our members and to ensure that is always the case. The many benefits include:

• Sustainable, reliable access to financial services in rural Saskatchewan communities.
• Additional capacity to price products and services competitively.
• New products and ideas made possible by our greater capacity.
• More training and growth opportunities for our employees.
• Increased capacity to support our communities.
• Increased volumes resulting in improved efficiencies of scale.

The wellbeing of our members here at home is our priority.

The way you bank with any of the three credit unions today should remain very familiar. There will be positive choices over time: new account ideas, new products and services, improved access thanks to improving technology. No one wants change for the sake of change. But the changes we can make together can be well-informed, well-communicated and offered as a choice. We think that’s all good news.

If the three credit unions come together, there may be very small disruptions to banking systems and the like as operation integration happens. We’ve spread the timeline out for that work, and we’ll do everything in our power to reduce or eliminate disruption.

The new credit union will have the scale ($2 billion in assets) and the footprint (rural Saskatchewan, south to north) to enhance farm and business banking services. We’ll be able to help more businesses grow. We’ll be able to tailor products specifically for rural and local requirements. We will be able to make decisions close to home – where you work. We see the potential of every business and farm in Saskatchewan and we plan to ensure everyone has the opportunity to prosper.

The combined strengths of each credit union will allow us to enhance member experience and attract new members as we continue to grow in the future.  In most cases you will continue to deal with the trusted advisors you work with today. 

Yes.  The merger will not affect the deposit guarantee.  Deposits are 100% guaranteed today through Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation and will continue to be so in the new credit union. 

Our focus on rural Saskatchewan is intentional.  As the competition continues to leave our communities we continue to invest in them through local advice, being a good employer, and investing our profits back into our communities.  We believe in both an in-branch personal experience as well we know we need to continue to invest in technology to allow our members the convenience to transact whenever and wherever they are.  Over the years we have seen members come and go from our communities.  People are no longer choosing their financial institution by geographical location or proximity.  We find that members of today are more committed to their roots and are quite happy to contact their local advisor in their preferred method.  They want to do business with the credit union profession who they have a built a relationship with and who understands their borrowing and investing needs.  The remainder of their transactions are conducted through digital channels.  As a large credit union, we will continue to invest in the new technologies to meet the future needs of all members. 

We pride ourselves on being available to our members, and that’s not something we are considering changing through the course of this merger.

The new credit union will have 30 branches across Saskatchewan.  Today, all three credit unions have members living in Saskatoon, Regina, and many other locations.  We know our members and they know us; their trusted advisor is only a click or phone call away.   We make our decisions locally which ensures we can serve members effectively and efficiently.  This includes those who remain in our local communities and those who have moved from the area.  In addition, we continue to invest in digital banking channels and apps to provide convenient account access to our members wherever they call home.