Ukrainian banking program
Welcome to Canada.
From all of us at Vancity, welcome to Canada. We stand with the Ukrainian people and strive to provide comfort and confidence as we help you find the best path forward for your financial wellbeing.
We are here for you.
We’re a values-based credit union built on principles of social justice and inclusion, so when the federal and BC governments reached out asking us to develop a provision strategy for those coming from Ukraine, we were here to answer the call.
Because together with our 500,000+ members, we’re continuously creating tailored services to support the banking needs of newcomers, refugees, and displaced people.
And 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 United Way.
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.
How we can help.
When you open an account with us, we can help you:
- Receive money from the government
- Deposit cheques and cash
- Use automated teller machines (ATMs), etc.
We can also provide other financial services including loans, mortgages, safe deposit boxes, and credit cards.
Let’s get you set up.
Vancity is a financial institution with over 75 years of history putting people first. We are here to help you with your financial needs and look forward to connecting with you. To open an account with us, you need to:
- Live in BC
- Be able to provide both primary and secondary identification:
Primary identification: a valid Ukraine passport, a Ukrainian National Identification Card, or a Single Journey document
Secondary identification: a Canadian visitor Visa, Canadian Visitor Record, and/or a IMM 1442B Canadian work permit - Contact us
By booking an appointment online
By phone at 604-877-7000 or toll-free at 1-888-826-2489
In-person at one of our 55+ branches across British Columbia
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 fee2
- 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
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, and Foreign Credential Program partners 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, email us.
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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. Explore the map below or visit our website to find a branch near you.
Helpful resources.
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).