Fall 2015

Building Community.
One Member at a time.
Financial
Planning
Our Financial Planning Solutions
Team is breaking records. Learn
how we can help you with your
financial plan.
Page 5
The Results
are in!
Our member feedback survey results
are in! Find out what we’re doing with
this information.
Page 6
TEAM WESTOBA
hits the fields around Belmont to give
away treats to hard working farmers.
Here they are at Vrooman Farms.
Happy Harvest!
See more Westoba Wonders on page 4.
This is your newsletter and we want to know what you think. Send your
comments and story suggestions to [email protected].
Westoba
Wheat Kings
Jr. Reporters
We’re looking for our FIRST Westoba
Wheat Kings Jr. Reporters. Page 3
FALL 2015
Reward
Yourself!
Reward yourself with our
CHOICE REWARDS® MasterCard®.
Who wouldn’t enjoy being rewarded for their regular
spending?! With our CHOICE REWARDS® MasterCard®
credit cards you add value to your everyday expenses. With
everyday spending, the points you accumulate add up fast and
you can: treat yourself to brand name merchandise; travel the
world; make charity donations; and more!
Look at the savings!
Low Fee CHOICE REWARDS®
MasterCard® – spend $200.00 a month for a
year = 2,400 points = $24.00 towards groceries!
Gold CHOICE REWARDS® MasterCard® –
spend $1,000.00 a month for a year = 12,000
points = $120.00 in travel money!
CHOICE REWARDS® World Elite®
MasterCard® – spend $650.00 a month for a
year = 15,600 points = 156.00 to treat yourself
to a new toy!
Which card is right for you?
Travelandinsurancebenefits,doublethepoints,nofees,
student perks… each credit card is different and offers
differentfeatures.Steponetorewardingyourselfisfinding
out what credit card best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Our knowledgeable staff is here to talk to you about your
spendingstyleandhelpyoufindthebestmatch.
People Helping People
put into Action!
Westoba Credit Union is
putting this year’s International
Credit Union Day theme, People
Helping People, into action by
giving back to the communities
we serve. On International
Credit Union Day, Thursday,
October 15th, members will
have a chance to win a cash
donation towards their charity
of choice.
We know our members
generously give time, energy
and money to support their
communities in different ways.
You are all examples of People
Helping People. To say thanks for
all you do, we are giving away
Westoba Wonders Coupons,
redeemable for charitable cash
donations of $250.
How do Westoba
Wonders Coupons work?
On International Credit Union
Day, Thursday, October 15th,
members can apply for the
coupon in-branch or online at
westoba.com.
Members must complete the
Westoba Wonders Coupon
Application Form and provide
the following information:
• Contact information,
including:firstandlastnames,
phone number
and email.
• Organizations they helped in
2015(i.e.organization/charity
name, community events,
etc.).
• Charity they would like the
coupon to go towards.
On Monday, October 19th, all
submitted applications will be
placed in a random draw. Five
winners will be drawn who will
see their charity of choice get
a Westoba Wonders Coupon
valued at $250!
For more information on
Westoba Wonders Coupons,
visit westoba.com or call
1-877-WESTOBA.
Now’s the time!
Right now until November 30th, MasterCard® is offering their
Double Takes Fall Campaign. Members who are approved for
a new CHOICE REWARDS® MasterCard® credit card will
receive double the bonus points just for signing up!
Reward yourself! Let’s talk at 1-877-WESTOBA or westoba.com.
Get ready for
a DOUBLE Take!
You’ll receive DOUBLE bonus points when you apply and
are approved for an eligible CHOICE REWARDS® MasterCard®
credit card. Conditions apply. Offer ends November 30, 2015.
YOU’VE HELPED OTHERS,
NOW IT’S
OUR TURN!
Ask us about our Westoba Wonders
coupon available International Credit
Union Day on Thursday, October 15th.
westoba.com
1-877-WESTOBA
westoba.com | 1-877-WESTOBA
2
Scholarship
Thank You
Every year, we give away over $5,000 in scholarships
to Manitoba students! We think it’s a great way to
support our communities and the people in it. We’re
wishing our scholarship recipients and everyone else all
the best in the school year. Check out the kind words
from our Brandon University Business Administration
scholarship recipient.
YOUR KID COULD BE THE FIRST
WESTOBA WHEAT KINGS
JR. REPORTER
Visit westoba.com
for all contest details.
Attention all
Wheat Kings Fans!
We want to give some talented hockey-loving
kids a chance to get a bit closer to the action.
This year, we’re sponsoring
Westoba Wheat Kings Jr. Reporters.
Do you know someone between the ages of five and 12 who loves
hockey and would make an excellent reporter? With your help, submit
a video of their interviewing skills, showing us why they are the next
Westoba Wheat Kings Jr. Reporter! They have a chance to win one of
two Jr. Reporter titles and an opportunity to interview the home team!
Contest runs from September 14th – October 17th.
Visit westoba.com for all the details!
New Banking System!
We want to thank you for your patience over the past few months. You helped us
break in our new toy, and things might have taken us a wee bit longer than usual.
There are lots of new features to help us better serve you, our member. Our new
banking system will allow us to offer more enhanced online services like e-transfers,
remote deposit capture, a mobile app and more – we can’t wait!
Our TeleService Team helped lots of members set up online banking and answered
questions about the changes. A common question we received was about the new
online banking Personal Access Code (PAC) requirements and security. Your PAC
has changed to between four and seven digits only and we want to assure you that
your online banking is secure as ever. The two phase login process and increased
authentication question ensures it’s you logging in and helps protect your account
information. If you are interested in going one step further with online security, we
offer Direct Alerts that notify you by email or text when your account is logged into. For more information on Direct Alerts or
if you have any questions on security, reach out to us at westoba.com or call 1-877-WESTOBA.
3
We’re spreading sunshine through acts
of wonderfulness. Check out Facebook
to see how we’re making people smile!
The Pas Team gree
ted parents,
kids and teachers
back to
school with banana
bread and
Tim Hortons coffe
e.
Cindy and Trudy had a blast
handing out #WestobaWonders
swag at the Glenboro Fair.
es
d Brandon branch
Our TeleService an
at
ies
od
go
t
ou
nded
teamed up and ha
rk.
and at the Skate Pa
rk
Pa
e
th
in
ic
Mus
Our Board and VP
Team surprised
people with cold tre
ats at The
Rotary Club of Br
andon BBQ this
summer!
Our Souris Westoba min
is, Jayla and
Racheal were delighting
residents at
VictoriaParkLodgewith
flowers!
caught up
Our Carberry Team
alo
s ng main
with the businesse
them to
d
street and treate
cookies!
were sure excited
The day camp kids
ourSwanLake/
forpopsicleswhen
pped by!
Bruxelles Team po
“Today is the best
day ever, because we
’re
getting ice cream!”
Stacey and Joyce ma
de
Rock Lake Funtim
e Daycare’s day as
they
treated kids (and ad
ults) to ice cream
cups!
Over the summer months, Team Westoba completed random acts of wonderfulness
or “Westoba Wonders” and put smiles on faces across Manitoba!
Stay tuned for Winter Westoba Wonders.
4
Building Community
ONE BBQ AT A TIME
September 12th marked the
annual rematch between the
Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the
Saskatchewan Roughriders after the
Labour Day Classic….The Banjo Bowl.
To celebrate this infamous game, Westoba held a
community charity BBQ at our Pembina Hwy branch
in Winnipeg, which is perfectly located just steps from
Investors Group Field!
That afternoon, Westoba staff hosted members
and the community-at-large in support of KidSport
Manitoba. Kim Browning, Director of Marketing for
Kidsport Manitoba attended and was pleased that we
chose their organization “It really just makes sense.
Westoba is all over Manitoba, and the funds raised are
used to support children everywhere,” says Browning.
“Thismeansfiveorsixmorekidscanplayasportthis
year, and for that we are truly grateful.”
The event raised over $500 and was enjoyed by staff,
members and football fans.
Our Financial Planning
Solutions Team
Meet our Financial Planning Solutions Team.
We have a new name that better fits who
we are and what we do. Financial planning is
about listening to your needs and providing
advice and solutions to fit your specific
situation. Whatever life stage you’re at, there
is value in having a financial plan. It’s about
finding the right solutions to set you up for
long-term success. This is what we do!
We have an experienced team of financial
planners ready to work for you. Joanne
Conan, Senior Financial Planner for Brandon
and area, continually receives recognition
provincially and nationally amongst credit
unions in growing member assets. People
trust her and the sound advice she provides.
Tara Chisholm, a Financial Planner based in
our 10th Street branch in Brandon, is also
receiving provincial recognition for her work
with members.
Take advantage of our experience and
expertise. Let’s talk about your financial
plan! Make an appointment by
calling 1-877-WESTOBA or emailing
[email protected].
Meetour
FinancialPlanning
SolutionsTeam.
“Iputthemembers
needsfirst.”
ShawnaWilkins,
Financial Planner
431-234-3295|[email protected]
“Itsnotwhatyoumake,
it’swhatyoukeepthat
helpsmakefinancial
dreamsbecomereality.”
JoanneConan,
Senior Financial Planner
204-729-2068 |[email protected]
“Ienjoyhelping
membersmeettheir
financialgoals.”
MarilynSturgeon,
Financial Planner
204-729-2089|[email protected]
“Ienjoyhelpingpeople
andthat’swhatwe’rein
thebusinessofdoing.”
BrianBoes,AVP Wealth
and Insurance Solutions
204-571-2936 |[email protected]
“Investingforyourfuture
doesn’thavetobehard,
I’mheretohelp.”
TaraChisholm,
Financial Planner
204-729-2681|[email protected]
We’re mobile and will meet wherever you like.
We believe in making the process as simple as possible.
Building Community.
One Financial Plan at a time.
westoba.com | 1-877-WESTOBA
[email protected]
5
What we heard
from you, our members…
This spring, we asked you to tell us how we’re doing in our Member
Feedback Survey. We had almost 1,500 members take part and we’re
grateful to each and every one of you! To follow are some highlights:
• ThemajorityofWestobamembersaresatisfiedwithour
products and services.
• You think we’re doing a great job at protecting your privacy.
• Things we need to work on are online services and explaining
our products and services better.
• You think that our products and services and the same or
betterthanthoseofferedbyotherfinancialinstitutions.
•Mostofyoudonothaveafinancialadvisor/planner.Whenasked
why, the most popular reason was “No need”.
• When you think about Westoba, the most common thing that
cametomembers’mindswasgood/friendlyservice!
• Roughly 70 per cent of members are proud to be part of
Westoba’s credit union community.
• You think that the single most important thing Westoba should
do in the future to stay one of Manitoba’s strongest credit
unionsistokeepqualitystaff/customerservice.
What are we doing
with this information?
Your opinion matters to us. Our credit union is only as strong as
our members are happy.Your feedback is being used in our business
planning process. For example, it came across loud and clear that
we need to do a better job in the area of technology. With our new
banking system, we will be able to offer enhanced online services
like e-transfers (coming in early 2016), a mobile app and more! This
spring we launched a new website and feedback received so far has
been positive. This is great to hear but it doesn’t mean that we’ve
stopped looking at ways to make it better. This summer we launched
online chat and we’re always working on more interactive options to
make dealing with us more convenient.
In the area of Financial Planning, we see a need to help members
understandthebenefitsofplanningforthefuture.Thereisa
misconception that unless you have pockets full of extra cash,
there is no value in getting a Financial Plan when in fact, a Financial
Patti McEvoy
MANAGER OF MEMBER
SOLUTIONS, BRANDON
Raeanna Vincent
TELESERVICE REPRESENTATIVE,
BRANDON
Softball for Life
Building of the
Ashley Neufeld
Complex is
underway! The
development of a
multi-field baseball
diamond is a huge
enhancement for
Brandon and area. The purpose of this project is to create
infrastructure for low cost and accessible opportunities for
children and adults to be more physically active. Westoba
believes in building strong communities and that is what the
project is all about. We are excited to get behind it and we’ve
committed $3,000 over the next two years in support. We
understand how sports pull a community together. There
is nothing like sitting amongst neighbors, friends and family
cheering on the home team!
Enhanced Online Options
for Business Members
MemberDirect for Small Business
COMING SOON!
Westoba is working hard to make things easier for
our members. This fall, we are excited to be launching
MemberDirect for Small Business. It’s an online banking
service package designed to better meet the accounting
needs of our business, commercial and organization members.
Features include consolidating accounts, authorizing users to
view or initiate transactions and automated dual signature
approval. Stay tuned for more details!
Plan works with what you have now so that you can build up your
pockets of cash down the line! Over the coming months, you will
see more information about our experienced Financial Planning
SolutionsTeamandhowtheycanhelpyoureachyourfinancialgoals.
We always encourage getting feedback from members. If you ever
want to connect with us, please do. Call 1-877-WESTOBA or
email [email protected].
We’ve reached that
point in our relationship…
Let’s take the next step
and EXCHANGE EMAILS!
westoba.com
1-877-WESTOBA
Contact Us • TeleService Representatives available: Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm • Saturday 8 am to 4 pm • westoba.com • 1-877-WESTOBA