Our Impact

Living Our Values Together

Through cooperation we enable Atlantic credit unions and the communities we serve to
grow well by being resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.

Our three strategic pillars help us live our values and deliver our purpose. They represent the issues that are important for our communities and our business to succeed, and where we feel we can make the biggest impact.

About Us

Our values of fairness, trust and respect are central to who we are and what sets us apart from other financial institutions.

We are committed to living our values as we work to create a strong, thriving, and sustainable community of credit unions.

Our B Corp Commitment

We believe there is a better way to do business, one that has a purpose beyond profit.

That’s why in 2021 Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage became a Certified B CorporationTM, joining a global community of leaders committed to using business as a force for goodTM.

Read Our B Corp Impact Report

Financial Inclusion and Resilience

With a focus on education, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship, we work hard to ensure that all members of our communities have access to education and the financial tools and products they need to succeed.

  • Student Awards & Bursaries

    We are proud to partner with local educational institutions and our member credit unions to support the academic success of students in Atlantic Canada through scholarship and bursary programs.

  • Financial Literacy

    Through innovative financial products, sound advice, and collaboration with partner organizations we support credit unions to improve financial literacy across our region.

    Since 2016, we have joined credit unions across Canada to deliver the Each One. Teach One Program to build financial literacy in our communities.

  • Growing Entrepreneurship

    We work with like-minded organizations to offer unique programs that support small businesses and social enterprises, creating opportunities that allow entrepreneurs to prosper.

    For 20 years, we have partnered with the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, the Government of Nova Scotia, and participating credit unions to support the development and growth of enterprises in Nova Scotia through the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.

Investing in the
Sustainable Economy

With a focus on sustainable business and communities, responsible investment, and innovation, we are making sure that the way we do business—from our investments and financial products to managing our environmental footprint—helps our communities be financially and environmentally sustainable now and into the future.

  • Working Sustainably

    Through our partnership with Bullfrog Power, we offset the carbon emissions from the electricity we use in our corporate offices by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates that put energy from renewable sources like wind and solar onto the grid.

  • Increasing Affordable Housing

    Through our programs and partnerships, our subsidiary League Savings and Mortgage helps improve access to affordable housing in Atlantic Canada.

Growing the Co-operative Movement

We partner with organizations and initiatives that strengthen co-operatives and contribute to a robust co-operative movement in Atlantic Canada and around the world.

  • Collaborating with Regional Co-operative Councils

    Co-operative councils support co-operatives in all sectors through education, business development, and by representing our common interests to government and industry. We provide annual funding to support the mission and operations of the co-operative councils in Atlantic Canada and collaborate with the councils on joint initiatives that help our members and grow the co-operative movement.

  • Fostering Co-operative Leadership

    To ensure that our Atlantic credit union system stays strong now and into the future, we partner with organizations to engage, develop and support the upward mobility of emerging credit union leaders.

  • Regional Credit Union Awards

    Through our regional awards program we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of credit unions and individuals in the Atlantic credit union system that exemplify strong leadership and a commitment to our co-operative values.

Sustainability Reports

You can learn more about our integrated CSR strategy and initiatives in our Living Our Values Together Report.

The Coady Award

The Coady Award celebrates the many ways that credit unions give back to their communities.

Presented since 1954, the award is named in honour of Dr. Moses Coady, a pioneer in the co-operative movement whose vision of independence and fairness shaped co-operatives and communities in Atlantic Canada.

Each year, the Coady Award recognizes a credit union or caisse populaire that demonstrates exceptional leadership in the areas of co-operation, volunteerism, education and environmental sustainability.

Congratulations to the 2022 Coady Award recipient, OMISTA Credit Union!

A round badge in dark blue that reads Coady Award, Community Action, Credit Unions.

  • The Coady Award

    The Coady Award celebrates the many ways that credit unions give back to their communities.

    Presented since 1954, the award is named in honour of Dr. Moses Coady, a pioneer in the co-operative movement whose vision of independence and fairness shaped co-operatives and communities in Atlantic Canada.

    Each year, the Coady Award recognizes a credit union or caisse populaire that demonstrates exceptional leadership in the areas of co-operation, volunteerism, education and environmental sustainability.

    Congratulations to the 2023 Coady Award recipient, Acadian Credit Union!

A round badge in yellow that reads Emerging Leader Award, Credit Unions.

  • The Credit Unions Emerging Leader Award

    The Credit Unions Emerging Leader Award recognizes emerging leaders who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to the Atlantic credit union system.

    Presented in partnership with League Data, the Credit Unions Emerging Leader Award celebrates the accomplishments of emerging leaders to inspire others and encourage the development and career growth of the next generation of credit union leaders in Atlantic Canada.

    Congratulations to the 2023 Credit Unions Emerging Leader Award recipient, Shannon Kennedy – Consolidated Credit Union!

A round badge in dark blue that reads Excellence Award, Credit Unions.

  • The Credit Unions Excellence Award

    The Credit Unions Excellence Award recognizes inspiring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributed significantly to the development and strength of the credit union movement and co-operative sector, in Atlantic Canada and beyond.

    Presented in partnership with League Data, the Credit Unions Excellence Award celebrates extraordinary leadership within the Atlantic credit union system.

    Congratulations to the 2023 Credit Unions Excellence Award recipient, Cory Munden – Atlantic Edge Credit Union!

  • Each One. Teach One Financial Literacy Program

    Since 2016, we have supported Each One. Teach One (EOTO), a national credit union program that builds financial literacy in our communities. EOTO workshops provide valuable money-skills in easy-to-understand terms to help participants build their financial knowledge and resilience.

    Workshops are delivered in partnership with community organizations by volunteer credit union system employees who have certified as EOTO coaches. The workshops do not promote specific products or services. The sole goal of the program is to empower individuals to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families.

    What Financial Skills are Included in EOTO Sessions?

    The EOTO program contains workshops on several topics, such as basic banking, budgeting, taxes, RRSPs, understanding credit and building a healthy credit history, credit cards, financial wellness for seniors and fraud prevention. These topics can be combined to suit the needs of your group.

    In addition to facilitated sessions, the Each One. Teach One program also offers online modules that provide a high-level introduction to some of the most popular workshop topics: 

    • Introduction to Basic Banking
    • Why Filing Taxes in Canada is a Good Idea
    • Loans: Costs and Obligations
    • Debt Smarts
    • Building a Healthy Credit History

  • Student Awards and Bursaries

    Atlantic Credit Unions Bursary Program

    Atlantic Central partners with credit unions to offer numerous bursaries to post-secondary students in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

    Applications are made directly through the respective college or university. Please visit the websites below for more information on eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply.

    College of the North Atlantic
    Dalhousie University
    Holland College
    Memorial University of Newfoundland
    New Brunswick Community College
    Nova Scotia Community College
    St. Francis Xavier University

    Credit Union Scholarships & Bursaries

    Many individual credit unions offer bursaries and student awards to their membership and communities. Note: most of these scholarships, bursaries and awards require that the student have some affiliation with the credit union, either by being a member or being related to a member.

    To learn more about scholarship, bursary and award opportunities through your local credit union, please visit their website. Click here to find the credit union nearest you.