Modernizing Finance with Community at Heart

Celebrating 75 Years of Service, Innovation, and Relationship Building

The Winnipeg Police Credit Union (WPCU) stands out as an organization that holds a steadfast commitment to its members while executing its vision for progressive growth.

WPCU focuses on several initiatives that drive its development on multiple levels, but technology is especially important.

It continues to invest in innovative technologies and practices that reduce waste and improve efficiency for members.

Such advancements cater to members’ evolving expectations for convenience and accessibility, particularly those balancing the demanding schedules of shift work and public service.

Simultaneously, WPCU’s physical footprint is also set to grow, with expansion plans centered around its satellite branch. This move aims to provide more space for personal connections while adapting to localized membership growth.

WPCU’s leaders prioritize functional work environments for staff, ensuring that the organization maintains a strong relationship-driven approach. To honor that, financial literacy remains a vital topic that members are continuously educated about.

Engaging members through education on borrowing, saving, and budgeting empowers them to make informed financial decisions, benefiting both their personal lives and the community as a whole.

So, the organization integrates these lessons into recruit presentations and community outreach, further cementing its role as an advocate for financial well-being.

The Winnipeg Police Credit Union has cultivated a thriving membership that feels supported, empowered, and connected.

It is a vibrant organization that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology, warm personal interactions, and meaningful education to meet its members’ needs—one satisfied member at a time.

A Mission Dedicated to Those Who Protect

The Winnipeg Police Credit Union operates as a boutique-style financial institution with a focused mission: supporting the financial well-being of Winnipeg’s police community and those connected to it.

Sworn officers, civilian staff, their families, and extended emergency service workers—such as firefighters, paramedics, and correctional officers—are all warmly welcomed into this close-knit financial ecosystem.

The credit union’s principle is to provide comprehensive and empathetic financial solutions for those who serve and protect.

Recognizing the immense pressures and unique challenges faced by first responders, WPCU’s approach combines personalized service with an understanding of the high-stakes roles its members fulfill.

“It’s very much a member first. We try to convey that to all of our representatives who work with members. Do what’s right for the member,” says Chief Executive Officer Cal Berzuk.

Unlike larger financial institutions bound by rigid policies and formulas, WPCU prides itself on its flexibility. The ability to make decisions locally allows the institution to tailor solutions that address the distinct needs of its members.

Whether it’s offering customized loan qualifications for young recruits or providing tailored savings options for cadets, WPCU guarantees that its services align with the financial realities of its clientele.

“Sometimes that means adjusting policy or obtaining Board approval to create tailored solutions. Our goal is to serve the member’s best interest, even if it requires stepping outside traditional guidelines,” Berzuk says.

This member-centric philosophy extends to specialized products like the newly launched First Home Savings Account, adult student accounts with waived service fees, and programs designed to ease the financial transition for recruits and cadets.

“We understand that while people are in school full time, they may not be able to pay a monthly fee for their account services. So we recently developed these accounts and are launching them as we speak,” says Director of Advice and Service Experience, Serena Goebel.

The pressures faced by WPCU’s members extend beyond the job itself, often affecting their families and loved ones. WPCU recognizes this and has cultivated a supportive environment that addresses these challenges.

For example, board members, many of whom are retired police officers or civilian staff, personally engage with recruit classes and cadet groups to share insights and guidance.

“This credit union is a safe place where members know they are supported. Our team truly understands the tough jobs they do and the stresses they face, making it easier for us to offer financial services that align with their experiences,” Berzuk says.

The Advantages of Advisory-Driven Financial Guidance

This deep understanding of the membership also influences WPCU’s mortgage offerings. Beyond adhering to the National Housing Act regulations, the credit union demonstrates flexibility with conventional mortgage financing.

By considering future pay raises and career advancements, WPCU provides realistic advice and solutions to help members achieve homeownership without overextending their finances.

The emphasis is on delivering personalized advice rather than meeting sales quotas or pushing products. Advisors focus on understanding each member’s financial goals and challenges to provide thoughtful, tailored recommendations.

“We really dig deep in our discussions to understand what our members really want to do before giving advice and potentially following through with pre-approval,” Goebel says.

WPCU’s priority is ensuring members fully understand their financial options. As Berzuk explains, “We’re not focused on product sales but on giving great advice and service.”

This approach resonates deeply in today’s economic climate, where high inflation and housing affordability remain pressing concerns.

To ease those concerns, WPCU goes beyond traditional banking by prioritizing financial literacy among its members.

The credit union frequently educates recruits and cadets on managing credit, understanding interest, and avoiding costly financial mistakes.

Through presentations and tools like cost-of-borrowing calculators, members gain insights into the long-term impact of their financial decisions.

Many members, especially younger ones, sometimes focus solely on monthly payments without understanding the total amount they owe. So, WPCU strives to teach them about compound interest and its implications—both positive and negative.

The credit union further compounds its educational efforts with a member-focused strategy based on offering competitive rates on loans and financial products.

Whether it’s car loans or consolidation loans, the credit union prides itself on providing some of the lowest rates available.

“Our pricing is very thin because we have low-risk members and minimal write-offs,” Berzuk states. “This allows us to offer consolidation loans at around 6%, compared to the 10–12% charged elsewhere, and car loans as low as 4.99%.”

This approach aligns with WPCU’s philosophy of prioritizing members’ financial well-being over rapid profit growth and does an excellent job of fostering its members’ trust and loyalty.

Finally, recognizing the demands of shift work and the need for accessibility, WPCU has embraced technology to enhance member experience.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many of the credit union’s solution timelines, and fortunately, online accessibility was one of the areas most impacted.

“We have a mobile app for online banking,” says Chief Risk Officer Heather Kozubski. “When we introduced the mobile app back in 2018, we quickly became one of the top credit unions in terms of mobile access when comparing that asset to other credit unions.”

From a user-friendly mobile app to online banking and DocuSign capabilities, the credit union has the right support to help members manage their finances conveniently, regardless of their schedules.

An advisor can conduct a virtual appointment, update the loan origination system, and finalize the process via electronic documents. The loan is advanced and stored in WPCU’s document management system without the member needing to visit in person.

This innovation proves invaluable for members with demanding schedules, such as those working rotating shifts in law enforcement or healthcare. These advancements have not only increased efficiency but also strengthened WPCU’s ability to provide personalized service in a digital age.

Celebrating 75 Years of Service and Preparing for Expansion

2024 marked a milestone for WPCU as it celebrated its 75th anniversary. The event, held at Winnipeg’s historic Millennium Centre, brought together long-time members, city officials, and police leadership to honor the credit union’s legacy.

Attendees received a commemorative challenge coin—a nod to the military and police tradition of using these tokens to build camaraderie. The coin symbolized WPCU’s pride in its heritage and community connections.

Adding to the significance, the deputy mayor announced that the coin would be included in Winnipeg’s 150th-anniversary time capsule.

Challenge coins are a meaningful part of police and military culture. So, the credit union’s leaders are thrilled to have created one for this special occasion and see it become part of the city’s history.

In the future, WPCU plans to make significant investments in enhancing its digital banking capabilities.

New additions and improvements will be made to its online banking platforms and online account openings, and begin offering digital loan applications.

“Developing our online presence is a top priority for the next two years,” said Berzuk. “We want to ensure our members can access the services they need from anywhere.”

These advancements aim to complement the organization’s existing physical expansions, creating a seamless blend of digital and in-person service options for its growing membership base.

Since opening a second branch adjacent to Winnipeg’s police headquarters in 2018, the organization has seen significant growth in that location.

Plans are underway to expand this branch by increasing office space from two to four offices, enabling the team to meet rising demand.

“Over the next year, we plan to increase our staffing in that branch by 50 to 75%,” Berzuk confirms, explaining that this expansion is essential as more members utilize the services offered at this convenient location.

The Winnipeg Police Credit Union’s emphasis on creating accessible, well-designed spaces demonstrates its understanding of members’ needs while maintaining a personalized approach to service.

This is why the WPCU has garnered a reputation as a trusted partner in its members’ financial journeys. It will guarantee that it remains a cornerstone of the Winnipeg community for years to come.

At a Glance

Who: The Winnipeg Police Credit Union (WPCU)

What: A boutique-style financial institution dedicated to serving the unique financial needs of Winnipeg’s police officers, other emergency responders, civilian staff, and their families and supporters.

Where: WPCU is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and operates two branches, including a growing satellite branch adjacent to Winnipeg’s police headquarters.

Website: https://www.wpcu.ca