Friday, March 24, 2023

UCU Youth Unlimited Account – Much More Than a Savings Account

 

The UCU Youth Unlimited Account provides your child with more than just a bank account – it will help your child learn about the importance of saving, the benefits of earning compound interest and the many lessons of financial literacy.

Available for Canadian citizens or permanent residents up to the age of 24 who attend school full time, this account will provide all the banking services your child will need to develop lifelong healthy financial habits.

UCU Youth Unlimited Account Benefits

Account Features

As your child grows and matures, UCU automatically adds new benefits to the youth account at three distinct age points.

Common Account Benefits:

  • Free deposits and withdrawals
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • No minimum balance required
  • Preferred interest on the first $1,000 

Age 11 - Benefits Added:

  • Free UCU Youth Unlimited Debit Card
  • Free deposits and withdrawals at UCU & The EXCHANGE Network ATMs
  • 3 Free ATM withdrawals at any bank 

Age 16 - Benefits Added:

  • Free personalized cheques
  • Free unlimited chequing
  • Free bill payments

Age 18 - Benefits Added:

  • UCU Mastercard (upon approval)
  • Student Line of Credit (upon approval)
  • Opportunities to apply for UCU scholarships

Convenient Banking

  • Three ways to bank - visit a branch, use the nearest UCU or Exchange Network ATM or use UCU Online banking
  • Sign up for ucublu, our online-only bank account
  • Download the UCU APP and use a phone or tablet to conduct banking transactions 

Financial Literacy

With a UCU Youth Unlimited Account, your child will gain a better understanding of finances. They will watch their money grow with the benefit of compound interest, learn to use a debit card responsibly and get a head start on better money management.

Develop a Relationship With UCU

The Youth Account will provide a springboard for your child to develop a personal relationship with UCU Branch staff.  This will demystify the banking experience and give your child access to products and services for students such as UCU Student Lines of Credit which is available to eligible post-secondary students to help cover the cost of education and living expenses. Read more about UCU Student Lines of Credit and how your child could benefit.

Eligible for UCU Scholarships

Every year, UCU offers a selection of scholarships for post-secondary students geared towards a specific area of study.  To be eligible, a student must be a UCU Member for at least two years.  Opening a UCU Youth Unlimited Account for your child will put them in a position to earn valuable scholarship money in the future. Read more about the UCU Scholarships program and how it could help your child.

To open a Youth Unlimited Account please visit your nearest UCU Branch.

Monday, February 27, 2023

UCU is offering six different scholarships to help our student members achieve their academic goals


We support students in our community by continuing to invest in their education. Over the past 14 years, UCU has given out more than $170,000 in scholarship awards to post-secondary students, recognizing their academic excellence and leadership roles within the Ukrainian community.

UCU scholarships help offset the rising cost of post-secondary education.

With the cost of post-secondary education skyrocketing, including tuition, textbooks and living expenses, UCU scholarships may help reduce the financial burden many of our student members face.

Available Scholarships

If you are a student enrolled in a post-secondary institution and a member of UCU for at least two years, then you are eligible to apply for the UCU scholarship that is geared toward your field of study.

UCU Michael Rebryk Memorial Scholarship

  • One award of $2,500
  • For students studying in the field of sports medicine and physical education or the in the field of the performing arts (music, dance, drama etc.) and demonstrating community involvement

UCU Wasyl Sytnyk Memorial Scholarship

  • One award of $2,500
  • For students studying in the field of business, finance, banking, wealth management and demonstrating community involvement

UCU Eugene Roman Scholarship

  • One award of $2,000
  • For students studying in a field that will lead to a career in the technology sector and demonstrating community involvement

UCU Community Leadership Scholarship

  • Multiple awards of $1,000
  • For students studying in various programs in a post-secondary educational institution and demonstrating community involvement

UCU Board Chair’s Scholarship

  • One award of $2,000
  • For students studying in various fields of Ukrainian studies and demonstrating community involvement

UCU New Pathway Journalism Fellowship

  • One award of $3,000
  • For students enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a post-secondary field of study that will lead to a career in journalism and who demonstrate community involvement

Easy Online Application Process

We simplified the online application process making it easier to apply to one of the available scholarships.

1.    Visit the UCU website www.ukrainiancu.com/community/scholarships  and select the scholarship that best matches your academic field of study

2.    Follow the step-by-step instructions and upload all required documents

3.    Submit your application by the March 31, 2023 deadline.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Message from UCU on the First Anniversary of the War in Ukraine

 


February 24, 2023

 

We mark the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine with great sadness and even greater determination.

On February 24, 2022, the world watched in horror as russian forces began their full-scale invasion of Ukraine launching land, sea and air attacks on key strategic areas including the nation’s capital, Kyiv. The campaign of destruction widened with russia targeting and destroying key Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. We viewed shocking reports of war crimes from the frontlines showing the heinous brutality of russian forces who tortured and murdered thousands of Ukrainian POWs and civilians, including innocent children.

Unimaginable violence, destruction and death – all in an attempt to wipe out the Ukrainian nation. But Ukraine has stood strong in the face of russian aggression. With the support of the international community and the grit and determination of the Ukrainian people, Ukraine will not be defeated.

Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited has remained steadfast in its support of Ukraine. We passed a resolution during last year’s Annual General Meeting condemning the russian federation for its unprovoked war against Ukraine, appealing to world leaders to take bolder action against russia and pledging to assist Ukraine to rid the country of russian occupiers.

We worked quickly to help displaced Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada. We put together the Welcome Ukraine program for newly arriving Ukrainians offering no-fee bank accounts and access to financial services they may not have been able to receive. To date, thousands of newly arriving Ukrainians have chosen UCU as their financial institution and are receiving personalized service and guidance from our employees, many of whom themselves are from Ukraine and have family living there through the war.

Ukrainian Credit Union donated to local, national and international organizations that provided, and continue to provide, humanitarian aid and non-lethal supplies to Ukraine. Just days after the war began, we donated $100,000 to the Canada Ukraine Foundation. Other examples include donations of $100,000 to Ukraine War Veterans Association of Canada, $30,000 to UCMAO Foundation for the shipment of medical supplies, and $10,000 to United 24 for the purchase of an emergency transport vehicle for the city of Kramatorsk. Our community sponsorships supported local and national organizations and events that pledged to donate a portion of their proceeds to help support Ukraine.

In this past year, UCU Helps Ukraine increased its efforts and expanded its mandate to include providing life-saving equipment to Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions. With your generosity, UCU Helps Ukraine has raised over $500,000 for soldiers fighting on the front lines.

All in all, since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian Credit Union has contributed over $1 million to help support Ukraine and newly arriving Ukrainians in Canada.

We are grateful for the messages of thanks we continue to receive from the many people we helped in Ukraine. Additionally, the blacklisting of members of our Board of Directors and senior management by the russian foreign ministry is a badge of honour that we wear with pride as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine and their struggle for independence, freedom, and the preservation of their national identity.

We acknowledge the unwavering support of the Government of Canada to the people of Ukraine. Canada has committed billions of dollars in financial and other assistance to Ukraine including the issuance of Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds, the provision of advanced weapons, and continued military training for Ukrainian armed forces personnel. Canada has also sanctioned russian individuals and businesses with ties to the putin regime and is leading the way internationally to direct their seized assets to assist Ukraine.

With all of us working together, we are confident Ukraine will defeat russia, restore peace in the region and strengthen global security.

Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!

 

Yaroslaw Borys

 

Taras Pidzamecky

Chair, Board of Directors

Chief Executive Officer

 


24 лютого 2023 р

З великим сумом та ще більшою рішучістю ми відзначаємо першу річницю війни в Україні.

24 лютого 2022 року світ з жахом спостерігав, як російські війська почали повномасштабне вторгнення в Україну, атакуючи з суші, з моря та з повітря ключові стратегічні райони, включаючи столицю країни Київ. Кампанія руйнування розширилася, коли росія націлилася на ключову українську цивільну інфраструктуру, знищуючи її. Усі ми бачили шокуючі звіти про військові злочини російських військ, про їхню жахливу жорстокість, про катування та вбивства тисяч українських військовополонених та цивільних осіб, у тому числі невинних дітей.

Неймовірне насильство, руйнування та смерть – усе це для того, щоб знищити українську націю. Але Україна вистояла перед обличчям російської агресії. Україна не буде подолана завдяки підтримці міжнародної спільноти, мужності та рішучості українського народу.

З початку війни Українська Кредитова Спілка Лимитед залишається непохитною у своїй підтримці України. Під час тогорічних загальних зборів ми ухвалили резолюцію, в якій засудили російську федерацію за її неспровоковану війну проти України, закликали світових лідерів вжити більш сміливих дій проти росії та зобов’язалися допомогти Україні позбутися російських окупантів.

Коли до Канади почали прибувати переселенці з України, які шукали тут притулку, ми відразу почали надавати їм допомогу. Було створено програму «Вітаємо, Україно» для новоприбулих українців, що пропонує їм безплатні банківські рахунки та доступ до фінансових послуг, які вони, можливо, не можуть отримати в іншому місці. На сьогодні тисячі новоприбулих українців обрали УКС своєю фінансовою установою. Вони отримують індивідуальні послуги та поради від наших працівників, багато з яких самі з України та мають сім’ї, які знаходяться там в період війни.

Українська Кредитова Спілка надає пожертви місцевим, національним та міжнародним організаціям, які продовжують надавати гуманітарну допомогу та нелетальні засоби для України. Буквально через декілька днів після початку війни ми пожертвували $100,000 Канадсько-українському фонду. Інші приклади включають пожертвування в розмірі $100,000 для Української стрілецької громади Канади, $30,000 для фонду UCMAO на відправку медичних товарів та $10,000 для United 24 на придбання автомобіля швидкої допомоги для міста Краматорська. Ми також підтримуємо інші місцеві та національні організації та заходи, які жертвують частину своїх доходів на підтримку України.

Минулого року програма UCU Helps Ukraine збільшила свої зусилля та розширила свій мандат, включивши в нього надання рятувального обладнання батальйонам Збройних Сил України. Завдяки вашій щедрості програма зібрала понад $500,000 для солдатів, які воюють на передовій.

Загалом від початку війни Українська Кредитова Спілка внесла понад $1,000,000 на підтримку України та новоприбулих українців у Канаді.

Ми цінуємо листи з подяками, які продовжуємо отримувати від багатьох людей, яким ми допомогли в Україні. А внесення наших членів директорів та вищого керівництва міністерством закордонних справ росії до чорного списку є знаком пошани, який ми носимо з гордістю як свідчення нашої непохитної відданості народу України та його боротьбі за незалежність, свободу та збереження своєї національної ідентичності.

Ми цінуємо непохитну підтримку українського народу урядом Канади. Канада виділила Україні фінансову та іншу допомогу на мільярди доларів. Ця допомога включає випуск облігацій Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds, доходи від яких спрямовані на підтримку державного суверенітету України, надання сучасної зброї та продовження військової підготовки Збройних сил України. Канада також запровадила санкції проти російських фізичних осіб і компаній, пов’язаних із режимом путіна, та лідирує на міжнародній арені щодо спрямування їхніх конфіскованих активів на допомогу Україні.

Ми впевнені, що завдяки нашим спільним зусиллям Україна переможе росію, відновить мир у регіоні та зміцнить глобальну безпеку.

Слава Україні! Героям Слава!

Ярослав Борис                                                           Тарас Підзамецький
Голова ради директорів
                                             Головний виконавчий директор

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Interactive Teller Machine – ATM with a live video chat


 Interactive Teller Machine – ATM with a live video chat

The Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) is our new ATM that allows you to interact with one of our Contact Centre Member Specialists through a live video conference.

It combines the full range of services provided by our ATMs with personal, real-time advice from one of our trained Contact Centre staff.

Through our ITMs, you can interact one-on-one via live video chat and perform many of the transactions you normally do inside one of our branches.

You can use an ITM for:

  • Deposits – cash or cheques
  • Withdrawals – up to $2,000
  • Bill Payments
  • Transfer money between UCU Accounts
  • Book appointments
  • General inquiries

ITM Locations

Open Now:

North York - 1600 Steeles Avenue West, Concord, ON 

Opening Soon:

Etobicoke - 225 The East Mall, Etobicoke, ON

Mississauga - 3635 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, ON

St. Demetrius - 135 La Rose Avenue, Toronto, ON

Hours

The ITM live video chat is available during our Contact Centre hours. 

Monday – Friday

8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Sunday

CLOSED

How to use the ITM

To start a video chat, press the on-screen option Talk to a Teller and the next available Member Specialist will be happy to assist you.

 

MemberDirect Small Business Online Banking

 



MemberDirect Small Business Online Banking

An online banking solution designed for the needs of small businesses - like yours.

Running a small business is more than a 9 to 5 job; it requires a lot of work, ingenuity and time to make it a success. With the daily operational challenges you face as a small business owner, we can ease some of the pressure and help you better manage the financial side of your business.

UCU Small Business Online Banking is a new business banking platform that will simplify your business banking. It offers a tailored online solution, allowing you to grant account access to select users and manage your business transactions with dual signature support. With easy-to-use features, you can access your UCU Business Accounts through UCU Online banking anytime from anywhere.

Key Product Features

Small Business Online Banking includes a range of features that make it a simple and secure option to manage your business finances.

Consolidate Your Accounts

  • Group your UCU Personal and Business Accounts to view account balances and easily move money between these accounts using a single login.

Dual Signature Support

  • One user with signing authority can initiate a transaction and have another signer approve or decline the submitted transaction.

Multiple User Support

  • You can add up to three users to your UCU Business Account and tailor their access by assigning view-only or initiator rights functions to each user.
  • View-only function allows users to view and print account statements. Initiator rights allow a user to initiate transactions for the account signer to approve including money transfers between accounts, e-Transfers and bill payments.

Pay Business Bills Online

  • Pay your business bills online easily and securely with UCU Online banking or the UCU App.

Interac e-Transfer with Support for Dual Signers

  • Send money from your UCU Business Account using Interac e-Transfer with added dual signature support.

Online Banking Alerts

  • Sign up to receive email and/or text alerts each time a user on the account initiates a transaction requiring approval and a transaction requiring approval is about to expire.

Deposit Anywhere

  • Deposit a cheque using the Deposit Anywhere feature on the UCU App.

MemberDirect Signup

For UCU Business Account holders – visit your local Branch and speak with our Small Business Account representative

 

 

 

 

  

Monday, January 16, 2023

RRSP Contribution Deadline – March 1, 2023

 

You have until March 1, 2023, to contribute to your RRSP for the 2022 tax year. With an RRSP you can save for retirement while taking advantage of many tax benefits. Check your CRA Notice of Assessment to find your contribution limit.

If you are considering opening an RRSP and want to learn more about it, here is a quick primer to get you started.

What is an RRSP?

A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a plan created by the federal government to help Canadians save for retirement. It is an account that provides a way to invest for retirement with certain tax-saving features. Think of it as an additional pension plan to supplement your existing government pension.

How does an RRSP work?

The most important feature of an RRSP is the way it is taxed. There are three tax advantages to opening an RRSP, your contributions will be:

  • Tax-deductible - Your RRSP contributions are made with pre-tax dollars and your contribution amount will be deducted from your income on your tax return in the year you make the contribution. For example, if you earned $60,000 last year and contributed $7,000 to your RRSP - you would pay taxes as if you earned $53,000.
The benefit – you will pay less income tax or you may even receive a tax refund.
  • Tax-sheltered - The investments in your RRSP grow tax-free and you won’t pay tax on your investment earnings while they stay in your plan.
The benefit – you get the benefit of tax-free compounding of returns.
  • Tax-deferred - You do not pay tax on the contributions going into your RRSP - but you will pay tax on the savings you withdraw from your RRSP, including both contributions and investment earnings.  You must start withdrawing from your RRSP the year after you turn 71.
The benefit – you will pay less tax in your higher income years where you may be in a higher tax bracket and less tax in your retirement years where you may be in a lower tax bracket.

How much can I contribute?

RRSPs are registered accounts and are subject to contribution rules.  For the 2022 tax year, you can contribute 18% of your previous year’s income or up to $29,210 - whichever is less. If you did not max out your RRSP contributions from previous years' tax filings that unused amount carries over.

The easiest way to check how much contribution room you have is to look at the Notice of Assessment you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after filing your taxes.

When is the contribution deadline?

The RRSP deadline for the 2022 tax year is March 1, 2023.

What types of accounts and investments are allowed in RRSPs?

You can hold many types of investments in an RRSP. They include:

  • Cash
  • Mutual Funds
  • GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates)
  • Stocks
  • ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
  • Bonds

Can I over-contribute to an RRSP?

Canada Revenue Agency will tax your over-contribution amount at the rate of 1% per month until the amount is withdrawn from your RRSP. The CRA does allow a $2,000 grace amount for over-contribution - but that amount is not tax-deductible and you will be charged tax.

Talk to a financial advisor

Nothing beats personalized advice. To get the most out of your RRSP contributions and take advantage of the investment earnings potential talk to a financial advisor.

UCU Wealth Strategies Group can help you make smart investment choices. They will look at your financial situation and help you create an investment strategy that is right for you and your retirement.

For more information, please visit your local Branch or the UCU website.

TFSA 2023 Contribution Limit - $6,500


You can contribute up to $6,500 to your TFSA this year. You may be eligible to contribute even more if you have contribution room remaining from previous years.

With a TFSA you can build your savings faster by not paying tax on your earnings. Save for anything you want from a down payment for a house, post-secondary tuition, or a vacation – all with the flexibility of withdrawing your money when you need it without penalty.

If you are considering opening a TFSA and want to learn more about it, here is a quick primer to get you started.

What is a TFSA?

A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a registered account that allows your investment earnings to grow tax-free. It is designed for any savings goal – big or small. Withdrawals can be made at any time without penalty and the earnings on your investments will not be taxed.

What are the benefits of a TFSA?

  • Flexibility – You can choose investment options suitable for your financial needs and you can withdraw any amount from your TFSA at any time without penalty
  • Tax-free growth – Your investment earnings grow tax-free in your TFSA and you will not be charged on the earnings when it is withdrawn
  • Rolling contribution limits – The amount of a withdrawal from your TFSA can be added to your contribution room the following year


How does a TFSA work? Think of a TFSA as a basket that allows you to hold more than just GICs – you can hold stocks and mutual funds as well.

Contributions to a TFSA are made with after-tax dollars – since you paid taxes on the money going into a TFSA you will not have to pay taxes on the money withdrawn from a TFSA.

The earnings on your investments grow tax-free. The investment gains are not taxed inside a TFSA and they are not taxed when withdrawn from a TFSA.

What are the permitted TFSA investment options?

You can hold any of the following investment options in your TFSA:

  • Cash
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates)
  • ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)

How much can you contribute?

The TFSA contribution limit for 2023 is $6,500 – but you can also carry over unused contribution room from previous years.

The current lifetime contribution room is $88,000 – provided you were at least 18 years old in 2009, the year TFSAs were introduced by the federal government. This means if you are at least 32 years old and have not contributed to a TSFA – you are eligible to contribute the full $88,000.

If you withdraw funds from your TFSA, the amount you take out is added back to your contribution limit for the following year.

You can find your TFSA contribution room by visiting the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Can you over-contribute to a TFSA?

Make sure you know your contribution limit – the CRA will issue a penalty for over-contribution. If you exceed your contribution limit you will be charged 1% a month for your over-contribution amount until you withdraw it.

I have an RRSP - do I also need a TFSA?

A TFSA can complement your RRSP - the two accounts can work together to improve your financial outlook in your retirement. If you have reached your RRSP contribution limit and have more savings to invest then a long-term investment in a TFSA can increase your retirement income.

Talk to a financial advisor

Nothing beats personalized advice. To get the most out of your TFSA contributions and take advantage of the investment earnings potential talk to a financial advisor. UCU Wealth Strategies Group can help you make smart investment choices. They will look at your financial situation and help you create an investment strategy that is right for you.

For more information, please visit your local Branch or the UCU website