March 15, 2007

Assiniboine Credit Union scored the business version of a hat trick last night when it received its third award this year for being an outstanding employer.

The Human Resources Management Association of Manitoba honoured the 525 employee financial institution with its highest honour – the gold award for Excellence in Leadership – at its annual awards dinner attended by the who’s who of Manitoba’s business community.

ACU was singled out for the leadership and care it showed when dealing with a complex business merger between Assiniboine, Astra and Vantis credit unions over the past year –- a massive change that could have created uncertainty for employees and members. But instead, the credit union developed a textbook case on “how to manage a merger”. Using a well thought out change-management process, in-depth communication tools and an organizational plan it engaged staff at every level and created comfort and even excitement about the merger.

“Bringing together three organizations is no small task and merging three cultures is even bigger. It took, and continues to take careful planning and careful thought. It’s a team effort in every way,” ACU President Al Morin said after receiving the award.

The proposed merger was first unveiled in June 2006 and the members of the three credit unions overwhelming approved the merger in September 2006. January 1, 2007 the credit unions officially merged under the new entity Assiniboine Credit Union.

This year, for the second time, ACU was named one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada and honoured as one of the Top 10 Employers in Manitoba. The Excellence in Leadership Award is the third significant acknowledgement this year.

Morin was also the Keynote Speaker at the gala event, speaking to the evolution of Assiniboine Credit Union as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.