Participating Lenders
BMO Bank of Montreal Aboriginal Banking
The Aboriginal Banking Unit at BMO Bank of Montreal was created in October 1992 to contribute to the self-sufficiency of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. The unit is working to build mutually beneficial sustainable relationships by designing and delivering with Aboriginal communities, businesses and individuals a comprehensive range of financial products and services.
This spirit of partnership and cooperation between BMO and Aboriginal peoples has already manifested itself with the opening of branches and community banking outlets within Aboriginal communities, the implementation of on-reserve housing programs with government guarantees and with improved access to financing opportunities at all levels.
BMO has been recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business with a gold level Progressive Aboriginal Relations award for its ability to build financial relationships with Aboriginal communities. In working to build financial relationships, BMO ensures that appropriate Aboriginal protocols and processes are recognized and followed in order to earn the respect and trust of the Aboriginal communities they serve.
“BMO Bank of Montreal is pleased to participate in the First Nations Market Housing Fund. The Fund enables BMO to enhance its existing housing on-reserve loan program and respond to the specific needs of First Nation communities.”
— Stephen Fay, Director, Aboriginal Banking (May 2008)
Contact Information:
Stephen Fay
Director, Aboriginal Banking
55 Bloor St. W., 8th Floor
Toronto ON
M4W 3N5
Ph.: 416-927-2675
Fax: 416-927-2700
Email: Stephen.Fay@bmo.com
Peace Hills Trust
Peace Hills Trust is Canada’s Premier First Nation Trust Company. Established in 1980, Peace Hills Trust has over 28 year of experience serving the financial needs of their customers across Canada. They employ over 120 people who serve more than 20,000 personal and business customers. Peace Hills Trust provides financial services across Canada through a network of 8 Regional Offices and electronic services accessible around the world.
Peace Hills Trust has a full range of deposit services and specializes in On Reserve financing for infrastructure, housing and business loans. Peace Hills Trust has provided On Reserve Mortgage Financing for homes and businesses for over 28 years.
“We look forward to working with our clients and the First Nations Market Housing Fund to meet the growing demand for market-based housing solutions on reserve.”
— August Shirt, Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Marketing and Business Development (February 2009)
Contact Information:
August (Tony) Shirt
Assistant Vice-President
Corporate Marketing and
Business Development
10th Floor, 10011 – 109 Street
Edmonton AB
T5J 3SB
Ph.: 780-421-1606
Fax: 780-426-6568
Email: tony.shirt@peacehills.com
Vancouver City Savings Credit Union
Vancity is excited to be the first credit union in Canada to participate in the First Nations Market Housing Fund. This is another milestone in Vancity’s history of helping members to build financial self-sufficiency through home ownership. Vancity was the first financial institution in British Columbia to offer mortgages on the east side of Vancouver — and the first to offer mortgages to women without requiring a male co-signer.
Vancity is Canada’s largest credit union, with $14.1 billion in assets, 400,000 members, and 61 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Squamish. Vancity is guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility and to improving the quality of life in the communities where they live and work.
“The Fund will allow Vancity to offer new financial solutions for on-reserve housing to the First Nations within our service area. We look forward to working with our local First Nations communities to make owning a home a reality for their members.”
— Shabir Amarshi, Vice President of Business Banking and the executive responsible for Vancity's work in Aboriginal communities (February 2009)
Contact Information:
Stewart Anderson
Manager, Aboriginal Banking
183 Terminal Avenue
P.O. Box 2120, Stn. Terminal
Vancouver B.C.
V6B 5R8
Ph.: 604-787-1988
Fax: 604-877-7993
Email: Stewart.anderson@vancity.com
Envision Financial
Envision Financial is B.C.’s third largest credit union with 21 branches and 20 insurance offices throughout the province. For seven years, Envision Financial has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. It has approximately $3.8 billion in assets under administration, more than 800 staff and 120,000 members. Envision has a number of subsidiary businesses including Envision Insurance Services, Envision Investment Services, CUDealerLink, Envision Leasing and inUnison Technology Services. For its extensive support of the community, Envision Financial is designated a “Caring Company” by Imagine Canada.
“Envision is proud to support innovative programs that advocate for our local communities. We look forward to partnering with the First Nations Market Housing Fund and continuing to build relationships within First Nation communities.”
—Tim Mackie, Envision Financial’s Vice-President, Retail Banking (May 2009)
Contact Information:
Hank Pilotte
Manager, Retail Credit
Administration Centre
6470 201 Street
Langley B.C.
V2Y 2X4
Ph: 604-539-7177
Fax: 604-539-7306
Email: Hpilotte@envisionfinancial.ca
Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, with overall assets of $152 billion, as at December 31, 2008. It comprises a network of caisses, credit unions and business centres in Québec and Ontario, and some 20 subsidiary companies in life and general insurance, securities brokerage, venture capital and asset management, many of which are active across the country. Drawing on the expertise of its 42,000 employees and the commitment of its 6,300 elected officers, Desjardins offers its 5.8 million individual and corporate members and clients a full range of financial products and services. Its physical distribution network is complemented by leading-edge virtual access methods.
“We have already long-developed excellent relations with Aboriginal peoples to whom we provide a variety of financial services. The participation of Desjardins in this homeownership Fund is without a doubt one more step in the right direction, and we are proud to be able to contribute to the well-being of First Nation members. Our co-operative values are more than ever strengthened by this involvement. ”
—Yves Poirier, Senior Manager, Major Accounts – First Nations, Desjardins Group (May 2009)
Contact Information:
Yves Poirier
Senior Manager, Major Accounts – First Nations
1 Desjardins Complex
South Tower, 18th Floor, P.O. Box 7, Desjardins Station
Montréal (Québec) H5B 1B2
Ph: 514 281-7000 ou 1 866-866-7000 poste 4074
Fax: 514 281-8743
Email: yves.poirier@desjardins.com
Anishinabek Nation Credit Union
ANCU is the first and only completely First Nation-owned financial institution in Ontario. It offers the products and services expected from a full-service financial institution with the aim of improving Anishinabek life. As such, results are measured according to levels of success in achieving this goal.
ANCU is committed to building itself to serve and strengthen the unique needs of the First Nations peoples to achieve economic empowerment in their communities. Further, there is a belief in First Nations self-government and that in order to build First Nations, they must first develop a strong financial infrastructure.
The Anishinabek Nation Credit Union has partnered on many First Nations projects, offering the same range of services as banks and other larger financial institutions. The staff has worked for years in other financial institutions, and are proud to share this experience through serving the Anishinabek with the highest degree of compassion, care and trust in their own language and culture
“As the first on-reserve credit union ever to be chartered by the Province of Ontario, Anishinabek Nation Credit Union strives to find innovative loan programs designed to assist First Nation members with home ownership. We are proud to become a partner with the Fund in providing an innovative borrowing option to our membership.”
— General Manager Allan Moffatt. (May 2010)
Contact Information:
Allan Moffatt
General Manager
Anishinabek Nation Credit Union
7 Shingwauk Street
Garden River, Ontario
P6A 6Z8
Ph: 705-942-7655
Toll free: 1-866-775-ANCU
Fax: 705-942-7613
Email: allan@ancu.ca