Banking for all at 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 were 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.  

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.

How to activate your enviro Visa card

When you are 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 vancity.com/microfinance or email us your questions at microfinance@vancity.com.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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For additional support related to fraud and scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.