Manitoba's Top Employers

22 MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2014 ASSINIBOINE CREDIT UNION Leaving a legacy as an exceptional employer of choice "That's probably the best demonstration of how diverse we are." For the Free Press It's easy to see that the workforce is engaged. Employees volunteer for the Assiniboine Credit Union is committed to Community Grants Program and making a difference — for its employees, recommend who they believe should its members and its community. receive grants. They are given time off to This commitment is clear, since the participate in community initiatives, such financial co-operative has been named one as Habitat for Humanity, LITE (Local of Manitoba's Top Employers yet again. In Investment Toward Employment) and the fact, Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU) has United Way. received local, national and international To keep communication open, the recognition over the years for its unique senior management team embarks on a way of doing business. series of roadshows each year. Every Marking a milestone, 2013 is ACU's 70th employee is invited to learn about the anniversary. It is also the final year for longsuccesses of the past year and the plans serving president and CEO Al Morin. After for the upcoming year. After that, the floor 33 years with the company, Morin will step is open for discussion. aside at year-end to welcome Kevin Sitka At least once a year, employees as the new president and CEO. complete an anonymous online survey. "It's quite an honour to receive this The results show that employees are recognition as one of Manitoba's Top proud to work for ACU because of its Employers in my final year," Morin said. mission, vision and values. "We pride ourselves on being an employer Employees are also proud of ACU's of choice, and this award validates the work environmental commitment. The we've done." company realizes that long-term social In 2012, ACU was the second Canadian Kevin Sitka, ACU's Incoming CEO (left) and Al Morin, ACU's Outgoing CEO. and economic well-being are tied to financial institution invited to join the Global Photo by Darcy Finley environmental well-being. As a result, Alliance for Banking on Values, following ACU gives consideration to potential an obsession to build a culture of respect, engagement, B.C.'s Vancity. It joined a network of the world's leading environmental impacts when making business decisions. diversity and inclusion. financial institutions committed to triple bottom-line "Our employees feel particularly proud when we are If you walk into any branch today, you'll see a group of accountability — with a focus on people, planet and well-trained employees with excellent salaries, benefits recognized for our good work," Morin said. "It's another factor prosperity. that contributes to a sense of pride and ownership at "Our vision is rooted in a commitment to making a and pensions. Assiniboine." You'll also see a workforce that enjoys flexible hours to difference," Morin said. "Simply put, ACU respects people, Under Morin's leadership, ACU has become Canada's and that means focusing on our members first, serving accommodate a balance between work and family life. ACU eighth-largest credit union. Since he became CEO in 1997, people who are not well served by more traditional financial offers a robust variable compensation program, generous ACU has grown from eight branches and $350 million in institutions, offering fair and meaningful employment to our health-spending accounts, and training and career assets to 24 branches and $3.5 billion in assets. workforce, and using our resources and partnerships to help development opportunities. Gender equality is evident at ACU will continue to offer employees a great place to work both the management level and on the board of directors. build self-sufficient communities." in the future as incoming CEO Kevin Sitka brings to the The mergers of Assiniboine, Vantis and Astra credit unions As well, you'll notice a diverse workforce that reflects the organization years of experience as the chief operating in 2007 and Buffalo in 2008 resulted in a workforce of nearly community it serves. officer of Steinbach Credit Union. Sitka assumes the top 600 employees serving 110,000 members. At ACU, it became "At ACU, there are 42 languages spoken," Morin added. position on January 1, 2014. By Jennifer McFee nge a lot by changing your bank. You can cha Make the change to one of Manitoba's Top 25 Employers. Make the change to local. Join us. Zaila, Proud ACU Employee changeyourbank.ca

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