Banking for all at Vancity.
We’re so glad to have you as a member. Let’s walk through some of the key features and safety recommendations associated with your chequing account, MEMBER CARD® debit card, and any other accounts you may open in future.
If you have questions or need further assistance, please call us at 604-877-7000 or toll-free at 1-888-826-2489 or visit us at your nearest Vancity branch.
About Vancity.
We’re a values-based credit union built on principles of social justice and inclusion, and together with our 500,000+ members, we’re continuously creating tailored services to support the banking needs of newcomers, refugees, and displaced people.
For the past 20 years, we’ve been recognizing and creating opportunities to support the financial wellbeing of newcomers to Canada, in part due to our longstanding relationship with local settlement agencies.
In 2015, we launched the Vancity Humanitarian Fund in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and to support the Canadian government in welcoming more people to our communities. Most recently, $50,000 was donated towards Ukrainian Aid.
As a member of our credit union, you’re an owner of Vancity.
Members get a share of profits, enjoy access to flexible accounts and products, benefit from free financial planning and advice, and much more.
Chequing accounts.
Your chequing account features.
Just by opening an account with us, you have access to:
- enviro™ Visa** credit card ($1000 credit limit)*
- A MEMBER CARD debit card (otherwise known as an ATM card)
- 40 Free Everyday Transactions¹ per month
- No surcharge or network fees at ATMs displaying THE EXCHANGE® or ACCULINK® logos in Canada, and abroad, ATMS displaying ACCEL® and Cirrus® logos are also usable with a fee 2
- Free Interac e-Transfer® transactions
- Free cheque orders of 50 Vancity personalized cheques
- Free official cheques (also known as bank drafts or money orders)
- Free US dollar drafts
- $5 off safe deposit box charges
Using your chequing account.
You can use your chequing account to:
Send and receive funds
- Deposit cheques and cash
- Write cheques
- Use automated teller machines (ATMs)
- Receive funds through direct deposit
- Automatically pay bills
- Make purchases using your MEMBER CARD debit card
Access other services
- Loans and mortgages
- Safe deposit boxes (secure boxes where you can place valuables for safekeeping)
- enviro Visa credit card services
- Wire transfers
Using your MEMBER CARD debit card.
As a member, you will receive a MEMBER CARD debit card, otherwise known as an ATM card. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you prevent fraud and manage your card.
Using a credit card in Canada.
Whether you choose a Vancity enviro Visa credit card or another option from a different financial institution, the following tips might be helpful.
- Spend within your limit
Always keep part of your credit available for emergencies. - Try to pay off your balance in full
By the due date mentioned on your credit card statement to avoid paying interest. The longer you wait to pay off your full balance, the more interest you’ll have to pay. - Avoid missing your minimum monthly payments
Missing one or two of your monthly payment due dates, even if you pay off the balance in full months later, will have a negative impact on your credit rating. - Make more than the minimum payment
This will help you pay off your balance more quickly and avoid paying more interest. - Prioritize your MEMBER CARD debit card when taking out cash at an ATM
If you choose to use your credit card at an ATM instead, you’ll pay interest from the date of your cash advance until you pay back the amount in full.
Accessing our Microfinance Loans.
When you’re ready to start working or if you want to open a business, our Microfinance team, Small Business Advisors are here to support you on your journey.
These loan programs look at your skills, education, experience, and the network and community that surround you to make the decision. To learn more, visit or email us your questions at microfinance@vancity.com.
Preventing fraud.
Fraud (or scams) occurs when someone seeks out your personal information to make money at your expense. It’s important to be aware of the most common types of fraud and what you can do to protect yourself.
Some of the most common types of fraud occur by phone, text message, or email. In order to protect yourself:
Remember:
- Emails or phone calls from Vancity will never ask for your personal information, since we already have it.
- Never share your multi-factor authentication one-time password with anyone. Vancity staff will never ask for it.
- Protect all your personal documents, including bank and credit card statements.
- Use anti-virus and malware protection.
- Immediately report missing bank or credit card statements.
- Keep your Personal Identification Number and personal codes secure.
Be careful of:
- Incoming phone calls, text messages, or emails that include unsolicited investment opportunities, advice on investing, a request for payment, or a general sense of urgency.
- Incoming phone calls or text messages claiming to be an employee of the Canada Revenue Agency or Service Canada, asking for personal information or demanding immediate payment for an amount owing.
- Emails or text messages that include suspicious text, links, or pop-ups.
- Incoming phone calls, text messages, or emails that attempt to disguise themselves as a legitimate organization. Many will do this by spelling the organization’s name incorrectly or attempting to copy a legitimate logo.
For additional support related to fraud and scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 .
Frequently asked questions.
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Open an account online.
Members can open non-registered term deposits through digital banking.
Talk to a pro.
Call us at 604-877-7000 or toll-free at 1-888-826-2489
Visit us in person.
You’re welcome at any of our 55+ branches across BC.
Helpful resources.
Thank you for becoming a member.
Vancity is a financial institution that focuses on putting people first. For over 75 years, we’ve offered financial products and expert advice that help with current and future challenges. As Canada’s largest credit union, we lead with our values to help with real-life needs, including yours. Welcome to Vancity; we’re here for you.
Trademark of Visa Int., used under license
enviro is a trademark of Vancity
® MEMBER CARD Design are registered certification marks owned by Canadian Credit Union Association; Interac, the Interac logo and Interac® Flash are trademarks of Interac Inc; ®THE EXCHANGE & Design and ®ACCEL & Design are registered trademarks licensed for use in Canada by FICANEX Services Limited Partnership; ®ACCULINK & Design is a registered trademark owned by Canadian Credit Union Association; ®Cirrus is a registered trademark owned by Mastercard International Inc., used with permission.
® Allpoint is a registered trademark owned by Cardtronics plc and its subsidiaries.
Everyday transactions are all of these:
- Everyday Cheque and Preauthorized Payment Transactions are cheque transactions and preauthorized payments (PADs) from Vancity Accounts.
- Everyday Online and Mobile Transactions are bill payments, cheque deposit using Vancity Mobile Deposit™, transfers from Vancity Accounts made online using a computer, mobile phone, Mobile Device or using Vancity’s automated Telephone Banking service.
- Everyday In-Person Transactions are Account withdrawals, bill payments, transfers to or from Vancity Accounts conducted person-to-person, over the phone with our branch staff or Member Service Centre staff.
- Everyday Debit Card Transactions are debit card purchases or ATM cash withdrawals or ATM transfers from Accounts.
Everyday Transaction fees are calculated and charged at month end for Vancity’s chequing and savings products, with the exception of Jumpstart High Interest where the fees are incurred immediately when the transaction is made. Overdraft interest, not covered by a Creditline line of credit or a Persona line line of credit, accrues immediately and will be calculated and payable at month end.
Additional Vancity and third-party fees will apply for services not classified as Everyday Transactions and, in certain circumstances, include fees for: a) ATM network fees if you use any Canadian ATM that is not an EXCHANGE® ATM or ACCULINK® ATM. b) ATM network fees if you use a US/international ATM. c) Interac ® e-Transfers that are subject to a fee. d)Fees for additional services that you choose from Vancity.
You may also be charged third-party fees, including: e) A surcharge (convenience fee, and/or a foreign exchange conversion fee) by the ATM or POS operator and all associated networks engaged for the ATM or POS Transactions. f) Merchant fees when you use your debit card to pay for purchases. g) Fees charged by your mobile phone service provider; please request details from your service provider.
View fee schedule. Fees are subject to change.
® Trademark of Interac Inc. Used under license.
Vancity is a BC Financial Services Authority authorized credit union and is covered by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (CUDIC).