WINDSOR, ON (September 13, 2023) – WFCU Credit Union (WFCU) announced a noteworthy community donation yesterday at the Grand Opening celebration of its fourteenth retail branch location at 814 St. Clair Street in Chatham. The Credit Union is donating $50,000 to the Scottish Borderers Foundation’s ‘Service, Sacrifice and Duty’ capital fundraising campaign in support of the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment, which has the goal of sustaining the funds raised in perpetuity through the interest earned. Representatives from the Scottish Borderers Foundation attended yesterday’s Grand Opening event where they were presented with a large cheque in front of the Chatham-Kent Mayor and other dignitaries, special guests, and members of the media.

“It gives us great pride to be able to contribute meaningfully to this important Foundation. One of WFCU’s community investment pillars is education, and we hope that with this donation, the Scottish Borderers Foundation, in support of the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment, will be able to continue to erect and maintain monuments both locally and abroad, as well as stand ready to attend local parades and commemorations to remind the community of its important and ongoing work to protect Canadians and their allies,” said WFCU President & CEO, Eddie Francis.

“We would like to express our gratitude to WFCU Credit Union for its generous donation to our capital campaign. As the government funds only a limited portion of the Regiment’s commemorative initiatives, we rely on the community to support us in making up the difference and helping to adequately fund our initiatives both locally and abroad. This meaningful donation will support our goal of seeing the funds raised continue in perpetuity for the benefit of the Regiment and the community it supports,” said Scottish Borderers Foundation President and former Commanding Officer of the Essex and Kent Scottish, Mike Robinson.

WFCU is committed to supporting organizations and individuals that contribute to the well-being of its communities. The Credit Union takes pride in the legacy it has built in the Windsor-Essex region and is passionate about continuing this legacy in its new home, Chatham. In addition to the Scottish Borderers Foundation donation announcement, WFCU also announced that it will be supporting several other initiatives in the Chatham community this fall/winter, including the Habitat for Humanity Chatham RiverRun, Crowfest, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation Benefit Gala, the Chatham Goodfellows Halloween Spooktacular, and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation Christmas Wish Tree campaign.

The Scottish Borderers Foundation, which is the official Foundation of the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment, honours 200 years of service and sacrifice with a fundraising goal of $600,000. Donations are added to the Foundation’s capital base with the goal of maintaining it in perpetuity at a sustainable level. The interest earned over time will be used to fund a variety of important commemorative initiatives, including representation at commemorative events, support of
the Regiment’s Pipes & Drums, building and maintaining monuments, and preservation of records and historical artifacts. For more information, and to donate, visit servicesacrificeduty.ca.

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About WFCU Credit Union:
WFCU Credit Union has been recognized as a leading, progressive financial institution headquartered in Windsor and Essex County since 1940. Proudly serving Ontario residents, community organizations, small businesses, commercial entities, and public institutions for over 80 years, WFCU Credit Union is the sixth largest credit union in Ontario, and twentieth largest credit union in Canada.

WFCU Credit Union operates nine retail locations across Windsor-Essex, one in Chatham, one in London, and three in the Waterloo Region through ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union. WFCU also operates the digital entity, Omnia Direct. Through its variety of service channels including online and mobile banking, live telephone banking, and ATM services, WFCU Credit Union and its divisions have become the financial institutions of choice for 65,869 members across Ontario, including 61,117 personal members in 25,352 households, 3,420 businesses, and 1,332 organizations. Currently, WFCU Credit Union has $8.85 billion in Managed Assets and Member Service Totals of $11.8 billion. WFCU Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Ontario.

About the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment:
For over 200 years, men and women of The Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment have unfailingly answered the call to service. Local troops were engaged in key battles in the War of 1812 and in both World Wars, including the ill-fated Dieppe Raid. Since then, the Regiment has remained active in conflicts, peacekeeping, and peace-enforcing missions around the world. This work includes overseas operations, often in areas of active conflict, where they play a vital role in advancing Canada’s foreign-policy initiatives. It also includes domestic operations, from natural disaster relief to keeping seniors safe in a time of pandemic, where they remain ready to answer the call wherever they are needed.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Stasko
Director, Marketing, Communications & Community Investment
WFCU Credit Union
519.567.4863
rstasko@wfcu.ca

CHATHAM, ON (September 12, 2023) – WFCU Credit Union (WFCU) announced several community investment initiatives today at the Grand Opening celebration of its fourteenth retail branch location at 814 St. Clair Street in Chatham. As part of these community commitments, WFCU is donating $50,000 to the Scottish Borderers Foundation’s ‘Service, Sacrifice and Duty’ capital fundraising campaign in support of the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment, which has the goal of sustaining the funds raised in perpetuity through the interest earned.

Representatives from the Scottish Borderers Foundation attended today’s event, where they were presented with a large cheque in front of dignitaries, special guests, and members of the media. Chatham-Kent Mayor, Darrin Canniff, spoke during the ribbon-cutting event, and Chatham-Kent Ward 6 Councillor, Alysson Storey, as well as Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Gail Hundt, and the Downtown Chatham BIA were also in attendance.

“Chatham is an important milestone for WFCU Credit Union, as it represents our continued investment in our members, and fulfils a promise to bring better financial products, services, and advice to more communities, both large and small. It is with great pride that we commit $50,000 to the Scottish Borderers Foundation and announce additional community donations to demonstrate WFCU’s mission of contributing to the wellbeing of the communities we operate in,” said WFCU President & CEO, Eddie Francis.

WFCU takes pride in the legacy it has built in the Windsor-Essex region and is passionate about continuing this legacy in its new home, Chatham. In addition to the Scottish Borderers Foundation donation announcement made today, WFCU was a proud sponsor of Chatham’s Retrofest event this past spring, and the recent Buxton 100th Homecoming celebration. This fall/winter, WFCU also announced that it will be supporting the Habitat for Humanity Chatham RiverRun, Crowfest, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation Benefit Gala, the Chatham Goodfellows Halloween Spooktacular, and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation Christmas Wish Tree campaign.

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About WFCU Credit Union:
WFCU Credit Union has been recognized as a leading, progressive financial institution headquartered in Windsor and Essex County since 1940. Proudly serving Ontario residents, community organizations, small businesses, commercial entities, and public institutions for over 80 years, WFCU Credit Union is the sixth largest credit union in Ontario, and twentieth largest credit union in Canada.

WFCU Credit Union operates nine retail locations across Windsor-Essex, one in Chatham, one in London, and three in the Waterloo Region through ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union. WFCU also operates the digital entity, Omnia Direct. Through its variety of service channels including online and mobile banking, live telephone banking, and ATM services, WFCU Credit Union and its divisions have become the financial institutions of choice for 65,869 members across Ontario, including 61,117 personal members in 25,352 households, 3,420 businesses, and 1,332 organizations. Currently, WFCU Credit Union has $8.85 billion in Managed Assets and Member Service Totals of $11.8 billion. WFCU Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Ontario.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Stasko
Director, Marketing, Communications & Community Investment
WFCU Credit Union
519.567.4863
rstasko@wfcu.ca

LONDON/WINDSOR, ON (February 9, 2023) – Health Care Credit Union (“HCCU”) and WFCU Credit Union (“WFCU”) are excited to announce their intent to join for the benefit of the members and employees of both credit unions; and to further strengthen their financial and cooperative positions within their respective Southwestern Ontario markets. The two credit unions have signed a Letter of Intent that will see HCCU become part of WFCU later in 2023 subject to HCCU member approval.

“Over the past year, HCCU has been engaged in an assessment of the future of the credit union. The Board of Directors has determined the need to partner with an organization whose values and vision mirror our own, in order to expand and improve the products and services required to compete in this ever-changing environment of digital and online banking. After a robust process of option analysis, due diligence and reflection, the HCCU Board is pleased to confirm that WFCU is its preferred partner due to its proven track record of member service, competitive products and services, technology investment, financial sustainability, and commitment to the healthcare community,” states Jeanne Gibson, Chair, HCCU Board of Directors.

With regulatory approval, HCCU and its service to healthcare sector members will move forward under the name Healthcare – A Division of WFCU Credit Union. This name and mission will help drive both HCCU’s and WFCU’s healthcare-focused initiatives and their joint vision for the future financial service of healthcare members.

“Our shared vision and motivation excites us for this opportunity to come together and strengthen both of our credit unions. However, equally important is that our shared partnership is one in which HCCU’s remarkable history of serving the needs of its healthcare members and community is preserved and celebrated. This, in turn, better positions us to do more for our collective members, staff, and the communities we serve,” said Eddie Francis, President and CEO, WFCU. “As part of WFCU, a healthcare advisory board will be created that will include the HCCU Board as its first members. This advisory board will focus solely on ensuring the distinct needs of HCCU members and healthcare professionals are understood and integrated into WFCU’s operations.

“As a credit union, our foundation is built on the cooperative values of putting the financial well-being of our members and community at the forefront of everything we do,” commented Marty Gillis, Chair, WFCU Board of Directors. “Joining forces with HCCU will allow both our credit unions to strengthen our positions and deliver more to the members and communities we serve.

With regulatory approval, members of HCCU will be asked to vote on the proposed merger at HCCU’s AGM on March 20, 2023. The agreement will then be finalized in June 2023. Subject to membership approval, the proposed partnership will maintain a combined network of 13 retail locations and one digital branch, serving over 65,000 members across Ontario with $4.43 billion in assets under administration.

“Aligning our operations with WFCU allows us to provide more for our members with immediate access to a greater variety of product and service offerings,” explained Jolanta Swiatek, President and CEO, HCCU. “In addition, our employees are being offered roles consistent with those they have today, as well as greater opportunity for career growth and training. Both WFCU and HCCU possess strong community values and a desire to grow and expand in their service to the health care community, providing exemplary support and service for our present membership and those who will join us in the future.”

 

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For more information, please contact:

Jolanta Swiatek
CEO/General Manager
Health Care Credit Union
519.685.8353
info@healthcarecu.ca

Eddie Francis
President & CEO
WFCU Credit Union
519-974-3100 ext 1303
efrancis@wfcu.ca

 

About Health Care Credit Union

Since its incorporation in 1949, Health Care Credit Union has been providing financial services to the health care community in London and area while operating independent of any hospital affiliation. We offer a full range of traditional and internet banking services using the latest technology to more than 2,100 members. Health Care Credit Union is committed to a collective approach to saving and to using these savings to provide loans at competitive rates to our members.

 

About WFCU Credit Union

WFCU Credit Union has been recognized as a leading, progressive financial institution headquartered in Windsor and Essex County since 1940. Proudly serving Ontario residents, community organizations, small businesses, commercial entities and public institutions for over 80 years, WFCU Credit Union is the sixth largest credit union in Ontario, and twentieth largest credit union in Canada.

WFCU Credit Union operates nine retail locations in Windsor-Essex as well as three retail locations in the Waterloo Region through ECU – A Division of WFCU Credit Union and one digital entity, Omnia Direct. Through their variety of service channels including online and mobile banking, telephone banking and ATM services, WFCU Credit Union and its divisions have become the financial institutions of choice for 64,570 members across Ontario including 59,769 personal members in 25,510 households, 3,431 businesses and 1,370 organizations. Currently, WFCU Credit Union has $8.93 billion in Managed Assets and Member Service Totals of $11.8 billion. WFCU Credit Union membership is open to anyone who lives and/or works in Ontario. 

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