Email us at mediarelations@trucooperativebank.ca
media release
Nearly half of B.C. households saving less as financial resilience erodes: new survey
As British Columbians continue to navigate a prolonged cost-of-living crisis, new research reveals a deeper, emerging challenge: the erosion of financial resilience. While many households are still managing day-to-day expenses, their ability to save and prepare for the future is steadily declining.
Read media releases from Tru Cooperative Bank
View all media releases
- September 8, 2026- Nearly half of B.C. households saving less as financial resilience erodes: new survey
- September 2, 2026- Tru Charitable Foundation grants $1.3 million to support communities across British Columbia
- August 27, 2026- Survey: 80% of British Columbians say financial institutions should advocate for consumers' financial well-being
- August 20, 2026- IDC recognizes Tru Cooperative Bank with National CIO Award for advancing collaborative innovation in Canadian banking
- August 13, 2026- Tru Cooperative Bank commits $57,500 to support B.C. wildfire relief and recovery efforts
- August 5, 2026- First West Foundation becomes Tru Charitable Foundation
- July 27, 2026- Tru Cooperative Bank exceeds $100 million in approved mortgage volume following Ontario broker launch
- 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
people stories
Sam Varing named national winner of CCUA Young Leaders Award
In her role at Tru Cooperative Bank, Sam provides strategic legal advice on complex, organization‑wide initiatives, ensuring that innovation and modernization remain aligned with member needs and cooperative values.
Real stories from the people that shape Tru Cooperative Bank
View all stories
- Kabir stewards the evolution of workplace accessibility
- Sofia and colleagues flourish in summer student careers
- Rylee takes a chance to give colleagues a head start
- Cyndi's tapestry of career growth and opportunity
- Celebrating, uplifting, and nurturing culturally safe spaces: The Indigenous Peoples Circle
- Cultural transformation through the Pan-Asian Employee Network Group
- Nica took the "going all in" path to career growth
- Sieg and Sheila's secrets behind financial advisor training
- The Women's Network take their purpose to more people
- Alea sees Poss-ability everywhere
- Leah gets curious in the Indigenous Peoples Circle
- Indigenous scholarships that go beyond dollars and cents
- No difference between us: the Pride Employee Network Group
- Living out his purpose: how an ESG-strong culture enhances Bill's career
- Tripping out on kindness becomes a journey within Carole's career
- Susan's story: how to build a career of giving back and creating change
- How Garrett grew a sustainable career
Explore expert advice