Filed for publication with the Mirror
Board of Trustees Coastal Community Credit Union
The news report that you are planning to close small island branches in Alert Bay, Sointula, Cortes Island defies belief especially when reading the statement, quoted below, on our website.
"Growing with Our Island Communities
Serving island communities for over 60 years, Coastal Community Credit Union has grown to be the largest Credit Union based on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. With more than 80,000 members, 650-plus employees, and over $2 billion in assets under administration…We are one of Canada's 50 Best Employers, and we are passionate about building stronger relationships with our members, clients, employees and communities to improve financial health, enrich people's lives and build healthier communities."
My concept of Credit Unions is that we provide banking services where commercial banks won't. With $2 billion in assets we should be prepared to provide service in these communities as part of a contract in a civil society.
In Alberta many years ago the conservative Social Credit premier Ernest Manning established the Alberta Treasury Branches to provide banking for communities ignored by the big banks. I suggest that we follow his public spirited example and not withdraw these services.
Put this matter to a vote at an annual meeting to gauge the strength of our commitment to those who live in isolation.
Joy Johnston
Comox