Vancity’s 80th anniversary
80 years of change, and we’re just getting started.
Discover and celebrate the impact we’ve made together through activities and events in your community all year long.
Ways to celebrate with us.
Explore town with a Love on Local guide
To show our love for the communities we serve, staff across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island have hand-picked and curated their favourite local businesses for you to check out. Pick up a guide at any branch or get the map online.
Stay tuned for more
We’re giving members even more reason to celebrate. Keep an eye out for updates.
Building on 80 years of community-first banking.
Since 1946, Vancity has been a financial force for hope and change. What began on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations has grown into one of Canada’s largest credit unions, while staying true to our commitment to people, communities, and purpose.
Shared success
We reinvest 30% of profits back to the community every year. Since 1994, that’s $447 million back to members, and climate change, reconciliation, and affordable housing initiatives.
Championing inclusion
We’re the first financial institution to grant mortgages to women without a male co-signer (1961) and later the first to actively market to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (2002).
Pioneering green finance
We became the first carbon-neutral financial institution in North America (2008) and committed to reaching net-zero across all mortgages and loans by 2040.
Expanding community reach
Welcomed First Credit Union into the Vancity family, expanding local banking reach across British Columbia.
Vancity through the decades.
1940’s - 1960’s
1970’s - 1990’s
2000’s - 2020’s
1940’s - 1960’s
Vancity was founded in 1946 by fourteen motivated change-makers who felt shut out by banks that wouldn’t lend east of Cambie. Instead of waiting for change, they made their own place to bank.
1959
Vancity is the first financial institution in Canada to offer open mortgages.
1961
Vancity is the first financial institution in Canada to provide mortgages to women without a male co-signer. At the time, even if a woman had an income, banks deemed it too risky to provide any loans, let alone mortgages, to women.
1967
Vancity introduces Plan 24 - the first daily interest savings account in Canada which provides a fairer and more accurate way to pay and charge interest. The account model takes off helping credit unions prosper over the next decade.
1970’s - 1990’s
2000’s - 2020’s
Celebrate where community comes together.
Join us in celebrating local culture and connecting with our neighbours. These events are happening across the communities we serve.
