MEDIA CENTRE

Media Inquiries

Get in touch

We welcome members of the media to contact our media relations team.

By Email

mediarelations@firstwestcu.ca

By Phone

Josh Juhlke, Communications Manager

Media Guidelines

The following guidelines are designed to ensure accuracy when referring to First West Credit Union, its divisions and lines of business.

Journalistic Style Guidelines

Media Releases

Read the latest media releases from First West Credit Union

October 30, 2024

Island Savings awarded $10,000 to support Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation’s Food4Schools program

DUNCAN, B.C. - With the support of Concentra and EQ Bank’s Empowering Your Community grant program, Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, is pleased to announce that… Continue Reading

October 3, 2024

First West and BC Cancer Foundation continue partnership to showcase ‘Life Beyond Cancer’

LANGLEY, B.C. – First West Credit Union and BC Cancer Foundation  are proud to announce the extension of their partnership through 2025. The partnership includes a total investment of $100,000… Continue Reading

June 21, 2024

First West Foundation helps communities flourish through $684,700 in grants

LANGLEY, B.C. - The First West Foundation, through its Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby Financial Community Endowments, is granting $684,700 this year— a total of 53 grants—… Continue Reading

April 26, 2024

First West executive receives national recognition for her work in the people and culture space 

LANGLEY, B.C. – First West Credit Union is honoured to announce that Liz Bailey-Connor, Chief People & Culture Officer, has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Chief Human… Continue Reading

February 22, 2024

First West Credit Union named as one of BC’s Top Employers

LANGLEY, B.C. – Locally-based First West Credit Union has earned the prestigious distinction of being one of “BC’s Top Employers” for 2024. Now in its 19th year, BC’s Top Employers—… Continue Reading

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

LANGLEY, B.C. – DBRS Limited (Morningstar DBRS) confirmed its Long-Term Issuer Rating at BBB (high) and its Short-Term Issuer Rating at R-1 (low) for First West Credit Union, noting that… Continue Reading

November 24, 2023

First West Credit Union wins “Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture” award

LANGLEY, B.C. – First West Credit Union has been recognized as a leading employer in Canada. Waterstone Human Capital named the British Columbia-based credit union as one of the winners of… Continue Reading

November 1, 2023

First West wins prestigious award recognizing exceptional mental health in the workplace

LANGLEY, B.C.- Canadian Occupational Safety recently announced the winners of its 5-Star Psychological Safety Awards with First West Credit Union being recognized in the category of companies over 500 employees. … Continue Reading

September 14, 2023

Longtime Fraser Valley resident Tamara Hendsbee appointed president of Envision Financial

LANGLEY, B.C. — Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union, is excited to announce that Tamara Hendsbee has been appointed to the role of president of the Envision Financial… Continue Reading

September 14, 2023

New leader for Valley First as Simon Mills takes the helm

PENTICTON, B.C. — Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, is pleased to announce that Simon Mills has been appointed president. Mills will lead the Valley First personal, business… Continue Reading

Company Snap Shot

General information

  • Formation: Jan.1, 2010, with earliest predecessor credit union established in 1946
  • Comparative size: Third largest credit union in B.C.; fifth largest in Canada
  • Total assets and assets under administration: Nearly $18.6 billion
  • Members: More than 270,000
  • Employees: Approximately 1,250
  • Head office: Langley, B.C.
  • Branches: 45

Previous mergers

  • Island Savings merged with First West in 2015
  • Enderby & District Credit Union merged with First West in 2013
  • Envision Credit Union and Valley First Credit Union merged in 2010, forming First West
  • Delta Credit Union and First Heritage Savings merged in 2001 to form Envision Credit Union
  • Valley First amalgamated with Armstrong Spallumcheen Savings & Credit Union and purchased KCP Credit Union in Kamloops in 2001.