March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020 | Calgary, AB – Effective
immediately, Connect First Credit Union (Connect First) will be Alberta’s first
financial institution doing banking differently across all branches by offering
a full-service delivery model for its members with access through its digital
channels from the comfort of their own home. In person branch visits will be made
available by appointment only.
“Our main priority is the health, safety and well-being of our employees,
our members and the communities we serve,” says Paul Kelly, Chief Executive
Officer of Connect First. “We will continue to offer full banking services for
our members but in a different way reflecting the risks of our current
environment. To reduce the potential for the transmission of COVID-19 to our
employees and members, public
access to our branches will be limited. Our branch employees will continue to service
our members through email and phone, and will take appointments for
transactions that need to be fulfilled in person.”
This
announcement is consistent with the proactive approach Connect First has taken
as the crisis evolves. Connect First was the first financial institution in Alberta
to introduce a payment relief program, the most flexible in the market. This three-month
deferral is for all types of
term loans and mortgages, and almost all of their members can access the
program, including Commercial, Agriculture, Small Business and Retail members.
“As an Alberta
based credit union, we have the unique opportunity to make quick and responsive
decisions that are best for our members and employees’ health and safety,”
Kelly added. “This new full service delivery
model allows us to guide our members through this
challenging time while providing essential services with the personal, caring support they have to come expect from their credit union.”
Members can rest assured that their deposits
are absolutely safe with Connect First. All deposits, without limit, are 100% guaranteed
by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee
Corporation.
Members can contact us by calling their local branch between Monday
and Friday, Contact Centre or reaching out online.
About Connect
First Credit Union
Connect First Credit
Union one of the largest and most successful credit unions in Canada,
is a full-service financial institution with over $6 billion in assets under
administration. Connect First
employs 750 Albertans who provide a range of financial products and advice in
more than 40 communities across central and southern Alberta. It serves 128,000
members through its trusted local brands of First Calgary Financial, Chinook
Financial, Mountain View Financial and Legacy Financial and a community-focused
approach to banking.
-30-
Media Contact:
Teri
Buckley
Director,
Corporate Communications
tbuckley@connectfirstcu.com
403-605-3735