Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, is based in

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. Since 1951, Island Savings has served communities on

Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest by ...

and

Gulf Islands The Gulf Islands are a group of islands in the Salish Sea between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia. Etymology The name "Gulf Islands" comes from "Gulf of Georgia," the original term used by George Vancouver in his ...

. In 2013, Island Savings entered into discussions with B.C.-based First West Credit Union. In November 2014, members Island Savings voted in favour of the merger proposal, and on Jan. 1, 2015, Island Savings joined First West's network. The First West brand network also includes Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial. First West Credit Union has $14 billion in total assets and assets under management, approximately 1,250 employees and more than 250,000 members. The credit union is the third largest in B.C. and the fifth largest in Canada. Its divisions—Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial—operate under their existing brand names in their respective markets.

About Island Savings

Island Savings has 13 branches in Duncan,

Chemainus Chemainus is a community within the municipality of North Cowichan in the Chemainus Valley on the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Founded as an unincorporated logging town in 1858, Chemainus is now famou ...

, Brentwood,

Lake Cowichan Lake Cowichan ( Nitinaht: ʕaʔk̓ʷaq c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣) (pop. 2,974) is a town located on the east end of Cowichan Lake and, by highway, is west of Duncan, British Columbia. The town of Lake Cowichan was incorporated in 1944. The Cowichan R ...

, Mill Bay, Nanaimo,

Pender Island Pender Island ( Saanich: ) is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,250 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal popula ...

Saltspring Island Salt Spring Island or Saltspring Island is one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia, Canada, and Vancouver Island. The island was initially inhabited by various Salishan peoples before being settled b ...

, and

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. Its administration centre is located in Duncan.

Community investment

Island Savings is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of local families. The Growing Island Families Together (GIFT) program provides leadership, sponsorship, financial, and in-kind support to community groups. Each Island Savings branch accepts GIFT applications
from local groups and organizations with initiatives that help to improve families’ quality of life and build strong communities. In 2014, Island Savings established a $2 million Island Savings community endowment through the First West Foundation. Island Savings has partnered with such organizations as the BC Cancer Foundation's Inspire the World Campaign, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Victoria, Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Success by Six, and the Victoria Foundation.

Membership

Island Savings is a division of First West Credit Union which is a member of Central 1 Credit Union and is registered with the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of BC.

External links

Island Savings official site

References

{{Canadian banks First West Credit Union Banks established in 1951 Duncan, British Columbia 1951 establishments in British Columbia