Community
Where you need us to be, in your community.
Access Credit Union is dedicated to demonstrating leadership and commitment within the communities we serve through ongoing charitable support, involvement within our community, and by providing and facilitating educational programming. Through our long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility we look for ways to broaden our focus on community, environment, and volunteerism.
We fulfill this commitment through:
Community Investment
We provide sponsorships and donations to non-profit organizations in our communities.
Financial Literacy
We partner with like-minded organizations and share our business expertise and premises with the communities we serve.
Community Involvement
We encourage our employees to volunteer their time and expertise to charitable/non profit organizations.
Community Investment
We are committed to strengthening our communities by supporting organizations, charities, and events that share the values of our members, employees, and communities.
Helping Communities Thrive
As a member-owned organization, we care deeply about giving back to the communities in which we live and serve.
Each community has unique needs, so we carefully select donation and sponsorship opportunities that promote health, well-being, and support life-long learning.
Learn more about our Community Investment criteria:
- Arts and Culture
- Education
- Environment
- Health and Welfare
- Sports and Recreation
- Capital projects
- Contributing to strengthening the community, especially by encouraging the participation of diverse groups and individuals
- Building effective partnerships within the community
Donations & Sponsorships
Scholarships
Access Credit Union Scholarship
Valeyo Learning Grant Program
Access Credit Union members can apply for one of the ten $1,200 Learning Grants offered by our credit union partner, Valeyo. The application deadline is April 17, 2022.
Financial Literacy
We partner with Each One Teach One to give our employees, members, and the wider community the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial success.
Available Each One Teach One Workshops

Introduction to Basic Banking
- How to choose the right bank account for your needs
- How to make interest work for you — not against you
- Ways to reduce your account and transaction fees

Introduction to Basic Budgeting
- What a budget is and why should you create one
- Tips to help you reach your financial goals
- Ideas to help you adjust your spending

Why Filing Taxes in Canada is a Good Idea
- How income taxes are used
- Why it makes sense to file your tax return, even if you don’t owe money
- Benefits available to lower-income tax-payers in Canada

Credit Cards and Prepaid Cards
- Advantages and disadvantages of credit cards and prepaid cards
- Important things to look for in a prepaid card agreement
- How to figure out the real cost of using credit and prepaid cards

Loans You Don't Want
- How to calculate the real cost of ‘bad’ loans
- What you should know about payday and pawnshop loans
- The real cost of using credit card cash advances

Loans, Costs and Obligations
- How to decide what kind of loan is best for your needs
- How to understand payment terms and obligations
- How interest is calculated and why it matters

Debt Smarts
- Tips to manage your debt
- When it makes sense to get a consolidation loan
- The difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy

Building a Healthy Credit History
- Why your credit history matters to you
- Simple steps to build a good credit score
- What to do if you need to get yourself out of financial trouble

Identity Theft and Fraud Prevention
- How thieves steal and use your personal information
- Tips to keep your financial and personal information safe
- What to do if you’re the victim of fraud or identity theft

Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) & Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)
- The benefits of using RRSPs and TFSAs
- How to decide whether to invest in an RRSP, a TFSA or both
- The different kinds of RRSP and TFSA products (with no sales pitch!)

Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
- What an RESP is and how they work
- How to decide what kind of RESP is best for your family
- Free money to help grow your RESP

Understanding Contracts
- What makes a contract valid
- Things to watch for in a cellphone contract
- Why you should avoid rent-to-own contracts

Financial Wellness for Seniors
- What is seniors financial abuse?
- How to recognize if you or a loved one is being taken advantage of
- Advanced planning tools to protect yourself or loved ones

Home Readiness: Renting vs. Owning
- Is homeownership right for you
- How to plan for homeownership
- The upfront and ongoing costs of owning a home

The Cost of Home Ownership
- How a mortgage works
- The different types of mortgages
- How to save on your mortgage

Choosing the Right Home
- Choosing a prospective home that's right for you and your family
- Picking a home that meets your needs now and in the future
- The difference between buying a new and pre-owned home

Getting Professional Help to Buy a Home
- How to get great professional help when buying a home
- The roles and responsibilities of your mortgage broker, real estate agent, home inspector and other professionals
- What to look for - and avoid - when seeking professional home buying help

Introduction to Basic Banking
- How to choose the right bank account for your needs
- How to make interest work for you — not against you
- Ways to reduce your account and transaction fees

Introduction to Basic Budgeting
- What a budget is and why should you create one
- Tips to help you reach your financial goals
- Ideas to help you adjust your spending

Why Filing Taxes in Canada is a Good Idea
- How income taxes are used
- Why it makes sense to file your tax return, even if you don’t owe money
- Benefits available to lower-income tax-payers in Canada

Credit Cards and Prepaid Cards
- Advantages and disadvantages of credit cards and prepaid cards
- Important things to look for in a prepaid card agreement
- How to figure out the real cost of using credit and prepaid cards

Loans You Don't Want
- How to calculate the real cost of ‘bad’ loans
- What you should know about payday and pawnshop loans
- The real cost of using credit card cash advances

Loans, Costs and Obligations
- How to decide what kind of loan is best for your needs
- How to understand payment terms and obligations
- How interest is calculated and why it matters

Debt Smarts
- Tips to manage your debt
- When it makes sense to get a consolidation loan
- The difference between consumer proposal and bankruptcy

Building a Healthy Credit History
- Why your credit history matters to you
- Simple steps to build a good credit score
- What to do if you need to get yourself out of financial trouble

Identity Theft and Fraud Prevention
- How thieves steal and use your personal information
- Tips to keep your financial and personal information safe
- What to do if you’re the victim of fraud or identity theft

Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) & Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)
- The benefits of using RRSPs and TFSAs
- How to decide whether to invest in an RRSP, a TFSA or both
- The different kinds of RRSP and TFSA products (with no sales pitch!)

Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
- What an RESP is and how they work
- How to decide what kind of RESP is best for your family
- Free money to help grow your RESP

Understanding Contracts
- What makes a contract valid
- Things to watch for in a cellphone contract
- Why you should avoid rent-to-own contracts

Financial Wellness for Seniors
- What is seniors financial abuse?
- How to recognize if you or a loved one is being taken advantage of
- Advanced planning tools to protect yourself or loved ones

Home Readiness: Renting vs. Owning
- Is homeownership right for you
- How to plan for homeownership
- The upfront and ongoing costs of owning a home

The Cost of Home Ownership
- How a mortgage works
- The different types of mortgages
- How to save on your mortgage

Choosing the Right Home
- Choosing a prospective home that's right for you and your family
- Picking a home that meets your needs now and in the future
- The difference between buying a new and pre-owned home

Getting Professional Help to Buy a Home
- How to get great professional help when buying a home
- The roles and responsibilities of your mortgage broker, real estate agent, home inspector and other professionals
- What to look for - and avoid - when seeking professional home buying help
Community Involvement
We're happy to help out in our communities, and we encourage our employees to volunteer their time and expertise to charitable/non profit organizations.
Check out where you'll find Access staff volunteering in your vicinity. If you have an upcoming event you'd like to see Access participate in, let us know if we can help.