Business View Magazine Feb 2023

111 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 “It’s our community inspiration framework, how we engage with local partners and communities to live this out. It’s the fact that we pay our staff members and contractors at least a living wage. It is how our products are designed. We don’t just do loans and mortgages. We allow our members to participate and live out their values through our products. It isn’t just a slogan, it’s truly embedded in the ethos and in the mindset of the credit union.” Through its community inspiration framework, Kindred channels its efforts into three main areas of focus: financial empowerment, community food security, and safe and affordable housing. “It’s not just about giving financially, it’s also about how we use our networks to help support our community partners,” says Rebecca Smith, Kindred’s vice-president of engagement and values. “How do we actually make them true partners and really build relationships with them? How do we engage our staff? How do we engage our physical resources like our meeting rooms in K INDRED CREDI T UNION We trade in dollars and sense. • A proactive, disciplined investment process • Investment managers from around the world • 35+ years of responsible investing For more information: 1.888.809.3333 or visit neiinvestments.com Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus and/or Fund Facts before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. NEI Investments is a registered trademark of Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. Northwest & Ethical Investments Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aviso Wealth Inc. (“Aviso”). Aviso is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aviso Wealth Limited Partnership (“Aviso Wealth LP”), which in tum is owned 50% by Desjardins Financial Holdings Inc. (“Desjardins”) and 50% by a limited partnership owned by the five Provincial Credit Union Centrals (the “Centrals”) and The CUMIS Group Limited. our branches or at our head office and things like that? It’s a more holistic approach to how we build and come alongside our partners.” They do things like partnering with faith communities and nonprofits, which Smith says are “often overlooked and underbanked,” to offer support, as well as ensuring Kindred’s employees are given at least a living wage, even as that wage continues to increase. Kindred also offers purpose-driven products and services that help members give back. That includes Kindred’s Member Assistance Services (MAS), which helps create links between members of the community who need help, and those who have the help to give. MAS offers two options – Crisis Care GICs and loans and Partnership GICs and loans. Crisis Care loans offer temporary relief at reduced interest rates to Kindred members who are experiencing temporary financial distress. Members