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The Northern Birch advantage: growing a thriving community 

Northern Birch Credit Union is here to support you on your journey towards financial well-being. The information in this article is provided as an educational overview. Each member’s financial journey is unique. We encourage you to talk to us – we can help you reach your financial goals.

This year we celebrate the 65th and 70th anniversaries, respectively, of our founding credit unions that merged to become Northern Birch Credit Union. That’s a fantastic milestone! Our mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers imagined a Canadian financial institution that focused on the financial health of the community. 

To continue to support the financial health of our members, we are committed to maintaining low fees, competitive interest rates and personal service. We are purposeful about serving our community well. As a credit union, our shareholders and investors are also owners –people who are working hard to build a better future for their children and grandchildren. 

We are here for you – every day.

As we have grown, we have changed, responding to the needs of today’s families. But our vision has not changed. 

We are here for you – every day.

Our team has put together a few tips to help you take control of your money, making it work harder for you. These are practical, everyday habits that can help you increase your financial well-being. 

  1. Know the service fees you’re paying

We could translate this into: read the fine print. Most financial institutions charge monthly fees for chequing and savings accounts. $20 a month may seem like a small fee, but it adds up. 

There are a lot of offers for high-interest savings accounts these days. Read the ads carefully and understand the long-term benefits of the offer. 

Northern Birch does not charge monthly fees for chequing and savings accounts. We do not require a minimum balance and we offer many benefits like five free Interac e-Transfers® every month and no limit on the number of transactions on chequing accounts. 

2. Choose high-yield savings accounts

    There are a lot of offers for high-interest savings accounts these days. Read the ads carefully and understand the long-term benefits of the offer. 

    For instance, 5% interest is appealing and many financial institutions are offering a high interest rate for a short period, like two to three months. However, make sure you check out their continuing rate. Many drop significantly after the promotion ends.

    3. Online banking and mobile app

      One of the biggest advantages of online banking is the ability to access your accounts anytime, day or night. You can track your spending and deposits in real-time, keeping on top of your finances and deposit cheques, make Interac e-Transfers®, set up regular bill payments and transfer between your accounts easily from wherever you are. 

      4. Security

        We prioritize the safety and security of our members and continue to implement new security measures, such as two-step verification and personal information masking, to protect members while using our mobile banking app or banking online. Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a unique code sent to their email or smartphone. The Masking Personal Information feature conceals personal information such as credit card numbers and Social Insurance Numbers, preventing unauthorized individuals from viewing or stealing personal information. 

        Our goal is to make everyday banking easy, providing the products and tools you need.

        By implementing robust security measures, our members enjoy the simplicity and convenience of online or mobile banking knowing we are always working to help keep their financial information safe.

        5. Reduce small fees

          Transaction costs at ATMs vary from $1.00 to $9.00 across Canada. Planning when you need cash and taking it from a transaction fee-free ATM saves you money (and worries). Northern Birch belongs to a Canada-wide network of ATMs that are ding free®. That means you pay NO transaction fees. 

          Review the various service fees at your financial institution. With a little planning, you can reduce your overall fee payment.

          6. Take advantage of personalized service

            We’d like to get to know you better and understand your current situation and your financial goals. Our goal is to make everyday banking easy, providing the products and tools you need.

            Northern Birch places a high value on getting to know each member. We are a small but strong financial institution. We are well-equipped to serve you in your everyday banking needs from daily chequing and savings to mortgages and investment products. 

            Our difference is that we get to know you first. We are available to talk to you, answer your questions and help you make informed financial decisions. 

            Everyday banking is an essential part of our lives. Discover the Northern Birch advantage for your banking needs. Call us, visit one of our three branches, or visit our website.

            (416)465-4659

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