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Member News
Lori Walsh, Director, Strategy & Brand – 306.621.3471
Doug Jones, Chief Executive Officer – 306.621.2039
• Neudorf Community Hall – $25,000 for repairs to the hall’s basement floor
• Vibank Co-operative Community Centre – $20,000 for kitchen improvements
• Yorkton Minor Baseball – $20,000 for four new batting cages at Jubilee Park
• Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department – $10,000 for new firefighting equipment
Neudorf Community Hall will receive $25,000 for repairs to the hall’s basement floor. The project involves removing old flooring, repairing sections of concrete that are cracking and heaving, and levelling the entire surface before installing new flooring.
As in many rural communities throughout the region, the hall is a hub of activity during the year. The facility is often rented out to the public for weddings, meetings, and other gatherings.
“We are beyond excited to have been chosen as one of Cornerstone's grant recipients this year,” said Jamie Schutz, chair of the Neudorf Community Hall Board. “This funding is pivotal for our small community organization and will help us achieve a renovation goal that would have otherwise taken us far longer to complete.”
Vibank Co-operative Community Centre
Vibank Co-operative Community Centre (VCCC) will receive $20,000 for kitchen upgrades. The renovations will improve the rink’s canteen with new appliances, countertops, cupboards, and serving windows.
Fundraisers, donations, and surplus funds from canteen revenues will cover approximately half the cost of the project, with the rest funded through Project Cornerstone.
Yorkton Minor Baseball
Yorkton Minor Baseball will receive $20,000 to construct four new batting cages at Jubilee Park. The organization has already raised $65,000 and will be able to complete the project with this funding.
The new batting cages will help young ball players improve their skills and offer a recreational opportunity to the community.
“This project has been approximately four years in the making,” said project manager Tom Courville. “We thank Cornerstone Credit Union for recognizing the value of the batting cages for our community and helping us reach our objective of completing it for the 2023 baseball season.”
Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department
Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department will receive $10,000 to help replace two expiring self-contained breathing apparatus and air tanks, as required by legislation.
The fire department provides services to the Town of Saltcoats and the surrounding rural municipality. The community has already raised several thousand dollars through raffles and a pancake breakfast to help cover these costs.
“We were a little shocked when we got the call that we had been selected for funding,” said Fire Chief Harry Smith. “This important funding will help our firefighters to be safer and better equipped when providing vital services to the community.”
For more information related to this media release:
Lori Walsh, Director, Strategy & Brand – 306.621.3471
Doug Jones, Chief Executive Officer – 306.621.2039
When applications opened in the spring, eligible community groups could apply for up to $50,000 in funding. However, Cornerstone Credit Union experienced a strong year financially, allowing it to invest even more into the program.
Project Cornerstone funding is intended to build, expand, and upgrade facilities or develop programs that improve the quality of life in local communities.
“Project Cornerstone is an important way for us to give back to the people and groups who keep our communities strong,” said Cornerstone Credit Union CEO Doug Jones. “We are fortunate to be able to invest more into this program and we are excited to contribute to some very deserving projects.”
Applications for Project Cornerstone funding closed at the end of September. A selection committee reviewed more than 70 applications and selected this year’s recipients after several rounds of deliberations.
The winners will be announced on December 1, 2022.
For more information related to this media release:
Lori Walsh, Director, Strategy & Brand – 306.621.3471
Doug Jones, Chief Executive Officer – 306.786.2222
Credit unions continue to be number one in customer service, according to the recently announced 2022 Ipsos Financial Service Excellence Awards.
The awards recognize Canadian financial institutions for the customer experience they provide. Canada's credit unions won six awards across 11 categories, including the Customer Service Excellence Award for the 18th year in a row.
“This achievement reflects a credit union’s commitment to putting members first,” said Cornerstone Credit Union CEO Doug Jones. “At Cornerstone, our purpose is to empower members to succeed in life and business. We do this by striving to provide the very best experience at every interaction.”
Credit unions were also winners in Financial Planning and Advice, Branch Service Excellence, Online Banking Excellence, Live Agent Telephone Banking Excellence, and Values My Business.
This year’s Financial Service Excellence Awards were generated by survey results with a regionally and demographically representative sample of nearly 50,000 Canadians.
For more information related to this media release:
Lori Walsh, Director, Strategy & Brand – 306.621.3471
Doug Jones, Chief Executive Officer – 306.786.2222
Cornerstone Credit Union (“Cornerstone”) takes the privacy and security of its members very seriously.
To that end, we want to provide an important update on a recent cybersecurity incident experienced by a managed services provider that offers a range of information technology and related services to Cornerstone. As previously communicated, the cybersecurity incident impacted Cornerstone and resulted in us commencing our own investigation and response to this incident, as set out further below.
What Happened
On June 8, 2022, the managed services provider notified us that they had experienced a cybersecurity incident. They confirmed that they took immediate action to block the incident to limit the impact on their clients and began investigating to assess what information may have been compromised.
Out of an abundance of caution, we also launched an investigation into this incident. From this investigation, we have implemented additional security measures to further protect your information.
What Information Was Involved
There is no evidence that any personal information was misused as a result of this incident, and given the immediate and comprehensive actions taken, we consider the risk to members low. Key systems to access member accounts, such as our core banking system and digital banking, as well as communication systems such as email, were unaffected. However, as a precautionary measure, we wanted to let you know that some of our employees’ and members’ personal information may have been accessed during the incident. For some members, this may include name, member number, account number, date of birth (DOB), or social insurance number (SIN).
What We Are Doing
We have alerted law enforcement and appropriate privacy commissioners and have engaged leading cybersecurity experts to support the investigation and our response.
As a precautionary measure, we wanted to notify you and also offer you complimentary identity theft and credit monitoring solutions free of charge for 24 months from TransUnion. Through this, you will be able to receive regular alerts to notify you if there are significant changes to your credit report.
If you would like more information on this incident and/or you are interested in this service, please send an email to memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255 to access it.
In order to protect against fraudulent access to credit report information, you will be subject to a verification and authentication process.
What You Can Do
While there is no evidence that any personal information was misused as a result of this incident, we always recommend that members take the following additional steps to protect yourself and your information online:
- Monitor your financial accounts with care. If you see any transactions you do not understand or that appear suspicious, or if you suspect fraudulent activity has occurred involving a credit or debit card, contact your financial institution.
- Regularly change and create strong passwords for any online accounts, particularly those that use or relate to your social insurance number.
- Be cautious of any unsolicited communication (phone call, email, etc.) that asks for your personal information or refers you to a Web page asking for personal information.
- Do not click on links or provide money or confidential information where you cannot independently verify the authenticity of a request.
- Clear your browsing history regularly and at the conclusion of any online banking or other transactions where you make online purchases.
- Sign up for banking alerts that will notify you when your password has been changed or your bank account has been accessed/used.
- Contact the appropriate authorities if you notice any suspicious activity.
- Sign up for the credit monitoring services being offered above.
Additional tips and resources for protecting your identity are available at: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/Oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca03025.html
For More Information
We know you may have more questions, and we are here to support you. Please email memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255.
We take this incident, and the privacy and protection of your information, extremely seriously. We are profoundly grateful for your understanding and support, and we regret any impact this incident may have had.
Thank you for your trust and support.
Sincerely,
Doug Jones
CEO
Cornerstone Credit Union
Incident FAQ's
What happened?
On June 8, 2022, a managed services provider notified us that they had experienced a cybersecurity incident. They confirmed that they took immediate action to block the incident to limit the impact on their clients and began investigating to assess what information may have been compromised.
Out of an abundance of caution, we also launched an investigation into this incident. From this investigation, we have implemented additional security measures to further protect your information.
When did this incident occur?
On June 8, 2022, a managed services provider notified us that they had experienced a cybersecurity incident. They confirmed that they took immediate action to block the incident to limit the impact on their clients and began investigating to assess what information may have been compromised.
What type of incident was this?
It was a cybersecurity incident that originated within a managed service provider we contract with for information technology services.
Were you hacked / what was the impact of the incident?
We were impacted by a cybersecurity incident experienced by a managed services provider that offers a range of information technology and related services to Cornerstone.
How did you respond to the incident?
Out of an abundance of caution, we launched an investigation into this incident. From this investigation, we have implemented additional security measures to further protect your information.
We have alerted law enforcement and appropriate privacy commissioners and have engaged leading cyber security experts to support the investigation and our response.
While we have no evidence that personal information was misused as a result of this incident, out of an abundance of caution, we are also offering members and employees complimentary identity theft and credit monitoring solutions free of charge for 24 months from TransUnion. Through this, they will be able to receive regular alerts to notify you if there are significant changes to your credit report. If interested in this service, please send an email to memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255 to access it.
What is my risk?
There is no evidence that any personal information was misused as a result of this incident, and given the immediate and comprehensive actions taken, we consider the risk to members low.
What information was involved?
We have no evidence that member information was misused and given the immediate and comprehensive action taken, we consider the risk to members low. Key systems accessing member accounts being, core banking and digital (online & mobile) banking systems were not impacted, as well as communication channels such as email. However, for some members, some information may have been accessed including, name, member number, account number, date of birth (DOB), or social insurance number (SIN). If you would like to discuss this further, please email memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255.
What can I do to protect myself?
While there is no evidence that any personal information was misused as a result of this incident, we always recommend that members take the following additional steps to protect yourself and your information online:
- Monitor your financial accounts with care. If you see any transactions you do not understand or that appear suspicious, or if you suspect fraudulent activity has occurred involving a credit or debit card, contact your financial institution.
- Regularly change and create strong passwords for any online accounts, particularly those that use or relate to your social insurance number.
- Be cautious of any unsolicited communication (phone call, email, etc.) that asks for your personal information or refers you to a Web page asking for personal information.
- Do not click on links, provide money, or confidential information where you cannot independently verify the authenticity of a request.
- Clear your browsing history regularly and at the conclusion of any online banking or other transactions where you make online purchases.
- Sign up for banking alerts that will notify you when your password has been changed or your bank account has been accessed/used.
- Contact the appropriate authorities if you notice any suspicious activity.
- Sign up for the credit monitoring services being offered above.
Additional tips and resources for protecting your identity are available at:
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/Oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca03025.html
How do I access credit monitoring?
To access complimentary identity theft and credit monitoring solutions free of charge for 24 months from TransUnion, please send an email to memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255 to access it.
In order to protect against fraudulent access to credit report information, you will be subject to a verification and authentication process.
I am looking for more details on the incident - how can I find out more?
We know you may have more questions, and we are here to support you. Please contact email memberfeedback@cornerstonecu.com or call 1.855.875.2255.
Cornerstone Credit Union (CCU) has committed $2,000 to support the rapidly escalating crisis in Ukraine and are waiving member wire fees to Ukraine and surrounding regions, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. It has been difficult to watch the conflict escalate and the impact it has on millions of innocent people. Without access to essential goods and services – such as food, medicine, and shelter - most in Ukraine must rely on the help and generosity of others. We join those around the world calling for a peaceful resolution.
Our funds have been allocated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and to the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) Call to Action!
“As of 9:00 am EST on February 28, the Appeal has raised over $4 million from a broad base of supporters across Canada – provincial governments, family foundations, community organizations, credit unions, public and private companies, and thousands of individual donors,” said Orest Sklierenko, President and CEO of CUF. “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from every corner of Canada, who share the horror of the war being waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people.”
CDF Canada is actively raising much-needed funds for the people of Ukraine and calling on the cooperative community across Canada to help. Whether you are a member of a co-op, a leader of a credit union, or simply a humanitarian at heart, every dollar counts, and every life matters! The beneficiaries are more than 2,000 vulnerable women, including Internally Displaced Person living in the Kyiv, Kharkov, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts of Ukraine. They have already been impacted by the 2014 invasion and this is now yet another blow to already vulnerable people.
Please click here to learn more and to donate to support millions of Ukrainian families who have been displaced from their homes through CUF. Or you can donate through the CDF here.
#HelpUkraineNow.
Damon Syrota, Director Retail Banking, along with employees from the Ituna branch presented the donation to the fundraising committee at the Ituna Senior hockey game on February 12, 2022.
“Cornerstone is committed to helping our communities thrive and prosper”, says Syrota. “This unique opportunity to partner with the Town of Ituna and the Ituna Community Arena Co-operative is really important to us. We’re very excited to help out with such a worthwhile project that will benefit the community of Ituna and surrounding areas for many years to come.”
Along with this financial contribution, employees of Cornerstone are actively involved in fundraising efforts for this project, and many other projects in the community. Ituna managers, Curtis Malysh and Angela Fazakas says, “Being actively involved through volunteer work is just as important to us as providing funding. We want to help in whatever way we can.”
Built in 1961, the Arena has served the community well for many years but is now in desperate need of a retrofit or it will be a safety risk to operate.
The Ituna Arena Cooperative has a two-phase plan to retrofit the Arena, ensuring that residents will be able to enjoy a modern, functional, and energy-efficient Arena for many years. Jack Shymko, Chair, Ituna Arena Cooperative Building Committee, comments, “The Ituna Arena is incredibly important to the rural community of Ituna and the surrounding rural municipalities and First Nations communities. The Arena brings the community together for recreation, exercise, and community building.”
Tim Pilkey, Farm & Business Advisor, also comments, “Ituna is a strong community, and we have built a great working relationship with the Town of Ituna. We’re looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”
Cornerstone Credit Union is a member-owned and community-minded credit union, providing support to hundreds of local community groups, events and organizations on an annual basis. Adding to donations already received from the town of Ituna, RM of Ituna Bon Accord and past fundraising efforts, this project has now raised over $1.6M. An additional one million is needed to complete phase 1 in 2022. Support from the community and businesses is critical to ensuring this project is completed successfully.
