Choosing a Locally-Owned and Community Based Financial Institution
I’ve written a lot about my journey with this blog, from its humble beginnings with my first ever I Should Start a Blog post, to my recent 2-Year Blogiversary where I talked about the journey in becoming a full-time blogger. In the middle of all that I realized I wanted to turn take my work seriously and starting a small business became part of my direction and plan.
After securing the name, I then registered Simple Local Life with the NS Registry of Joint Stocks and the next natural step in starting a small business here in Nova Scotia, was to open a commercial bank account. I knew right away where I wanted to do that and set up an appointment at the Lahave River Credit Union.
I used their easy Contact Form on their website, asked for an appointment and I was in the next day to sit down with Tim Eisener, their full-time Commercial Accounts Officer. We chatted about my needs and some future plans and I walked away feeling confident and secure in this next important step of setting up my business.
You can watch our Facebook Live where Tim and I chat a bit about the Lahave River Credit Union and what they offer their members here…
Our family have been members of the Lahave River Credit Union for many years. Along with personal accounts, my husband has his business accounts there and was also on their Board of Directors for a time. My son also became a member and opened his first bank account at the Credit Union when he was 14. The philosophy and mission of credit unions appealed to us all both as small business owners and community members.
Being a member meant you are more than just another customer, you are actually an owner! You vote for and elect, the voluntary members of their Board of Directors and all decisions are made locally by people who live in and understand our communities. Decisions being made and led by people who live, work and understand our area…how great is that!
I think sometimes there can be misconceptions about what a credit union is and what they offer. They are in fact, a full-service financial institution that can help you with a long list of products and services . Commercial and personal accounts, mortgages, loans, lines of credit, RRSP’s, RESP’s, online-banking, retirement planning, investments…and more!
Not always easy to find these days, they also provide friendly, personalized, old-fashioned service where everyone seems to know your name. I have to admit that I tend to do most of my banking online, but I actually feel more inclined to stop in and do my banking in-person since I opened my commercial account. That personal touch is nice when we can spend so much of our time behind a screen. It’s those little things that make a big difference especially when it comes to dealing with your finances.
If you’re in the process of starting a small business or have been curious about what banking local can look like, this is a perfect time to stop in and check out the Lahave River Credit Union . They are currently running a fantastic promotion for new members! From now until the end of November, all new members will get 3 months FREE on an account package and a ballot to win one of 6 great prizes. Everything from a barbecue, a Keurig, a Black and Decker drill…and more! If you’re a member already and you refer someone to join, you get a ballot to win prizes too.
I’m really excited to be starting this new series on Simple Local Life in partnership with the Lahave River Credit Union. Over the next few months I will be sharing more of what the Credit Union offers its members, talking about how they re-invest in our local economy, and showing you some behind the scenes stories of some of their members and their community involvement. As someone who loves talking “local”… talking about banking local… just makes sense. 🙂
*This post is sponsored by the Lahave River Credit Union but all opinions are my own.
