We believe that strong and vibrant communities are good for people and good for business. We contribute to the community through the financial services we provide, the purchasing decisions we make, and the dollars we put back into the communities we serve.

Each year, we invest a minimum of 2% of our pre-tax earnings (averaged over three years) in the community through our new Sustainable Community Grants program. It supports projects and programs that help to make our communities inclusive, environmentally sustainable and economically self-reliant.

In addition, we support a variety of community events through our Community Sponsorship program.

But it’s about more than money. We share our financial skills, expertise and resources as a financial services provider to make a difference. As well, we support and encourage employee involvement in our community.

Through our branch network and Community Financial Centre (CFC), we offer financial services that add value to the community – including our special Community Builder and High Rate Savings accounts for non-profit organizations.

CFC provides financing for small and micro-enterprises, co-operatives and non-profit organizations, and works with partners to provide access to credit for small businesses and entrepreneurs overlooked by traditional financial institutions. For Example, we partner with the Jubilee Fund to provide credit to business, community, and housing projects that do not qualify for traditional financing.

CFC helps to finance a variety of community-owned buildings such as cultural centres and daycares. Through innovative partnerships, we’re also helping to make affordable shelter and home ownership a reality for more people. Our relationships with partners in the housing sector contribute to neighbourhood renewal through the development of housing for students, seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities and low-income families in distressed communities. One of them is Martha Abalo who, after living a nightmare in a refugee camp, is now living her dream of owning her own home.