The Benefits of Membership

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KCCU is the only truly local financial institution in the greater Kingston area. Our employees, our sources of deposits, our loans and mortgages, our profits, our donations are all put to work growing the local economy. In many cases, managers and employees of KCCU have deeper skill sets than the competition. They have to, they do functions that include head office functions unknown to branch employees at other financial institutions. When you want real expertise KCCU is the best-kept secret in town. Our average employee and director tenure are long and our staff, directors, and members understand the aspects of banking that are often done in large cities for banks. We understand the local business, local employment, local housing values, local traditions, and community organizations. Experience and expertise matter.

Membership

KCCU repaid members over $1.4 Million cashback in the form of Dividends from 2014-2019. In November of 2019, KCCU started paying interest on the new High-Interest Savings Account, replacing dividends formerly paid to members with balances in Dividend Savings. The Dividend Savings Account was phased out in favour of the higher yield and more universal HISA. Since then, members have deposited over $38M into the HISA, more than double the total balance members had in the Dividend Savings at its peak. KCCU used to pay based upon the previous year's profits, but members approved paying the dividend as interest at that Annual Meeting. The Board recognized this meant most of the dividend was being paid as an interest expense, but without the advance certainty depositors prefer. This new system provides certainty of the former dividend by paying guaranteed interest monthly on the minimum daily balance in the HISA. The cost to our credit union is the same but your Board and Senior Management feel this is more equitable for all members and your Board ratified this that year. KCCU offered members impacted by COVID-19 up to a 6-month deferral (as low as "no payments") on their mortgages this year and the credit union canceled charges on EMTs (email money transfers) for 6 months to help folks find ways to avoid the need for extra branch visits. KCCU's Board donated $25,000 to the community for Food Sharing programs on behalf of members due to the impact of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 and helped members through tough times with service flexibility, no contact options, mortgage payment deferrals, and emergency loans. Members of credit unions have generally been regarded as progressive individuals who want the best possible service for all of their financial and banking needs and believe strongly that they can feel good about their finances in a like-minded organization. Kingston Community Credit Union understands Ethics and Financial Strength, community involvement, climate action and the need to provide members with the best in class pricing, new services like access to wealth products and mobile banking applications, and a strong future with technology with services they have come to expect along with the strongest in personal service and member advocacy.

Strength and Stability

Ten thousand members can’t be wrong! Starting back in 1957 with volunteers as a small closed bond credit union, KCCU now has over $270 Million in assets under administration employing over 42 people from our community. KCCU has met and exceeded all of its regulatory requirements for capital adequacy, interest risk management, liquidity, governance, and social responsibility. It has a market capitalization of over $16.9 Million controlled solely by its members in excess of its peers. It is regarded as one of the leading credit unions in the province and across the country.

A Different Approach – Financial Co-operatives

Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) is a democratic financial co-operative. Like most co-operatives, The Board of Directors is elected from the membership and has a say in the direction of the credit union. Members may attend the Annual Meeting each year to participate and vote on dividends, by-laws, directors and to get informed about the credit union’s activities over the past year. KCCU offers a complete line of financial products and services to help you meet your financial goals. Join KCCU today and start enjoying the benefits of your membership! Once you join Kingston Community Credit Union, you can belong for life. All members are welcome to continue using all of our services even if they move, change jobs, or retire.

Be Part of the Co-operative Movement

Belonging to Kingston Community Credit Union, a financial co-operative means that you will be part of the growing co-operative movement. Co-operatives are based upon the idea of maximizing benefit, rather than profit. Banks generate money (profit) for investors who purchase bank stock. Credit Union members have an institution that works to maximize the things they value in their lives and in their community. Credit unions maximize benefits according to co-operative principles and their mission statement. The assumption is that there is strength in mutual self-help and that the co-operative has a collective responsibility for the well being of its members. In addition, individual co-operatives strive to create a united co-operative movement, by working with other co-operatives, to improve the collective well being. A great place to bank for all the stages of our lives and the lives of the people we care about – our families and friends.

Be part of a Caring Community

Kingston Community Credit Union has made a long-term corporate commitment to charitable giving of a minimum of 5% of our pre-tax annual income. KCCU's average donations in cash and in-kind over the past ten years was in excess of 10% of its income! KCCU has won numerous prestigious awards displayed in our 795 Gardiners Road office for such ideals as Promoting Youth Involvement and Outstanding Corporate Charitable Giving in addition to numerous awards for Co-operation, Social Responsibility, Marketing, Youth Innovation, Mentorship, Social Responsibility and dedicated service to the credit union system. KCCU is fortunate to have such committed and caring individuals on staff, on the Board and in senior management who ensure social justice issues are at the forefront of our corporate philosophy and behaviour. These beliefs strengthen the credit union system as a whole and help to define KCCU and its role in our community.