Sep 27: Save-On-Foods and Vancity Credit Union Join Forces

(Langley, BC, September 27, 2004): Western Canada's leading grocery retailer and Canada’s largest credit union announced this week that they are teaming up to offer even more value for customers across British Columbia. Starting today, the Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) and Vancity Credit Union are offering customers the Save-On-More VISA, an affinity card being launched this month at Save- On-Foods and Overwaitea Foods locations throughout the province.

Over the years, Save-On-More, a customer rewards program exclusive to OFG, has become one of the most popular programs in the grocery industry. With each purchase, customers can accumulate points that can be redeemed for a wide selection of valuable merchandise, including air travel. With the launch of the new Save-On-More Visa, customers can earn these rewards even faster, earning 2 points per dollar spent at any VISA merchant.

“Since we launched our loyalty program in 1995, our company has been committed to finding creative ways to reward our customers for shopping with us,” says Steve van der Leest, President of the Overwaitea Food Group. “With our Save-On-More card, our guiding principle is: “Free is Free”, meaning there are no hidden costs with any of our reward items. And with the no-fee Vancity Save- On-More Visa, this is certainly the case.

For Vancity and OFG, the partnership is a natural fit: both organizations are local success stories, both are rich in Vancouver colour and history, and both have solid track records for community and environmental works. And both companies are committed to finding ways to add value to their customers’ experiences.

“We are really excited about this new program. Here you have two Western-based organizations with shared values working together to bring their customers and members great value. We believe this is one of the best loyalty programs around and we think our cardholders will agree,” says Rolf Baumbusch, Vice President, Vancity VISA.

The Overwaitea Food Group has been serving the lower mainland since its first store opened in 1915 in New Westminster, when owner R.C. Kidd became known for his commitment to value by selling 18 ounces of tea for the price of a pound. Today, the company operates 103 stores with 14,000 team members across BC and Alberta.

Vancity is Canada’s largest credit union, with $9.3 billion in assets, 305,000 members, and 41 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria. Vancity was chosen as the best place to work in Canada for 2005 by Maclean’s Magazine as part of its annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers issue. Vancity owns Citizens Bank of Canada, serving members across the country by telephone, ATM, and the Internet. Both Vancity and Citizens Bank are guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.