Servus Credit Union

Budgeting is an important part of financial fitness. Putting part of your monthly income into an emergency savings account can mean that if something happens, you have easily accessible funds to get you through and don't have to hurt your piggy bank. Learn how to create a "rainy day" fund and why it's important on our latest blog: https://srvs.media/3ipSNY0

The Servus Big Share is back! Save money, earn Profit Share Rewards cash and be entered to win $1 million. From now until April, for every $500 you save, you'll earn 1 entry into the contest. Find the full details on our website: https://srvs.media/35CdD16

As a credit union our members are our owners. As owners, one of the ways members contribute to the credit union’s success is by helping to choose the Board of Directors. Check out the candidates for Servus’s 2021 Board elections: https://srvs.media/3nzXxv3

Today is the International Day of People with Disabilities and Servus is proud to be able to support organizations such as the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS). A long-standing partnership since 2012, PARDS is a not-for-profit therapeutic riding centre that offers equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with disabilities. The goal when someone joins PARDS is to increase their self-esteem, confidence, as well as physical and mental skills. The four-leg...ged friends tall and small help to bring out the best in their riders and give them opportunities to build strength and resilience. In 2012 and 2013, Servus was also able to fund the purchase of a new therapy horse who spent many happy years helping kids and adults. Thank you for being a wonderful community partner! Pictured below is Servus the horse and one of his loving riders!

Every year our members look forward to Profit Share Rewards Day and this year we’re sharing $33.3 million in rewards cash. It's one of the reasons it pays to be part of the inner circle and we can't wait to celebrate with our members on December 7! Want to learn how you can get your share? Check out our blog: https://srvs.media/36mIiQP

If you're doing lots of online shopping these days, make sure you are protecting your personal information! Use complex passwords, avoid public WiFis, and learn how to recognize a scam - especially with some of the hot ticket items. Here are some tips and tricks to keep yourself cyber safe over the holidays: https://srvs.media/3pnXOm8

You’ve probably heard us talk a lot about Profit Share, but what is it? As a credit union, we are owned by our members so whenever we make profits the money goes back to our members instead of big shareholders. As a member, the more you bank with us, the bigger share you’ll earn! Want to learn more? Check out our blog: https://srvs.media/36mIiQP

It is All-Access Week at the Glenbow Museum until November 22nd! This is your last chance to check out some of the Glenbow's classic exhibits before they close for renovations - other exhibits in the museum will still be open throughout 2021 and there's always more to explore online with Glenbow-at-home virtual tours. Tickets are free but you need to book in advance through https://www.glenbow.org/. The Glenbow is a source of education, entertainment, and inspiration in Calgary and Servus is proud to help make it more accessible.

Since we launched the Servus Feel Good Movement, Servus has given more than $1 million in donations to community organizations, and $100,000 to deserving Albertans as part of our nomination program. We’re proud to support organizations like The Doorway in Calgary, who helps youth who are homeless or in vulnerable living situations. The Doorway works to help reintegrate the youth into society and achieve their goals. Read more about our community donations: https://www.servus.ca/newsr//11/feel-good-movement-wrap-up

From the 995 unique Servus Feel Good Movement nominations we received, we awarded $1,000 gifts to 57 people, 24 businesses and 19 non-profits a grand total of $100,000! On top of that, we donated more than $1 million to deserving community organizations across Alberta. Read more about how we’ve directed our community funding to support some amazing organizations across the province: https://servus.ca/blog/2020/11/servus-feel-good-movement

Lynn and Coco’s Café have become a pillar of the Jasper community, welcoming everyone who walks through the café door, so it was no surprise to many locals when they were nominated for our Feel Good Movement. Part of the Jasper main street since 1994, the small but cozy café loves being involved in community most notably Jasper Pride, as owner Lynn sits on the board. She also helps locals by providing meals to those in need, which many have relied on especially during COVID...-19. Whether it’s supporting school groups such as the hockey team, gymnastics club, or bike events, Coco’s is constantly giving back to the community. A caregiver at heart, Lynn always puts others before herself, making sure her family and staff are taken care of first and that sense of care can be felt in the delicious goodies they make, seven days a week! Coco's Café was also recently awarded Jasper's Corporate Citizen of the Year - a big congrats to Lynn and her team. See more

Meet Chengay our 2020 Servus Big Share Winner who won on a Profit Share Rewards cash early entry from her mortgage! Since winning the $1 million, she has paid off her mortgage, put more into her savings and treated her family a little too. We caught up with Chengay earlier this year and here is what she had to say about how winning the $1 million has changed her life. Our members have been enjoying the benefits of being in our inner circle this month with Profit Share Rewards, and Chengay was able to join the winners circle because of it too! Learn more: https://srvs.media/37Eh7Bx

The Servus Feel Good Movement was truly a province wide initiative! We were able to gift a total of 375 gift cards to deserving individuals and organizations across 40 cities in Alberta.

Capturing the human experience in its most honest and raw form takes a particular person. In Edmonton, that is Jerry Cordeiro - one of our latest Feel Good Movement recipients. A compassionate person who spends much of his time in the inner city, getting to know strangers and listening to who they are; eventually telling their story in both written and photo form. He also gathers items for care packages and delivers them to those who need it most. Because of his connection to... the community, Jerry also helps individuals find homes and has connected family members who have been searching for each other. His primary job is that of a photographer and over the past few months it has been hard but he has continued to tell his stories through his project, The Humans Experience. The photos below are of Jerry in his element behind the camera, receiving his gift at one of our branches, and one of the people he has interviewed through 'The Humans Experience'.

We've accomplished a lot through the Servus Feel Good Movement. We’re excited to feature some highlights from the past 18 weeks. Thanks to everyone who submitted nominations all 995 of them!

Your coffee cup might not be the only thing that ends up emptied when using public WiFi! When banking online, it's safest to access your account on a computer or through an app using a secure WiFi signal like a home one or your data. If you're using the local coffee shop internet while doing your banking, someone could access your information since you're sharing the same signal. Make sure you have a secure password too! The more different numbers and letters, the harder it will be to crack!

There's something soothing about a warm beverage on a chilly day and The Meeting Place in Bashaw is just the place to get one. A Feel Good Movement recipient, the café churns out baked goods and warm beverages a-plenty while still giving back to the community. Owner Stacy Trombley wanted to create a space where people could feel welcomed, enjoy their surroundings, and relax - she has done all of that and more. As a small business, Stacy supports other local shops as much as possible from deli meats for sandwiches to veggies from a local garden. When it came time to re-open, she asked her customers what they wanted so as to not waste food and make sure they felt comfortable. With the coffee hot again and fresh doughnuts ready to eat, if you find yourself in Bashaw make sure to pop by for a visit!

Working from home has become a daily part of life for many people. You can help keep your work computer safe by using your company VPN, having a secure home WiFi password, and only using your device for work related uses; protect your c omputer and server data from suspicious activity. If you do work in a coffee shop or a public place, your information might not be secure even if you use a VPN and you put yourself at risk for having your physical device stolen too. Get more WFH tips here: https://workfromhome.knowbe4.com/

With one in 10 households in Alberta experiencing food insecurity, for many children their school lunch program is crucial to making sure they are able to keep up their energy to learn. Seeing a need in the community, Bro'Kin Yolk stepped in with Brown Bagging For Calgary Kids (BB4CK) to make sure that kids could still get the meals they needed while not in school. Owners and brothers Gil and Jeff, and their staff, were helping to hand out over 200 lunches per day across their three locations - making many kids and communities in Calgary feel good! If you know a business like Bro'Kin Yolk that's been helping out in the community, nominate them as part of our Feel Good Movement here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

While mask wearing has become part of our daily lives, Jonathan Gourlay had a way to help those who had to wear them for an extended period of time. He began printing 3D mask adapters for frontline workers and others in need. Within a few weeks he had made over 500, donating them locally and across Canada and has continued to print them. Thanks Jonathan for being part of our Feel Good Movement and supporting the community! If you know someone like Jonathan who is helping out in the community, nominate them as part of our Feel Good Movement here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

No one likes getting spam emails but opening or replying to them is one way that your device and information can become compromised. Here are some tips to recognizing fraudulent emails: 1. Look at the email address. Many spam emails don't match the person or company that they are coming from. 2. Look for typos in the body of the email. Some will be obvious, some you'll have to look for a bit more closely. ... 3. Anyone asking for gift cards as a payment or saying that there is a large sum of money waiting for you. If anyone asks for your SIN, banking information, or passwords via email, don't send it! 4. Don't open attachments or links from senders that you don't recognize it. If you're not expecting it, don't open it. 5. If you're unsure if it's fake or not, reach out to the business or person using contact details that you are confident about in a new email. Don’t use the contact information on the email or reply to the message.

October is Cyber Security Month! We will be bringing you tips and tricks on how you can keep yourself and your information safe online. Having secure WiFi is important when browsing the internet. Using unsecure or public WiFi can leave your device and information vulnerable to being compromised. When setting up home WiFi, change the vendor's default password. This is usually found on the device itself. Set a secure password using numbers and letters (your internet service provider should be able to help with this). Don't use easily guessable things like your address, name of pet's date of birth etc. Don't use a signal if you don't know where it's coming from and if you connect it, protect it! Check out more on our blog here: https://www.servus.ca//2019/10/maximize-your-cyber-security

It's small business week and we're recognizing some of Feel Good Movement small businesses! Oops Fresh Market in Delburne is a community hub. When things went into lockdown, owner Chad Young made sure that PPE supplies were stocked immediately and the trucks were rolling in so shelves could remain full at affordable prices. He cares about his community, family, and staff, and is always there keeping everyone fed, safe. Chad's staff mirror that passion and have been key in supporting the community as well. Thanks for being part of the Feel Good Movement! Tag your favourite small business in the comments below to recognize them!

Locals need locals! We’re all about community and who better to help out than the people who live in it? Whether you’re a minor sports team, a student group, or a small band, we can help! Find out more: https://www.servus.ca/business/non-profit

From our first branch in Mangan in 1938 to over 100 branches across Alberta, our noble purpose has guided us into the four corners of the province. Our most northern branch - Fort McMurray - has shown tremendous resilience in the face of natural disasters. To the east, Lloydminster, where in 1958 the building had two teller windows, one for Alberta and one for Saskatchewan.... Next we head down south to Coleman, in the heart of the Crowsnest Pass and home to the World's Biggest Piggy Bank! Last and certainly west, is Grande Cache. Nestled at the bottom of the Rocky Mountains, it borders on the stunning Willmore Wilderness Park and is also host to the Canadian Death Race every year - make sure your finances are in order before you start! Read more about our story and our noble purpose: https://www.servus.ca/about/our-organization

We are delighted to share one of our latest Feel Good Movement recipients, the Old Strathcona Youth Society (OSYS). Since March of 2020 the Old Strathcona Youth Society has been providing hot meals, support, basic needs (hygiene, clothing)., harm reduction supplies, and information to many of Edmonton's vulnerable populations. Although the age range is 14 - 24 throughout the pandemic, until August 2020, they have been serving the older adult population as well, since the serv...ices on the south side had closed and moved their operations to the Expo Centre. The OSYS staff have been front line throughout and have struggled with providing hope and maintaining connection with our clients in a strange and chaotic world. It has been stressful, but with consistent de-briefing and support from volunteers and other community agencies, they have been able to provide between 20 and 40 meals per day. The Old Strathcona Youth Society should be recognized and commended for their tireless work with homeless and multi-barrier populations in Edmonton throughout the pandemic and every day. https://www.osys.ca/

It's World Credit Union Day! To celebrate, we're sharing some credit union history and fun facts from all over the province. Starting with, Alberta’s first credit union. On September 27, 1938, Mangan Credit Union of Edmonton, Alberta is granted Charter #1 under the Alberta Credit Union Act. The application has 11 subscribers for 22 shares at $5 each, and $14.25 is collected at the organizing meeting. On the same date, Edmonton Civil Service Savings and Credit Union is grant...ed Charter #2. The era of the Alberta credit unions and the Servus story begins. Inglewood Credit Union in Calgary follows closely with Charter #4 on October 26, 1938. Moving to our rural roots, La Caisse Populaire de la Paroisse Catholique de St. Paul Savings and Credit Union is formed May 4, 1939. After several name changes and amalgamations over the years, these will eventually become Servus Credit Unions. In a time when it is next to impossible for women to get a loan, on March 31, 1941, Pioneer Credit Union of High River, Alberta becomes the world’s first all-women’s credit union. The original credit union did not have a single default on its books until after men were allowed as members. Fast forward a few years from quills and ink to computers and internet! Alberta saw the introduction of the first credit union ATMs in 1978. They sprouted up rapidly in 17 locations across the province by the end of 1980. With the introduction of the World Wide Web, Albertans were told to start their modems! Parkland and Capital City Savings were the first credit unions in Alberta to get on the internet and introduce online banking in 1997. Eleven years later, on November 1, 2008, three credit unions merged to form Servus Credit Union - the first province-wide credit union in Canada - and have over 100 locations. As Servus continued to expand, so did technological capabilities and with cellphones now more powerful than the first computers, Servus' first mobile banking app was released in 2014. E-transfers were also introduced, making online payments easier for members. Now in 2020, digital banking has evolved to the point where you can pay for items using a smartwatch - something that would have seemed unthinkable in 1938!

Meet Egondu! Known as the ‘welcoming committee’ for the Nigerian community in Edmonton, she is always connecting with people and making sure they are taken care of. When COVID-19 forced her day home for kids to close, she found new ways to care for those in need by doing door stop deliveries for those in quarantine or who couldn’t grocery shop; all while counselling women who are feeling depressed and connecting them to people who could help their career. Her family also helps newcomers in transitioning their lives to Canada and helps them find the necessary resources to get them settled. Nominate the welcoming committee in your community like Egondu for our Feel Good Movement and they could be gifted with $1000! Read more here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that’s just what Knee Deep Bar and Grill did in High River. Not wanting to waste food when the pandemic began, they started making soup for people in need in the community. Thanks to donations and volunteers from the town, they were able to continue serving meals and now have been able to re-open again for regular business including their very popular wing night! If your favourite local spot like Knee Deep has been giving back, nominate them for our Feel Good Movement - https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Shawna Serniak is a community connector and one of our latest Feel Good Movement recipients! When spring cleaning began as people cleared out their closets, she made weekly runs to pick up donations and distribute the clothes to those who needed them most throughout Edmonton. Shawna also started a YouTube series called "Every Woman Empowered Canada" which entertains and informs audiences. With over 20 episodes, Shawna has interviewed people such as Tantoo Cardinal, Jamie Sale, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin! You can watch her interviews here: https://www.youtube.com/c/UC2h2BIXcuHb03DzKcCSgM8w/featured If you know someone like Shawna who is doing great things for the community, nominate them for part of our Feel Good Movement : https://srvs.media/3m4WKT (Pictured: Branch manager Lena (left) the green Servus gift bag to Shawna (right))

Did you know you can nominate local businesses as part of the Feel Good Movement? From your favourite bakery that is also helping to feed families in need to homebuilders running fundraisers for mental health, we want to hear about the small businesses that make you and your community feel good! They could be gifted with $1000 to put towards their cause! Nominate them here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Back to school is stressful at the best of times. If you know a student, teacher, or after-school group that is a leader in the community nominate them for our Feel Good Movement and they could be gifted with $1000! For more info and to share their story, visit our website: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Winter is coming but the Kikino Northern Lights Ski Club is helping out their community all year round. When the pandemic hit, youth leaders from the group worked with the local Métis community to help with school work and gather via video chat. They also worked with Spirit North to create workout videos and distributed mental health resources to every family at the school to make sure physical and mental health were taken care of. If there’s a great after-school group in your community, nominate them for our Feel Good Movement! Nominate your group here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Did you know that the Government of Canada will match RESP contributions? It’s true! Through the Canadian Education Savings Grant, they will match up to 20% of your yearly contribution nearly $500! It’s never too early or too late to start saving for future education so nominate someone for the Feel Good Movement and you could give their RESP a $1000 boost! Nominate them here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Meet one of our newest Feel Good Movement recipients, Bernadette! She’s an elementary teacher at a trauma-informed school in Sherwood Park who is going above and beyond to stay connected with her students. When COVID-19 forced learning to shift online, Bernadette went out of her way to make sure that all her students could still participate and be part of the virtual class and so that she could continue to support them. If you know an amazing teacher like Bernadette, nominate them to be part of our Feel Good Movement and they could be gifted with $1000 to put towards books, classroom supplies, and coffee! Tell us about them here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6

Education can be expensive, but we can help with our Servus Student Loans. Nominate a deserving post-secondary student and they could win $1000 towards their education! Tell us about them here: https://srvs.media/3m4WKT6