Access Credit Union , Noventis Credit Union, and Sunova Credit Union Engage In Merger Discussions
MB – The Boards of Directors for Access Credit Union (AcceleRate Financial's parent company), Noventis Credit Union and Sunova Credit Union are pleased to announce that they are currently engaged in discussions regarding the potential for a merger between the three organizations.
Leaders from Access, Noventis and Sunova began discussions in January 2021 after each organization recognized that ongoing change was necessary for continued growth and to ensure value for their members in an increasingly competitive environment. Since then, the teams have completed initial reviews and evaluation that has revealed this potential partnership is worth exploring for the benefit of their members, employees, and communities.
As part of their continuing due diligence, each credit union will encourage broad participation by engaging with their members and employees. This will be valuable as they determine their next steps, and the boards prepare to make a recommendation to their respective memberships.
“During these preliminary discussions, we realized our values and cultures were very much aligned. We believe that by working together, we can continue to provide competitive products and services for our respective memberships now, and into the future, as well as great opportunities for all of our employees.”, noted Sunova Board Chair Kevin Beresford.
Noventis Board Chair Paul Cuthbert said the new entity will continue to have a strong focus on serving the community. “Building strong community is important to each of our organizations and this merger would provide the capacity for a stronger community investment program now and into the future.”
“We are very excited about the potential of this partnership and therefore, decided to share this exciting news with our employees, members and our communities at this early stage in the process. All three credit unions have a strong commitment to putting the needs of our members first and to maintain value for our memberships,” shared Ingrid Loewen, Board Chair for Access Credit Union. “As we proceed through the exploration stage, developing a detailed business case, we look forward to our potential future together. We will continue to engage and inform our employees and members as things progress and confirm our final recommendation to the members later this year.”
Following completion of the due diligence process, if the Board of Directors from all three organizations choose to recommend a merger, they will seek membership approval in the winter of 2022.
ABOUT ACCESS CREDIT UNION
Access Credit Union was incorporated in 2020 following a merger with Crosstown Civic Credit Union. The current assets exceed $6 billion. The credit union serves 92,000 members through 26 service delivery offices spread across southern Manitoba and Winnipeg. Access is currently the 2nd largest credit union in Manitoba. For more information about Access Credit Union, visit www.accesscu.ca.
ABOUT NOVENTIS CREDIT UNION
Noventis was incorporated in 2010 following a series of mergers and currently serves 28,000 members with $1.14 billion in assets across 12 branches through out the Interlake and west of Winnipeg. Noventis is the 10th largest credit union in Manitoba. For more information about Noventis Credit Union, visit www.noventis.ca.
ABOUT SUNOVA CREDIT UNION
Sunova was incorporated in 1955 and has grown to serve 49,700 members with $2.3 billion in assets across 14 branches located in Winnipeg, eastern Manitoba and southern Interlake region. Sunova is the 5th largest credit union in Manitoba. For more information about Sunova Credit Union, visit www.sunovacu.ca.
Digital Banking Upgrade: How to Prepare
We are launching our new online banking platform on June 17th, 2021!
Access Credit Union and Crosstown Civic Credit Union (AcceleRate Financial's former parent company) officially merged on January 1st, 2021. Having successfully integrated banking system databases the weekend of May 7th, 2021, we are now preparing to upgrade to an all-new digital banking experience for Access and AcceleRate members.
Features to look forward to include:
- Account and security alerts
- Device controls
- Biometric authentication
- Favourite transaction shortcuts
- Customizable layout
Important: Update your contact information before June 14th
Please update your email and mobile phone number with us—it's the most important action you can take to prepare for the new banking platform. Easily update your contact information in a few minutes using one of the following secure methods:
- Update your profile in online banking
- Submit your information through our secure online form
- Call our toll-free digital banking upgrade support at 1.877.700.2736
How to prepare for the upgrade:
- Update your mobile phone number or email address // Before June 14th
When you sign in to the new banking platform for the first time, your mobile phone number or email address is used to help verify your identity along with new security features. Please note, if we do not have your current mobile phone number or email on file, you may have to call us before logging in to the new digital banking platform. Update your contact information in a few minutes using one of the methods listed above. - Verify your current Personal Access Code (PAC) // Before June 16th
The first time you log in, the new platform will require the same PAC (password) you currently use for online banking or our app. If you haven’t logged in for a while, please take a moment to log in today to ensure you remember your password. If you need to reset it, call us at 1.877.700.2736 - Take note of your member-to-member transfer contacts // Before June 16th
Member-to-member transfers allow you to send funds directly to another AcceleRate Financial member. While this feature will continue to be available in the new digital banking platform, your recipients’ account information will not move over during the transition. To use this feature after we launch, you will need to re-enter each 12-digit account number for your recipients, so we recommend that you make note of them now by reviewing your account statements or contacting your intended recipients. - Complete any sending or accepting of Interac e-Transfers® // Before June 16th at 7:00 p.m. CDT
Remind your e-Transfer recipients to accept their funds before 7:00 p.m. CDT on June 16th. All pending transfers will automatically be cancelled and funds will be redeposited into the members’ account. Pending transactions cancelled after 7pm on June 16th will need to be set up after the mobile and online banking upgrade.
Members’ Interac e-Transfer profile, history, and recipient list are expected to carry forward to the new database (with the exception of pending e-Transfers).
However, as a back-up measure we recommend the following:
- Make a list of, print, or screenshot all e-Transfer recipient email addresses
- Screenshot and save/print your e-Transfer history
- Clean up your e-Transfer list and delete any recipients that you are no longer using - Try our easy-to-follow interactive demos
Whether you do your daily banking from your computer or mobile phone, try our interactive demo tutorials to get familiar with the most common features and settings.
>> DOWNLOAD YOUR PREPARATION CHECKLIST HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I need a new mobile app? +Yes, you will need to either download or update the mobile app. If you use the mobile app on an Apple device, you will need to update the app to access mobile banking starting June 17th. If you are set up for automatic updates, there will be nothing further for you to do. If you are not, you will need to manually update it in the App Store. If the update process doesn't work for you, please delete the existing app and re-download it. Search for "Access CU" or use this direct link: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/id765990951. If you use an Android device, you will need to install the new app from the Google Play Store. Search for “Access CU” or access it via this direct link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.celero.access.
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Will I need to reset my password? +Your online banking password will reset when our new platform launches. You will need to set up a new username and password when you login to the new system for the first time. Your password must have at least 10 characters minimum and up to 35 characters maximum; at least one upper case letter; and at least one lower case letter; at least one number. Special characters are optional
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What is two-factor authentication? What are authentication codes? +Two-factor authentication is an electronic security function in which a user is granted access to a feature or transaction only after successfully providing two distinct forms of identification. Once you use your password to log in to online banking or the mobile app, we use authentication codes as an added layer of security for key transactions. These codes are sent to your email or mobile phone and must be input into the platform when prompted.
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I didn’t receive a verification code to my email – what do I do? +First, check your spam or junk folder. If you don’t find it, click resend the code on your confirmation screen to try again.
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Can I change my username? +No, once you’ve chosen a username, you won’t be able to change it.
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I forgot my username – how do I sign in? +You can sign in using your debit card number in place of your username and you can contact us to assist with recovering your username
Still have a question?
Call our toll-free digital banking upgrade support number: 1.877.700.2736
Email our Member Solutions Centre: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Important: Update your contact information prior to technical integration
Access Credit Union and Crosstown Civic Credit Union (AcceleRate Financial's former parent company) officially merged on January 1st, 2021. We are now in the process of integrating our operations and banking system.
You'll receive more communication as we get closer to the technical integration later in the year, but it's never too early to get prepared.
Please update your email and mobile phone number with us—it's the most important action you can take to prepare for the new banking platform.
When you sign in to the new banking platform for the first time, your email address or mobile phone number is used to help verify your identity along with new security features. Ensuring that we have your correct email address in our system will also help us keep you updated about what’s changing and when.
Please call us now at 1.888.954.9543 to update your information.
Notice to Registered Savings Plan Holders
AcceleRate Financial’s parent company, Crosstown Civic Credit Union, merged with Access Credit Union on January 1, 2021. With this merge, there will be some minor changes affecting your investments with AcceleRate Financial. No action is required by account holders at this time.
Notice to Registered Savings Plan Holders
There are two stages in investing for your retirement; the first stage is accumulating retirement savings, typically in an RRSP. The next stage is to provide retirement income. When it’s time to use
the money you’ve accumulated for your retirement years, a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RIF) provides a regular income stream, while continuing to shelter your investment principal from
income tax. Amounts paid out of a RRIF are taxable on receipt.
It is mandatory that you convert all your RRSPs by December 31 in the year you turn 71. The latest you are allowed to take your first payment is December 31 in the year you turn 72, however, the payment must be at least the full annual minimum* amount.
Tax law stipulates that a minimum payment must be withdrawn from your RRIF each year and reported as income. *This minimum annual payment is taken from a schedule that is based on your age or the age of your spouse selected at the time the RRIF was opened. TIP: You can also opt to use your spouse’s birthdate if they are older in order to increase the amount of the minimum
annual payment.
As this rate fluctuates annually, your RRIF payment may change from year to year and will be adjusted automatically.
Please do not hesitate to contact AcceleRate Financial toll free at 1-888-954-9543 if you have any questions about your RRIF, or any of our other services. For more information, including the factors used, please consult the Canada Revenue Agency website.
Notice to all Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) Holders:
As of January 1, 2021, your TFSA plan currently held under AcceleRate Financial’s TFSA specimen plan will be transferred to Access Credit Union’s specimen plan. Concentra Trust remains as the trustee, while all administration and processing continues to be conducted directly at AcceleRate Financial. Note, this amendment does not alter the investment(s) held in your TFSA plan in any fashion.
Please refer to this document or contact us to obtain a copy of the Declaration of Trust governing Access Credit Union’s TFSA specimen plan.
Attention RRSP, RRIF, TSFA plan holders:
CAUTION: Your designation of beneficiary by means of a designation form will not be revoked or changed automatically by any future marriage or divorce. Should you wish to change your
beneficiary in the event of a future marriage or divorce, you will have to do so by means of a new designation.
