Hot off the press…read our Winter Newsletter here:
Winter Newsletter December 7, 2021
Or catch up on past updates here:
CEO News & Member Updates
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Starting November 1, 2021 all non-profit organizations currently receiving paper statements will be charged $3.50.
All organizations are encouraged to signup for e-Statements for FREE. For further information on this change and how to set-up e-Statements or online banking, please review our Member FAQs below:
Read the full Member FAQs here
Please help us by taking a few minutes to tell us about the service you have received so far. We appreciate your business and want to make sure we not only meet but exceed your expectations.
All entries that choose to leave their contact information at the end of the survey will be entered into a monthly prize draw for $25 gift cards from a local business.
Note you will only be contacted if:
1.) you indicate you would like to be contacted for follow-up
2.) you win a prize
Offer Details
Cardholders will earn 25% more reward points whenever they use their Collabria credit card at eligible home supply, hardware and lumber stores (limited to a spend cap of $400 per card).
Eligible stores are stores that fall under the following Merchant Category Codes (MCCs):
- Code 5200: Home Supply Warehouse Stores
- Code 5251: Hardware Stores
- Code 5211: Lumber/Build, Supply Stores
Timing
This campaign will be active in market between August 1 – October 31, 2021.
Eligibility
All existing consumer and business accounts, except US Dollar, Classic, and Low Rate Business
The following message was distributed on July 8, 2021 by in-branch posters and handouts at Okanagan Landing as well as by email, website notice and online banking & mobile app direct message.
July 8, 2021
Hello, Members of VantageOne,
This member update is all about adapting to change at VantageOne. As you are aware, there have been significant shifts over the past year which has accelerated changes in the financial industry. As a result, we have identified a need to respond to these changes to remain competitive and continue to add value to our members.
Three big changes in our industry have occurred during the pandemic:
1. Member Banking Behaviour – the pandemic accelerated the use of non-branch banking channels in our society. This means we are experiencing a significant reduction in branch traffic. Over the past five years, even pre-pandemic years, we have seen a reduction in branch visits by members.
2. The Competitive Environment – the competitive environment continues to grow as we face not only the large banks, but new aggressive technology-based financial companies focused on key parts of our industry.
3. Continuation of Low-Interest Rates – the very low-interest-rate environment has had a positive impact on consumers who are borrowers; however, it has reduced the margins from traditional banking for financial institutions. Given the competitive environment, we don’t see margins returning to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. As a result, managing expenses and investing in technology has become even more important than in the past.
WHAT IS CHANGING?
To respond to these three big changes in our industry, we need to restructure our branch delivery in the Vernon market. This means moving from three branches in the Vernon market to one branch in the Vernon market. Our goal is to consolidate back to Main Branch for consumer banking services and we will be closing our Okanagan Landing and North Vernon Branches to consumer banking.
This change will allow for a more cost-effective branch network in Vernon and leverage our Main Branch building that we have recently updated. There are no changes to our other branches.
The specifics of the changes are as follows:
1. Closure of Okanagan Landing Branch — we will permanently close our Okanagan Landing Branch as of August 20, 2021. Our North Vernon Branch is open at this time to assist you with your banking needs.
2. Close and Re-Purpose North Vernon Branch – On October 2, 2021, North Vernon branch will be closed to consumer banking at the end of that business day; however, the drive-thru ATM and Night Deposit will remain open. We will move our Commercial Services department to this location and re-purpose North Vernon as our Commercial Centre along with our Wealth Management location.
3. Re-Open Main Branch – On October 4, 2021, we will re-open Main Branch as our centrally located 6 days a week branch for member transactional services in the Greater Vernon Market. The above changes will allow us to:
* Improve our branch cost structure.
* Provide members with a centrally located branch open 6 days a week.
* And an enhanced capacity to handle larger volumes of member traffic.
4. Commercial opens office at North Vernon – Our commercial team will relocate and open in their new location at the North Vernon Branch on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE
Our goal is to identify opportunities to reallocate impacted staff within our organization, where possible. Rest assured that we are not a large bank making these changes and then walking away. We are committed to ensuring that the impacted employees are supported through these changes and are provided with the necessary support.
Our members will be impacted by the change; however, the biggest request we get from member feedback and surveys is that we need to reopen Main Branch. This change will allow us to reopen Main Branch and offer 6 days a week services centrally located in downtown Vernon. ATM and Night deposit service will continue to be available at North Vernon Branch. Finally, as we have seen, many of our members are choosing other ways to bank, more convenient and faster, we will work through this with those members who may be challenged with this new branch structure.
CHANGE IS HARD
We understand change is hard and has an impact on people. We can assure you that the changes being made have been well thought out and will provide benefits to respond to the three big changes in our industry. VantageOne remains strong, sound and committed to providing members with the benefits of cooperative banking well into the future, these changes allow us to continue this strength forward.
Thank you all for choosing VantageOne as your financial institution. Our commitment to members will never stop and we will work even harder to ensure we not only meet but exceed your expectations as we move past these changes and compete in the new world of financial services. Our commitment to you remains, “Service and Advice with a Human Touch”. The channels we use to connect with members may change, but we will never lose sight of the importance of personal interaction.
Thank you for your understanding as we go through these changes.
Sincerely,
Glenn Benischek
Chief Executive Officer
Contact Us
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to us at membercommunications@vantageone.net
Have you missed a recent message or email?
1.) check your junk email
2.) contact us to ensure we have your current email address
3.) if you haven’t opted in for member emails but would like to, sign up here.
What happens to my account, do I need to change any of my pre-authorized debits or credits? Will my account number change?
Your account number will remain the same and nothing will change with your account. The Okanagan Landing and North Vernon Branches will remain as digital branches when the physical locations close to consumer banking. You can continue to bank seamlessly with our Solutions Centre or at any VantageOne location, including our Main (downtown) Branch when it re-opens on October 4.
Please contact us with any further questions you may have about your account. Contact Us
What is changing?
To respond to these three big changes in our industry, we need to restructure our branch delivery in the Vernon market. This means moving from three branches in the Vernon market to one branch in the Vernon market. Our goal is to consolidate back to Main Branch for consumer banking services and we will be closing our OkanaganLanding and North Vernon Branches to consumer banking. There are no changes to our other branches. Important Note: There will be no changes to your account and your account number will remain the same. You can continue to visit any VantageOne location for service and utilize our Solutions Centre.
Why are you changing?
Three big changes in our industry have occurred during and as a result of the pandemic, which has deemed these changes necessary in order to remain a strong credit union into the future:
1.) Member Banking Behaviour
– the pandemic accelerated the use of non-branch banking channels in our society. This means we are experiencing a significant reduction in branch traffic. Over the past five years, even pre-pandemic years, we have seen a reduction in branch visits by members.
2.) The Competitive Environment –
the competitive environment continues to grow as we face not only the large banks, but new aggressive technology-based financial companies focused on key parts of our industry.
3.) Continuation of Low-Interest Rates
– the very low-interest-rate environment has had a positive impact on consumers who are borrowers; however, have reduced the margins from traditional banking for financial institutions. Given the competitive environment, we don’t see margins returning to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. As a result, managing expenses and investing in technology has become even more important than it ever has in the past.
How will this change help the members?
These changes will allow us to respond to members’ feedback and their desire to have Main Branch re-opened:
1. Improve our branch cost structure
2. Provide members with a centrally located branch open 6 days a week with Main Branch re-opening
3. This reopening will provide members with an enhanced capacity to handle larger volumes of member traffic
Are you going to close any additional branches in the future?
There are no current plans to close any additional branches. VantageOne has been committed to maintaining a branch presence in the communities we serve.
Why is the Commercial Department relocating to the North Vernon Branch?
The North Vernon location is within the growing commercial district of the City of Vernon and provides ample parking, making it an ideal location for our Commercial Centre.
What happens to your staff that are impacted by the closures?
Our goal is to identify opportunities to reallocate impacted staff within our organization, where possible. Rest assured that we are not a large bank making these changes and then walking away. We are committed to ensuring that the impacted employees are supported through these changes and are provided the necessary support.
Employees will continue to work in the communities we serve today and, as always, continue to have opportunities to consider new roles and learn new skills for career development. VantageOne is changing so that we remain competitive and sustainable for the long term for our employees, our members, and our communities.
I am an Okanagan Landing member, where do I go after August 20th? I am a North Vernon member, where do I go after October 1st?
Drive-thru ATM- available at our North Vernon Branch at 5300 26 Street, Vernon
Walk-up ATMs & Night Deposit– available at North Vernon and Main Branch
Teller Services – available at North Vernon until end of day on October 2, 2021, then re-opening at Main Branch on October 4, 2021
Important Dates:
August 23, 2021– North Vernon moves to a 6 Day Branch, Monday to Saturday
October 4, 2021– Main Branch re-opens 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday, as our Consumer Banking branch in the Vernon market
Remote Banking Options:
VantageOne offers a wide range of remote banking services that allow you to bank from anywhere, including your own home:
Solutions Centre
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm.
Connect with our team by phone call 1.888.339.8328, or through
EasyConnect video call & live chat, or by email info@vantageone.net.
Online Banking and Mobile App
Available 24/7.
As a member of VantageOne you can continue to bank seamlessly with our Solutions Centre or at any of our branch locations, including Main (downtown) when it re-opens on October 4, 2021.
Full Member FAQs
To view the full FAQ communication for our members, Click Here: Member Facing FAQs
Summer doesn’t have to empty out your wallet. When you plan ahead, you can also save and even earn extra cash!
- Head to Your Local Library
Did you know? Our local libraries offer so much more than only books to check out. Our libraries are also filled with summer reading programs, DVD rentals, apps, audiobooks, online movies craft and art programs and so much more! “Check-out” one of the local libraries closest to you to see what they are offering this summer. Learn something new or keep your kids busy over the summer, either way, your local library has something to offer for all ages! Learn more here.
- Stay Close To Home with a Staycation
It’s vacation season but traveling a lot during the summer can really increase your expenses. Instead, choose to stay closer to home with a Staycation!
There are lots of things you can do locally that are free or low-cost…. maybe even things that you’ve never done before! You’ll have fun AND save money all while getting to sleep in your own bed! Find Staycation ideas, planning, and budget tips in our Staycation guide here.
- Bring Your Own Snacks
Whether you’re home with the kids for the summer or taking a road trip, one thing is for sure…… you’re going to need snacks! But those quick-stop, gas station/convenience store snacks run up a bill much higher than their value.
Before you head out, take the time to purchase plenty of healthier snacks from your local grocery store. Tip: Purchase in bulk and divide up the snacks into re-usable containers or bags to create individual snack portions for everyone in the family.
- Earn Money By Selling Items You No Longer Need
Not only can you save money during the summer months, but you can also make money too! Make good use of the warmer temperatures and sunlight by planning a garage sale or clean out your closet and post items online for sale on Facebook, Instagram or in a local online marketplace group.
- Ease Up on Your Air Conditioner
When the temperature rises outside, you’re going to want a cool, comfortable house to come home to…but excessively cooling off your home also leads to a larger energy bill! Try these tips to help keep your home comfortable and your bill low:
Grill outside – When you use your stove or oven to cook, you are heating up your home. Therefore, as you cook, your air conditioner is working harder which raises your energy bill. Besides…who doesn’t love a picnic or barbeque in the summer? Eating outside also means less mess, so it makes mealtimes easy!
Turn down the AC –Along with grilling outside, you can save money on your utility bill by using your air conditioner less. Keep things a little warmer inside to save a little dough. You could also consider getting a programmable thermostat that would allow you to raise the temperature during the hours you’re out of the home and drop it back down when you’re there.
Replace air filters—Before it gets too far into the summer, replace the filters on your air conditioner. It’ll help your air conditioner work more efficiently.
Shut the blinds–The more sunlight you have coming into your home, the higher your air conditioning bill will be. Close the blinds during the sunniest part of the day if you can. Even if you love the light during the day and can’t stand to close your blinds, at least shut your blinds when you leave home.
6. Let the Sun Be Your Dryer
Finally, if the sun is going to cause the temperatures to rise, you might as well use it to your advantage by allowing the sun to dry your laundry outside on a clothesline. Not only will you help save money by not using your dryer, you will also bring the fresh smell of the outdoors to your clothing and linens, too!
For Immediate Release
June 7 2021
VANTAGEONE CREDIT UNION SUPPORTS S.T.E.A.M. PROGRAMMING
AT FOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BRANCHES
KELOWNA, BC – VantageOne Credit Union’s generous $4,000 donation to Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) has helped strengthen community programming in the communities of Peachland, Vernon, Armstrong and Enderby, BC. The charitable gift will support ORL in two vital ways: Improving public access to digital learning and tools and fostering the development of S.T.E.A.M. programming at four of our smaller library branches.
“We are thrilled!” says ORL’s Chief Executive Officer, Don Nettleton, on receiving the charitable gift. “ORL is so grateful for this timely donation from VantageOne which will help support community needs for STEAM programming.” STEAM includes activities that encompass an educational approach to learning using Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. It enables young people, and those of all ages and abilities, to innovate and build critical thinking and problem-solving skills and to engage in self-motivated learning and collaboration.
“We are very pleased to partner with Okanagan Regional Library to help support this type of educational programming in local community library branches,” says Roxanne Davyduke, Vice President of Consumer Banking Services at VantageOne. “It is very encouraging to know that our donation is being used to support STEAM programming and the purchase of four new Cricut Cutter machines for four local library branches in communities where we do business across the Okanagan Valley.”
Circuit Cutters safely and accurately create beautiful and precise designs out of paper, balsawood, vinyl, fabric, leather, mat board or tissue paper. Participants will take turns using the machines as they create innovative things like fabric banners, labels, iron-on-T-shirt designs, greeting cards, paper gift boxes, leather earrings, decals, jigsaw puzzles, sewing patterns, and fridge magnets. Staff in the four branches are actively planning to use the devices to support the needs of do-it-yourselfers and crafters in their local communities. VantageOne’s support will help ensure that library patrons and members of the public, who may otherwise not be able to acquire their own Cricut Cutter, have easy access to a state-of-the-art digital creation tool and educational support on its use.
Okanagan Regional Library was founded in 1936 and serves more than 380,000 residents of the BC Southern Interior through 31 branches and online resources.
Contact:
Michal Utko, Director of Marketing & Communications
Okanagan Regional Library
p | 250.878.5814
e | mutko@orl.bc.ca
Did you know that we never charge any transfer fees on balance transfers?
That’s right. Whenever you transfer balances from other credit cards onto your VantageOne credit card, you get to transfer them for free. No questions asked.
In fact, we want to go one step further to help you manage your balances. For a limited time only, you can take advantage of 5.9% annual interest rate on balance transfers for 6 months.* This means that your balances would be charged only 5.9% for the first six months upon transfer.
All you have to do is log on to MyCardInfo to initiate your balance transfer. The 5.9% rate will be applied automatically. There is nothing else for you to do except enjoy this great interest rate!
Got questions? Call Cardholder Services at 1.855.341.4643.
Sincerely,
Your VantageOne Team
We appreciate your business and want to make sure we meet your expectations. Please help us by telling us about the service you have received so far.
What is the survey for?
The information we receive is valuable in showing us where we can improve and where we are doing well. Your response will be reviewed by our CEO, senior leadership, and management teams.
Is there a prize draw?
By taking our survey, you will also be entered into our draw for 3 prizes of $50 each in gift cards to support local businesses.
Will I be contacted after I fill this out?
Only those who wish to be contacted or are winners of a prize will be contacted by VantageOne. If you would like to leave anonymous feedback, you can answer N/A in the contact information fields to skip.
Length of the survey
The survey will take approx 5-10 minutes
Thank you to those members who voted in our 2021 Board of Directors election. The election closed on May 7, 2021 and the results are below:
Jordan Bowness – 169
Howard Neufeld – 162
Jason Gilbert – 159
Scott Anderson – 73
We had 3 positions available, 2 for 3-year terms and 1 for a 1-year term.
Jordan & Howard will fill our 3-year terms & Jason will fill the 1-year term.
Register below for our virtual AGM on May 19, 2021:
