WHY CHOOSE US

It’s worth it, to all of us.

We are a financial cooperative.

You may have heard of cooperatives. Some of them sell sporting goods, some of them sell groceries or fuel. All of them are about people achieving more together than they can on their own. As a financial cooperative, we’re like that too.

When you join our credit union you are a member, not a customer, and that makes all the difference. Our members are our owners and have an equal say in how our credit union operates, no matter their balance.

Our members empower us to put people before profits and work in their true interests. By providing world-class banking services, the best financial advice in Canada and an approach that centres around our members, we simplify lives, helping members and creating a future where everyone can flourish.

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It's worth it, to all of us.

We are a financial cooperative.

What does this mean for your financial wellbeing?

It’s simple. Your goals are our goals. We grow when you grow. It’s a partnership, not a transaction.

And here, we believe financial wellbeing is for everyone—learn why.

YOU

Our expert financial advice focuses on your evolving financial needs, not making short-term profits for faraway shareholders.

YOUR MONEY

Our profits are reinvested into our membership through free day-to-day banking, low-fee business accounts and great rates.

YOUR COMMUNITY

Enjoy competitive returns knowing your deposits help us support organizations that strengthen your local businesses and community.

Kendall Gross, President

Kendall has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has spent 25 of those years in senior leadership roles. After several years with a large Canadian bank where he led major projects and district teams, he joined the credit union system in 2015 as a member of First West’s Valley First division. Kendall is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and holds multiple Canadian securities certifications as well as a Green Belt in Lean methodologies.

Kendall is a dedicated leader in the community, having previously earned honours from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and BDO’s Top 40 Over 40. He has been involved in youth football for more than a decade, serving as a provincial championship-winning coach and a director at the board level. He also enjoys supporting other local causes including programs provided by community food banks.

Kendall Gross, President

2022 Community Support

How we've supported our communities in 2022

Cowichan Valley

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $73,732

Support for organizations creating good things in our communities including:

A Better Life Foundation
BC Cancer Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters Cowichan Valley
Canadian Red Cross
Friends of Cowichan Public Art Gallery Society
Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank
Cowichan Brain Injury Society
Cowichan Valley Hospice Society
Dine & Sip Cowichan
Ladysmith Family and Friends Society
Ladysmith Library
Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society
Peninsula Co-Op
The Big Shop of Horrors Charity Society

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Raising food, funds and awareness for food banks serving Island Savings communities.

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $12,500

First West Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Savings, providing grants to organizations which help our communities thrive.

Support to charities promoting resilient & sustainable Island communities including:

Clements Centre Society
United Way British Columbia

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $1,250

Neighbourhood grants creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness:

Ladysmith Family & Friends Society

Victoria

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $191,299

Support to organizations creating good things in our communities including:

A Better Life Foundation
BC Cancer Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Victoria
Bridges Women’s Society
Canadian Red Cross
Chemainus Theatre Festival Society
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
Pacific Sport Program
United Way of Greater Victoria
Ukrainian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island
United Way Southern Vancouver Island
University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University Foundation
Victoria Film Festival
Victoria Foundation
Victoria Hospitals Foundation
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Victoria Pride Society
Victoria Youth Empowerment Society

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Raising food, funds and awareness for food banks serving Island Savings communities.

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $2,500

Neighbourhood grants creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness:

Community International Women’s Day
Creekside Community Concert
Community Music on the Green
South Island Centre for Counseling & Training

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $176,088

First West Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Savings, providing grants to organizations which help our communities thrive.

Support to charities promoting resilient & sustainable Island communities including:

1000x5 Children's Book Recycling Project Society
Balfour’s Friends Foundation
BC Black History Awareness Society of BC
BeaYOUtiful Foundation
Burnside Gorge Community Association
Edward Milne Community School Society
Growing Chefs Society
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Parkinson Wellness Projects
Seniors Serving Seniors Association of BC
Silver Threads Service Society
South Island Centre for Counseling & Training
United Way British Columbia
Victoria Compost & Conservation Education Centre
Victoria Native Friendship Society

Salt Spring & Area

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $31,079

Support for organizations creating good things in our communities.

A Better Life Foundation
BC Cancer Foundation
Canadian Red Cross
Coast Mental Health Foundation
Gulf Islands Secondary School SD #64
Pender Island Food Bank
Pender Hall Community Hall
Pender Island Library
Ptarmigan Arts Society
Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce
Salt Spring Island Community Services
Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust
Salt Spring Island Minor Baseball & Softball Association
Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre
Southern Gulf Islands Neighbourhood House
The Circle Salt Spring Education Society

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Raising food, funds and awareness for food banks serving Island Savings communities.

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $59,500

First West Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Savings, providing grants to organizations which help our communities thrive.

Support to charities promoting resilient & sustainable Island communities including:

Gulf Island Marine Rescue Society
Gulf Island School District #64
Salt Spring Therapeutic Riding Association
The Circle Salt Spring Education Society
United Way British Columbia

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $1,000

Neighbourhood grants creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness:

Salt Spring Elementary

Nanaimo & Area

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $57,249

Support to organizations creating good things in our communities.

A Better Life Foundation
BC Cancer Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Vancouver Island
Canadian Red Cross
Cedar Farmers Market Agricultural Society
Coast Mental Health Foundation
Decoda Literacy
Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation
Nanaimo Loaves & Fishes
School District #68
U13 Nanaimo Raiders

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Raising food, funds and awareness for food banks serving Island Savings communities.

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $2,000

Neighbourhood grants creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness:

Amazing Animals - Insects & Pollinators
Reconciliation Theatre presents "True West"
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $59,500

First West Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Savings, providing grants to organizations which help our communities thrive.

Support to charities promoting resilient & sustainable Island communities including:

Nanaimo Brain Injury Society
Nanaimo Community Kitchen
Nanaimo Region John Howard Society
Nanaimo Science & Sustainability Society
The Men’s Resource Centre
Wisteria Community Association
United Way British Columbia

Our commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity

Island Savings's foundational values demand that we, as an organization, actively strive for equity, inclusion and diversity. We believe in cultivating an environment in which every employee, member and community partner—both present and future—is valued for their uniqueness and is empowered to thrive.

Learn more here

THE ADVANTAGES OF BANKING WITH US

MEMBER-OWNED AND RUN

Members vote for directors at board elections, giving you a say in how our credit union operates.

TRUSTED ADVICE

Expert financial advice and local decision making to meet your financial needs as they evolve.

BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

We partner with local organizations to create good things in our communities.

Become a member

Reach your financial goals and strengthen your community – that’s banking with purpose. Discover the benefits of belonging to a financial cooperative. Become a member online or call 1-888-597-1083 to get started.

BECOME A MEMBER

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Become a business member

Whether you’re a small business starting out or a large established operation, we have the right products, services and advice for you. Let us help you reach new levels of success.

LEARN MORE

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We're working to become a federal credit union

Learn what it means to be a federal credit union including benefits and risks at firstwestcu.ca. For full details about the changes in deposit insurance, see the Notice Pursuant to the Disclosure on Continuance Regulations.

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We believe in the power of partnership, working together to achieve social impact and make a difference in our communities.

Community Partnerships

Through our partnership with the First West Foundation, $1,092,023 has been granted from the foundation’s 16 endowments and charitable giving campaigns in 2023.

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Do Some Good

Our employees spent 2,605 hours helping those in need and building our local communities in 2023.

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The Full Cupboard

We are on a mission to raise food, funds and awareness for our local food banks. In 2023 alone, we provided 189,163 meals through our Signature Cause, The Full Cupboard.

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Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, acknowledges that we have privilege of doing business on the traditional and unceded territory of Coast Salish, Snuneymuxw, Semiahmoo, Quw'utsun (Cowichan), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lkwungen (Songhees), Pacheedaht, Scia’new, Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE W̱SÁNEĆ, Stz'uminus, and sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen) Peoples.

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WHY CHOOSE US

It’s worth it, to all of us.​​

It's worth it, to all of us.

What does this mean for your financial wellbeing?

YOU​

YOUR MONEY

YOUR COMMUNITY​

Kendall Gross, President

Kendall Gross, President

How we've supported our communities in 2022

Cowichan Valley

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $73,732

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $12,500

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $1,250

Victoria

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $191,299

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $2,500

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $176,088

Salt Spring & Area

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $31,079

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $59,500

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $1,000

Nanaimo & Area

Island Savings Community Partnerships & Donations: $57,249

The Full Cupboard Signature Cause: $85,291

Island Savings Simple Generosity Grants: $2,000

First West Foundation | Island Savings Community Endowment: $59,500

Our commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity

THE ADVANTAGES OF BANKING WITH US

Become a member

Become a business member

We're working to become a federal credit union

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU

Meet with us

It’s worth it, to all of us.

YOU

YOUR COMMUNITY