Defining Success

May marks a meaningful shift – from the national election results to graduates crossing stages and leases being signed – many new routines are beginning. At CUA, our commitment remains the same: to deliver banking products and services to help our members reach their full financial potential.

Whether you’re stepping into a new phase of life or considering a smaller change, we are here to support our members in achieving success. This priority was reflected in the theme of our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was “Defining Success”.

Defining success can take many different shapes for people and businesses. For some it’s found in personal growth, meaningful relationships and living with purpose. It can also mean overcoming obstacles, achieving a defined goal or making a positive impact. For this organization, our success is defined through our members achieving their financial goals.

We recently sat down with three CUA business members who are all making an impact and achieving success in different ways. They each shared their biggest wins to date, described their personal definition of success, and predicted what success will look like for them in the future. Notably, all their definitions of success have changed since they launched their businesses, and as their experiences evolved, so did their thinking. I want to thank Matthew MacKenzie from Mackenzie Atlantic, Fouad Habib from Team Five, and Lauren Burke from Burning Flame Candle Company for taking the time to share their success stories with us. We are so grateful to be part of your journey and look forward to seeing your continued long-term success.

At the AGM, we said a special thank you to Board of Directors member Donna Harding. Donna has served on the Board for the past nine years in various capacities, including Chair and Vice Chair, and has reached the maximum term limit. We have been fortunate to benefit from her leadership, advice and dedication to CUA since 2016 —thank you Donna, you will be greatly missed! We also welcomed Christine Hanson to the Board this year, and are looking forward to continuing to work with each of our Board members.

As I mentioned above, success for CUA is when our members can achieve their greatest level of financial health. One way to measure this is through a credit score. Credit and credit scores can seem a little mysterious and often leave people feeling confused. What does a credit score mean? How is it calculated? And why does credit matter? Our CUAdvice article this month is The Five C’s of Credit, which explains the basics of credit and credit scores and what factors lenders consider when determining if they will extend you a loan. For detailed and personalized advice on your financial health or how to build your credit score, one of our Financial Advisors will be more than happy to connect with you.

I wish all of you success in both your financial and personal goals. Whether it’s the quiet satisfaction of doing work that matters or the recognition earned from peers, every definition is unique—and often, it's a blend of many. As a team and as individuals, let’s continue to define success in ways that inspire and sustain us.

As always, if you have questions achieving your financial goals or any other financial matters, please reach out to us at 902.492.6500 or info@cua.com

Your CEO,