NEWS & STORIES

media release

B.C. households cutting back on groceries and essentials as cost-of-living crisis worsens: new survey

A new province-wide survey commissioned by Tru Cooperative Bank reveals that nearly half of British Columbians are cutting back on groceries and other essential household spending as affordability pressures intensify, underscoring the need for stronger action to address cost-of-living challenges across the province.

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June 23, 2026- B.C. households cutting back on groceries and essentials as cost-of-living crisis worsens: new survey
May 13, 2026- Sam Varing named national winner of CCUA Young Leaders Award
May 4, 2026- Tru Cooperative Bank expands Mortgage Broker Centre into Ontario through MCAP partnership
April 1, 2026- First West becomes a federal credit union and officially launches as Tru Cooperative Bank
February 18, 2026 - First West Credit Union recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers for 2026
January 22, 2026 - Members vote yes to change First West Credit Union’s name
December 19, 2025 - Community rallies as Envision Financial contributes $50,000 to support flood victims and recovery efforts
November 20, 2025 - First West Credit Union closed its $200 million senior deposit note offering with a final order book of $1.07 Billion
September 4, 2025 - First West Credit Union Honored with Black Women Business Network Partnership Award for Leading Equity Initiatives in Finance Sector
July 24, 2025 - First West Foundation reaches historic 12% disbursement rate with $2,278,326 in grants
July 15, 2025 - Caspian One Open Data and First West partner to roll out the Interac^® verification service
July 4, 2025 - First West Credit Union releases inaugural Impact Report demonstrating community leadership and social impact
June 26, 2025 - First West Foundation leader Susan Byrom receives prestigious King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for outstanding community impact
May 9, 2025 - Former First West board member receives distinguished service award
May 8, 2025 - Survey: Small businesses in B.C. remain financially confident in the face of U.S. tariffs
May 7, 2025 - First West hires 26 student interns across Canada despite high youth unemployment
May 6, 2025 - First West combats hunger with $100,000 donation to Food Banks BC
April 15, 2025 - First West Credit Union closed a $150 million senior deposit note offering with a final order book of $615 million
February 5, 2025 - Equity deserving charities given $189,294 boost
January 23, 2025 - First West recognized for its commitment to mental health
January 16, 2025 - VeriPark Partners with leading Canadian financial institutions coalition to redefine digital banking
November 14, 2024 - First West addresses housing crisis through $250,000 community bond investment into sustainable co-operative housing development
October 3, 2024 - First West and BC Cancer Foundation continue partnership to showcase ‘Life Beyond Cancer’
June 21, 2024 - First West Foundation helps communities flourish through $684,700 in grants
April 26, 2024 - First West executive receives national recognition for her work in the people and culture space
March 21, 2024 - Caspian One Open Banking partners with First West, Prospera, Meridian, Affinity and Libro to deliver the credit union system open banking solution
February 22, 2024 - First West Credit Union named as one of BC’s Top Employers
February 21, 2024 - Morningstar DBRS confirmed the Long-Term Issuer Rating on First West Credit Union at BBB (high) with a Stable trend again in 2023
November 24, 2023 - First West Credit Union wins “Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture” award
November 1, 2023 - First West wins prestigious award recognizing exceptional mental health in the workplace
September 14, 2023 - Longtime Fraser Valley resident Tamara Hendsbee appointed president of Envision Financial
September 14, 2023 - New leader for Valley First as Simon Mills takes the helm
August 21, 2023 - First West donates $35,000 to support wildfire victims and immediate relief efforts
July 20, 2023 - First West ranks among top 3% of Morningstar Sustainalytics’ global rated companies in managing ESG risks
January 25, 2023 - DBRS Morningstar confirms rating on First West Credit Union at BBB (high), Stable trend
December 20, 2022 - First West Credit Union successfully closes $150 million, 2-year senior deposit notes offering
September 28, 2022 - First West Credit Union Commits to Innovation in Indigenous Employment
August 30, 2022 - First West Credit Union signs the UN Principles for Responsible Banking
August 11, 2022 - First West aims to create positive change for members, communities, and planet with improved ESG rating
July 20, 2022 - Record-setting $1,078,983 invested into the community through First West Foundation
February 4, 2022 - First West Credit Union and the BC Cancer Foundation look to change cancer outcomes together
January 3, 2022 - First West remembers friend and former credit union leader Peter Podovinikoff
December 13, 2021 - Sustainability and ethics analyses shine spotlight on First West
December 1, 2021 - Members vote yes to First West becoming a federal credit union
November 10, 2021 - DBRS Morningstar confirms First West Credit Union at BBB (high) rating, stable trend again in 2021
March 30, 2021 - First West announces $50,000 donation to Food Banks BC
January 27, 2021 - First West Foundation celebrates 25 years of helping communities thrive
August 25, 2020 - DBRS Morningstar confirms First West Credit Union at BBB (high) rating, stable trend again in 2020
July 9, 2020 - First West Foundation grants $732,737 to local charities, adding to historic year of giving
May 22, 2020 - First West Foundation launches $600,000 community response fund to help local B.C. charities in need
May 6, 2020 - First West reports strong 2019 results, key growth in deposits and assets
November 13, 2019 - DBRS Morningstar confirms R-1 (low) short term rating and bbb-high-long-term-rating-to-first-west-credit-union
September 30, 2019 - First West Credit Union contributes more than $3 million in fight against hunger
August 22, 2019 - Westland Insurance acquires First West Insurance Services
April 16, 2019 - Growth and stability the key themes for First West Credit Union in 2018
March 8, 2019 - First West Credit Union leaders recognized as two of B.C.’s Most Influential Women in Finance in 2019
December 18, 2018 - DBRS confirms BBB (high) Long-term Issuer Rating to First West Credit Union
October 18, 2018 - DBRS confirms R-1 (low) Short-term Rating to First West Credit Union
July 25, 2018 - First West Credit Union celebrates $10 billion in assets
June 25, 2018 - First West breaks ground on new regional office building in Langley
May 4, 2018 - First West Credit Union recognized nationally for people-first philosophy
April 17, 2018 - Another year of record member growth caps off a strong 2017 for First West Credit Union
June 29, 2017 - First West marks Canada 150 with a $150,000 gift to local communities
April 6, 2017 - First West Credit Union reports banner year for deposit and loan growth in 2016
January 25, 2017 - DBRS Assigns R-1 (low) Short-term Rating to First West Credit Union

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