Welcome to New Union Project đź‘Ť
Who We Are
We're a fresh community of financial enthusiasts from beautiful British Columbia. Brought together by a shared passion for transparent, community-first banking, our team launched New Union Project in early 2025 to help everyday Canadians navigate the world of credit unions. We saw the need for trustworthy, jargon-free insights—especially when choosing a credit union—from a simple user's point of view.
Our mission is to put members first by giving you clear, honest information about credit unions in Canada. Unlike traditional banking guides, everything here is written by real members and passionate researchers. We dig deep into what matters: rates, services, and how member benefits stack up for people like you.
We're independent, curious, and committed. None of us work for a bank or credit union, and we're not swayed by industry advertising. We want to break down barriers and make cooperative banking understandable and accessible for everyone in British Columbia and beyond. 🎉
What We Offer
At New Union Project, we focus on what simple users want to know:
- In-depth blog posts explaining how credit unions work and why they're valuable banking alternatives
- Honest credit-union reviews comparing personal loans, mortgage rates, lines of credit, and credit-card offers
- Up-to-date tutorials on joining credit unions in BC, switching accounts, or maximizing member benefits
- Side-by-side financial products comparison guides for savings, chequing, term deposits, RRSPs, and more
- Product catalogues for financial services unique to Canada's cooperative banking sector
- News and trend reports highlighting new features, community events, and the impact of local credit unions
Every article is written in plain language. No finance degree required—just real, reliable information for making confident decisions.
Who It's For
Are you tired of jargon-heavy banking sites? Looking to compare mortgage rates, credit-card offers, or find out which credit unions offer the lowest personal loan rates? Our resources are designed for:
- First-time bank account owners in BC
- Families seeking fairer alternatives to big banks
- Seniors and newcomers wanting accessible, local banking
- Anyone frustrated by hidden fees and complex terms
- Community-minded users wanting their banking to make a difference in local neighborhoods
Whether you're switching banks, comparing financial products, or exploring cooperative banking for the first time, we're here to help.
Where We Operate
New Union Project was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, but we research and write about all Canadian credit unions. Our main focus is the Lower Mainland—Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and beyond. We regularly spotlight BC-based credit unions like Vancity, Coast Capital, Prospera, and BlueShore.
Content and reviews are all in English, tailored for BC residents, but useful to credit union seekers across Canada.
Why We Matter
We believe simple users deserve clear, focused guidance on cooperative banking. Our difference is rooted in:
- Local insight – We live and bank in BC
- Recent experience – Every guide is updated as of 2025
- Honest reviews – No paid rankings, ads, or confusing jargon
- Transparency – We disclose sources and methodologies for all financial product comparisons
- Community-first approach – We share how credit union profits go back to local causes
We're passionate about empowering you—whether you're picking your first chequing account or transferring your entire mortgage to a not-for-profit lender.
BC Credit Union Comparison at a Glance (As of 2025)
| Feature | Credit Unions in BC | Big Banks in BC |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Mortgage Rate (5yr fixed)* | 5.19% | 5.44% |
| Average Credit Card Annual Fee** | $0–$100 | $30–$150 |
| Member Ownership | Yes (1 member = 1 vote) | No |
| Community Investment*** | 6% of annual profits (avg.) | ~1.5% of profits |
| Branches (2024)**** | 370+ (all BC) | 700+ (all BC) |
| Deposit Insurance Provider | CUDIC (up to unlimited)***** | CDIC ($100,000 max) |
| Member Satisfaction****** | 86% | 65% |
*Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Jan 2025
**Source: Credit Unions of BC – Fee Guide 2025
***Source: Vancity 2024 Community Impact Report
****Source: Financial Institutions Commission of BC, 2024
*****CUDIC insures all deposits with no upper limit at BC credit unions.
******Source: Ipsos Canadian Banking Study, 2024
Our Expertise and Trustworthiness
Every review and tutorial is fact-checked by local financial planners and cooperative banking members. In 2024, two of our founding writers earned the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's Financial Literacy Leader designation.
We proudly partner with the Canadian Credit Union Association to stay on top of industry trends, and our resource guides have been highlighted in The Tyee's roundup of independent BC finance blogs.
We never sell your data. Your trust is our top priority.
Always Up-to-Date
Our content is reviewed and updated for accuracy to reflect 2025's latest rates, products, and regulatory changes. If credit unions in BC add new features or member perks, you'll find it here first. Stay tuned for our upcoming Community Events Calendar, launching March 2025, and new "Ask an Expert" live Q&A sessions.
Connect with Us
Questions about choosing a credit union, joining as a new member, or comparing banking alternatives? We love hearing from you. 🏒 Head to our Contact page to send us a message or request a guide topic. We respond within 48 hours.