Owners really do win at Mountain View Credit Union. The credit union was named Alberta Credit Union of the Year at Credit Union Central Alberta Limited’s Annual General Meeting, held last Thursday evening, April 11, in Calgary.
    Graham Wetter, President & CEO of Credit Union Central Alberta Ltd., recognized Mountain View Credit Union for their achievements in 2012, particularly:
    •Financial Performance: Mountain View Credit Union posted a net income (before taxes and patronage rebates) of over $3.2 million for the 2012 fiscal year;
 •Credit Union system leadership: Bob Marshall, Mountain View Credit Union President and CEO, has played an integral role in an initiative to review debit and credit card payment options for credit unions throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba;
    • Innovative collaborative efforts, through the creation of a InStride Resources Ltd, a cooperative shared-resource business solution established with 1st Choice Savings, Lakeland Credit Union and Mountain View Credit Union;
• Winning two Achievement in Marketing Excellence Awards from the national Marketing Association for Credit Unions (MACU) organization.
    “We were surprised by this honour,” said Bob Marshall, Mountain View Credit Union President and CEO. “The credit union system is strong in Alberta, and to be recognized by our peers for our 2012 performance, strengths and system leadership is a significant achievement. Our employees can all feel proud that they have contributed to this win, and feel confident that by focusing on the rewards and benefits that are of value to our owners, we are building a successful organization.”
Mountain View also won for best ROA (Return on Asset) Growth for our Peer Group, for 2012 over 2011 results.
    Mountain View Credit Union is a member-owned, community-based financial institution with 12 branches incldung Delia, Carbon and Morrin, and assets of $560 million. Mountain View serves over 17,000 personal, business and agriculture members in 12 communities. The credit union opened its first branch in Cremona in 1943 and now employs 110 people throughout Central Alberta.

    Grade 8 students at Drumheller Valley Secondary School were given a head start into the world of finances on Monday, April 22, thanks to volunteers with Junior Achievement.
    Four volunteers from the community took some time out of their day to help teach the students the financial tools they will need as adults.
    “I recruit volunteers from the local business community to teach kids about saving, investing, budgeting, and all sorts of things they will need to know,” said Vicki Hardy, regional coordinator east-central region with Junior Achievement.
    Students participated in the Dollars and Sense program, which teaches them how to make wise choices with their hard earned cash.
    “It’s about what kind of spender and saver are you, and how we can tweak that a little bit so you are more money-wise in the end,” said Hardy.

Troy Elzner (center), with ATB Financial, helps Hayden Niccol (left) and Noah Miles work through the Dollars and Sense program facilitated by Junior Achievement. Elzner and several other volunteers took some time on Monday, April 22, to teach Grade 8 students financial literacy, budgeting, saving, investing, and other important financial lessons.

    DVSS typically asks Junior Achievement to present their program once every year to help supplement what students learn in Career and Life Management (CALM) and Health classes.
    “It’s all about financial literacy, financial management skills, and the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur,” said Brad Teske, associate principal. “They still get it in CALM and a little bit in Health class. With this, these are professionals in the community, so we feel it makes a little bit more of an impact on the students.”
    For the volunteers, it is a chance to connect with students.
    ““We’re talking about budgeting, saving, and needs versus wants,” said Troy Elzner, with ATB Financial, who is helping teach for the first time. “We always try to do stuff for the community. We were approached and thought it’d be great to come and give our support. It’s good to give back.”
    Students were glad to have the change of pace and learn some valuable lessons.
    “It’s going to help us in the future, because life is all about money now and the key to success,” said Noah Miles, a Grade 8 student. “It’s pretty cool.”