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MEDIA CENTER

First West aims to create positive change for members, communities, and planet with improved ESG rating

LANGLEY, B.C. –First West Credit Union has continued its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially conscious organization by engaging  Morningstar Sustainalytics, a leading global provider of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) research, ratings, and data , for a second consecutive year to obtain a formal ESG risk rating.

“Being a financial co-operative means our members have chosen to align themselves with us because we have a shared interest of making our world and communities a better place,” says Launi Skinner, CEO of First West Credit Union. “Although this has always been our mission and always will be, receiving a formal ESG rating helps us confirm our organization is having the intended impact and helps us identify where we can improve.”

This second annual rating placed First West in the upper echelon of global financial institutions with a rating of 16.7 “low,” indicating the organization’s low exposure to ESG risks and that they are managing their environment, social, and governance risks well. This is an improvement over last year’s rating of 18.6 “low”.

Some areas that helped form First West’s strong ESG rating included their community investment programs, providing responsible investment options to members, having a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity and ensuring members’ information is safe and secure.

“Although the elements that go into forming this rating are incredibly complex, the crux actually remains quite simple—enabling us to use our business as a force for good, now and into the future,” says Skinner. “Ultimately, we believe it’s incredibly important to walk the walk when it comes to ESG and be transparent and accountable in the work that is being done.”

For more information on this rating, visit: Chttps://www.sustainalytics.com/esg-rating/first-west-credit-union/2003363290

Company Information

About First West Credit Union

First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. Led by Launi Skinner, First West is one of Canada’s largest credit unions with nearly $18.6 billion in total assets and assets under administration, more than 253,000 members and approximately 1,250 team members. It operates 45 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands. Visit firstwestcu.ca for more information on First West Credit Union.

Media Contacts

Josh Juhlke

Communications Manager
c: 604.309.6066
jjuhlke@firstwestcu.ca