Connecting to Community

1
Connecting to Community

• Community Economic Development
• The Meridian Commitment and Approach
• November 8, 2008

2
Some background

• One of Canadas largest credit unions
• 214,000 members
• 5.2 billion in assets
• 900 employees
• 44 retail branches
• 8 commercial banking centres
• One of Canadas top 100 employers
• 60-year tradition of community involvement and
  local economic development

3
Commitment to Community

• Ingrained in our corporate culture
• Reflected in our Vision
• Reinvent neighbourhood banking
• Employees see dual role
• Deliver exceptional level of personalized
  financial services
• Build strong, vibrant, more inclusive communities
  
• PLAY VIDEO

4
Ability to innovate

• We actively look for new ideas to build
  communities we serve
• Monthly reports on economic conditions by
  in-house economist Robin Eaglesham
• Realize The Dream
• Meridian Kids Quest Afterschool Program
• Leadership Niagara (Think Fresh, Buy Local
  Volunteen Niagara)

5
Building Stronger Neighbourhoods
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Building Stronger Neighbourhoods
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Community Investment

• Good Neighbour Program
• 4 of pre-tax earnings invested in communities
• 1 million a year
• More than 700 projects funded since 2006
• Good Neighbour Scholarships
• 52 awarded based on leadership in community
  involvement and social responsibility
• Volunteer Matching Program
• Over 50 organizations posted opportunities to
  partner with MCU staff
• Day of Caring
• MCU Volunteers
• at all events

8
Community Investment

• Local Decision Making
• All GNP investment decisions up to 3K made at
  local level
• Investments over 3K made by GNP Allocations
  Committee
• Requests evaluated on ability to strengthen
  neighbourhood vitality
• In Kind Support
• Free printing services for registered charities
• Free meeting spaces and real estate for
• not for profit groups
• United Way Loaned Rep Program
• Employee volunteers
• for local events and activities

9
Retail Banking

• Reinventing Neighbourhood Banking
• Local decision-making
• Treat every member as a real person with unique
  needs
• Financial coaching for life
• Financial planning and advice
• for all Members, regardless
• of income or where
• you are in life

10
Commercial Banking

• Making a major contribution to local economic
  development
• One-to-one account team management
• Consistency and predictability
• In-depth understanding of local business needs
• Local decision-making
• Decisions made on case-by-case basis, not on
  health of the sector
• As we grow, we are doing more
• Options for Homes
• Specialists in Agricultural Sector

11
Recognition

• Outstanding Corporate Achievement Awards
  Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation
• United Way Community Builder Award
• IABC Bobbie Resnick Award for Corporate Social
  Responsibility
• Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce Community
  Service Award
• Big Brothers Big Sisters National Medal of Honour
• Innovator Spirit Award On Co-op
• Orangeville Chamber of Commerce Woman in Pursuit
  of Excellence Award Barbara Gardiner, Branch
  Manager Orangeville
• Woman of Distinction Award for Grey Bruce
  Counties Erin Zorzi, Branch Manager Port
  Elgin

12
Looking ahead

• Building Stronger Communities Economic Forums
• Facilitated meetings with more than 150 community
  leaders in five centres
• Dozens of ideas on how to build the community
• Social
• Environmental
• Economic
• Continue to build on what were doing now
• Employee commitment
• Volunteerism
• Top 100 Employers
• Good Neighbour Program
• Reinvent neighbourhood banking while making our
  communities stronger, more vibrant and more
  inclusive