- A Message from your CEO and AGM Summary
- Church Builder GIC – Available to June 30
- Tell your friends about Kindred and you could win a $500 GIC
- Heading into retirement? Ask these four questions first.
- A New Online Experience
Light and Hope in Challenging Times
A message from Ian Thomas, CEO
Along with the economic challenges, loneliness, and loss wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 offered genuine experiences of light and hope. The lessons we learned over the past year, as well as the inspiration offered by our members and communities, will never be forgotten. I can say with confidence that Kindred was able to live out its values and purpose throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to demonstrate in meaningful and tangible ways that we were there for our members in 2020 and, as the pandemic continues, I want to reassure you that we’re still here, working for you.
We’re committed to making more tools available to enrich our members’ banking experience, and we recognize that providing a variety of ways to bank is now a necessity rather than simply a convenience. In fact, the pandemic put our plans to offer increased digital access into overdrive. From digital membership opening and e-signature to video meetings, extended hours at our Member Contact Centre, and contactless banking solutions, we’ve made it easier for people across Ontario to experience Banking with Purpose whenever and wherever they’re at. I’m so proud of my team for delivering when our members and community needed it most.
In addition to being a record year for growth, it was also a record year to demonstrate our values… Our support to communities in 2020 came through our people, programs, products and services, as well as philanthropy… Early in the pandemic, Kindred donated $15,000 to local organizations serving those who are most vulnerable to the economic effects of the pandemic. This was made possible thanks to our members who chose to connect their values and faith with their finances by investing in Kindred’s Crisis Care GIC. Sales of this unique investment surpassed $2 million!
Just as 2020 offered some unexpected lessons in resilience and managing expectations, 2021 will continue to offer challenges that we must overcome. Yet, with hope on the horizon, we’re looking forward to another successful year that will enable your credit union to help members secure their financial future and further our purpose to connect values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities.
Thank you to all our staff and members who continue to put their trust in this amazing organization.
With appreciation,
Ian Thomas, Chief Executive Officer
Read Ian’s complete message, including a summary of our financial results and a link to our annual report → Banking with Purpose Wherever You’re At: Our 57th AGM.
Your Credit Union, Your AGM
Kindred’s 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM), hosted online on April 13, was a great success thanks to enthusiastic member participation and a little help from technology. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
We’re pleased to let you know that our virtual meeting gathered more than 260 members and special guests to hear the latest Kindred news and our 2020 financial update! Members also voted on a number of resolutions, including an update to our General By-law, and two new Directors were ratified for our 2021 Board of Directors.
Church Builder GIC
Looking for a creative way to fundraise for your church while helping your congregation with their investments?
Many churches noticed a substantial drop in weekly cash flow once services moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions. As the pandemic continues, it’s even more important to find ways to maintain your church’s sources of revenue.
Kindred’s Church Builder GIC offers an easy way to contribute to the churches and church-based organizations that matter to you. You invest in a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) that earns a competitive interest rate and in return, Kindred donates an additional 0.25% interest to the church or charity of your choice. If you’re interested in investing, please contact us before June 30. Contact a financial advisor.
Looking to promote Church Builder GICs to your congregation? Visit our Church Builder page for support materials.
Collaborative Partnership
MennoHomes was created in 2001 as an advocate for safe and affordable housing in Waterloo Region. At that time, the waiting list for affordable housing was 3,000 individuals or families. Today, amidst a hot residential real estate market across the country that’s putting pressure on the rental supply, the need has doubled to more than 6,000.
Collaborative partnerships allow MennoHomes to rally support from across the region and begin to tackle the massive issue of affordable housing. As announced earlier this year, Kindred has made a significant contribution to MennoHomes’ capital campaign, A Place to Call Home, within a new innovative partnership commitment.
Read the full blog article → Collaborative Partnership: Advancing Affordable Housing
Finding Common Ground
Serving southwestern Ontario for more than 55 years, Kindred Credit Union has developed strong ties to local agricultural communities. Part of banking with purpose within the agricultural community means that we’re invested in understanding and supporting the ‘bigger picture’ so we can help our members and communities thrive, both today and in the future.
As a financial cooperative that serves members across the spectrum of agricultural practice, Kindred connects with a variety of approaches and experiences related to farming and we have an interest in understanding the common ground as we work towards community food security and sustainable food systems.
We’re excited to share this story and we invite you to join the conversation! Read the blog article → Finding Common Ground: A Conversation Between Members
Tell your friends about Kindred and you could win a $500 GIC*
Wherever you are on your financial journey, you have a better choice for banking – a place where your money can be a force for good. Invite your friends to open an account and experience Banking with Purpose.
When someone you’ve referred opens a Kindred account, you’ll be entered into our $500 GIC draws!* Ask us for details.
* Terms and conditions apply. There will be three draws and non-winning entries will be eligible for the subsequent draws.
Strength through Partnership
Kindred was delighted to partner with the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale (NHMRS), as they took their long-standing quilt auction online for the second consecutive year. After the quick pivot last year to host a virtual sale amidst COVID-19 restrictions, NHMRS supporters showed that their commitment to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) would continue to drive their support.
Similarly, through societal shifts and economic ups and downs, Kindred’s partnership with NHMRS and MCC has held strong. As our respective communities’ needs have changed, we have adapted too, and the alignment between our organizations’ missions has continued to grow.
Learn more at nhmrs.com/news/strength-through-partnership.
Heading into retirement? Be sure to ask yourself these four questions first.
You’ve been saving throughout your working life. After all that hard work, retirement is approaching and you have some decisions to make. When you begin to draw income from your savings, you must be strategic to take advantage of the features designed into Canada’s retirement programs. So, where to start?
Read the full article here.
A New Online Experience
We’re pleased to continue expanding our digital solutions, so more Ontarians can experience Banking with Purpose wherever they’re at!
We invite you to visit the new kindredcu.com, where you’ll find a clean, modern website that’s easy to navigate and reflects the latest accessibility standards. Built on an agile and secure platform, our new site offers a strong foundation for future digital development with the promise of much more to come.
As we walk with you on your financial journey, we’re thrilled to offer the new kindredcu.com as a resource for information on everyday banking, borrowing, investing, and much more. The website is rich with content to help you become more knowledgeable about your finances, boost your financial confidence, and start you on the path to building a stronger financial future.
When you’re ready to connect, simply click the ‘Contact Us’ links highlighted on kindredcu.com, or pick up the phone, and you’ll find a dedicated Kindred representative eager to help with your financial needs.
Student Solutions
Post-secondary expenses can really add up. At Kindred, we take the financial stress out of the picture with products designed specifically for students.
Available for youth and students, Kindred’s Generations Plan offers flexible and convenient everyday banking with no monthly access fee! Plus, our Student Creditline, is a line of credit designed to help students cover the cost of higher education.
Want to learn more about managing your finances while pursuing postsecondary studies? Speak with a Personal Lending Specialist today.