CUA - Vanessa del Rosario

Meet Vanessa del Rosario

Vanessa is a Financial Advisor at our Spryfield branch. She talks about moving to Halifax, how she got interested in banking, and finding new coffee shops in the city.

1. Where did you grow up and if you moved to the Halifax area, what brought you here?

I grew up in Manila, Philippines and moved to Cape Breton in 2021 with my husband. He has been working in Halifax since 2023 and would travel back to Cape Breton on the weekends. It was late last year when we decided to move to Halifax full-time. There were more opportunities for growth in the City, plus more places to visit and activities to do, which was a huge bonus for us.

2. Can you highlight your educational background and professional experience?

I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. I have always worked in the banking industry. I worked for two of the biggest banks in the Philippines, starting as a Sales Officer and then transitioned to a Product Manager / Marketing Officer role before moving to Canada in November 2021. I also worked in Cape Breton for two and a half years as a Financial Services Representative (FSR) before I moved to Halifax and started with CUA.

3. What drew you to banking?

I originally took Economics as a pre-law degree, but after graduating, I decided to pursue jobs in the finance and banking industry. My first job as a Sales Officer had a 6-month intensive training program that helped me grow my skills and knowledge in banking. After that, I decided to keep growing and learning within banking.

4. Since joining CUA, what other positions have you held?

I started as a Financial Service Representative at the Annex branch in January 2025 and then transitioned into a Financial Advisor role in April.

5. What does a “regular” workday look like for you?

Working in the Spryfield branch, most days we start off the morning with helping the FSRs with their branch opening tasks. I will look at my calendar for any appointments that day and check my emails. After that, I work on any deals or pending tasks from previous days and meet with members for their scheduled appointments.

6. What is the best part of your job?

I love being in a branch where I can interact with members and my co-workers every day. I am an extrovert, so I thrive in social situations and being around other people. Getting to talk and meet new people every day and knowing that I can provide good advice is the most fulfilling part and makes all the work worth it.

7. Since being in your role with CUA, what is the most valuable thing you’ve learned?

There’s always something new to learn. There are a lot of tips and techniques from more tenured colleagues and a good number of resources available for those who are more comfortable with self-paced learning. I also like that having a lot of questions can be a good sign of interest and engagement, and is considered a good thing at CUA.

8. What is one piece of financial advice that you believe everyone should follow?

Everyone should be setting aside some money as savings when possible. Doesn’t matter the amount, as long as it's consistent. When you’ve saved up enough money to put into a locked-in account that can guarantee higher interest, the earlier you put it in will always be better.

9. What is your favourite CUA product and why?

My favorite CUA product would probably be the No Down Payment Mortgage. It’s a product that is designed to help people be able to purchase their homes sooner rather than later. It is understandable that in this economy, not a lot of people have funds saved up for a down payment on a home, but it doesn’t mean they can’t afford to pay a mortgage. Overall, CUA has many tools that can help members gauge what is the right product for them and advisors who are willing to go the extra mile to help members achieve their financial goals.

9. Outside of your professional life, what is your favourite activity or hobby?

My favourite hobby is discovering new cafes or coffee shops. Luckily, Halifax is full of great places to go and visit. Since I have only recently moved to the City, there are still a lot of places I haven’t been to yet, but I’m excited for more time to explore hidden gems around the area.

11. What is your favourite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?

My favorite meal to cook at home is kaldereta which is Filipino tomato-based beef stew dish. It was a dish that was always prepared by my grandfather growing up. Whenever I need comfort food, I will cook that and immediately feel like I’m back home.

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