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MEDIA CENTRE

First West aims to create positive change for members, communities, and planet with improved ESG rating

LANGLEY, B.C. –First West Credit Union has continued its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially conscious organization by engaging  Morningstar Sustainalytics, a leading global provider of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) research, ratings, and data , for a second consecutive year to obtain a formal ESG risk rating.

“Being a financial co-operative means our members have chosen to align themselves with us because we have a shared interest of making our world and communities a better place,” says Launi Skinner, CEO of First West Credit Union. “Although this has always been our mission and always will be, receiving a formal ESG rating helps us confirm our organization is having the intended impact and helps us identify where we can improve.”

This second annual rating placed First West in the upper echelon of global financial institutions with a rating of 16.7 “low,” indicating the organization’s low exposure to ESG risks and that they are managing their environment, social, and governance risks well. This is an improvement over last year’s rating of 18.6 “low”.

Some areas that helped form First West’s strong ESG rating included their community investment programs, providing responsible investment options to members, having a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity and ensuring members’ information is safe and secure.

“Although the elements that go into forming this rating are incredibly complex, the crux actually remains quite simple—enabling us to use our business as a force for good, now and into the future,” says Skinner. “Ultimately, we believe it’s incredibly important to walk the walk when it comes to ESG and be transparent and accountable in the work that is being done.”

For more information on this rating, visit: Chttps://www.sustainalytics.com/esg-rating/first-west-credit-union/2003363290

Company Information

About First West Credit Union

First West Credit Union brings together the best of both worlds, combining the scale, stability and solutions of a leading Canadian financial institution with the care and community leadership of a local cooperative. Powered by the leadership of Launi Skinner, First West is Canada’s premier multi-brand credit union, serving 283,000 members through four admired community brands: Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby & District Financial. With approximately $20 billion in total assets and assets under administration, First West makes it easy for its members to get impactful, practical advice and personalized service that’s truly in their best interests, through 45 branches across B.C., a Member Advice Centre and leading digital tools.

Since 2010, First West has given back more than $41 million to its communities, while cultivating a culture with its 1,250 team members that is recognized nationally with Canada’s Most Admired Cultures Award, BC’s Top Employers Award, 5-Star Psychological Safety Award, and the Canadian Workplace Wellbeing Award. Learn more at firstwestcu.ca and see how we’re redefining banking to create a future where everyone can flourish.

Media Contacts

Josh Juhlke

Communications Manager
c: 604.309.6066
jjuhlke@firstwestcu.ca