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Title: Client Experience Survey – April 2025
Date: April 15, 2025
As part of our efforts to continually improve our services, we will be conducting a wealth management experience survey with our members starting on April 22. You may receive an online survey asking you to provide your feedback on your overall wealth management experience with Cornerstone Credit Union and Aviso Wealth.
The email will come from Aviso Wealth (avisowealth@qualtrics-research.com) with the Subject Line: Your Opinion Matters - Share it with us today. This email will contain a link to the 10-minute Qualtrics survey. Your answers will be kept anonymous, with results presented in aggregate.
If you receive the survey, please take a moment to complete it. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will support in helping us improve the services we offer.
Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.
Conexus, Cornerstone, and Synergy Credit Unions are thrilled to recommend a merger to members. After thorough due diligence, the Boards of all three credit unions have unanimously approved this recommendation. We believe that by working together we will create a stronger, more resilient credit union that remains member-focused and upholds our shared values.
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Share profits with members while maintaining competitive rates and fees.
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Ensure long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing financial landscape.
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Continue investing in local communities to support a thriving Saskatchewan.
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Invest in technology so members can bank where, when, and how they want.
Our Commitment to Members
Pending member approval of this merger, here is what this will mean for you:
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Modern digital banking experience. We will prioritize investment in our digital banking, adding new functionality to deliver an experience that is easy, secure, and offers convenient access.
Branch network. Our combined network has no overlap, allowing us to be sustainable without closing locations as part of this merger. We will serve Saskatchewan with 57 branch locations in 50 communities - giving you more ways to bank where, when, and how you want.
Competitive with low to no-fee options. We will offer low to no-fee options that are accessible to all while still offering competitive rates and fees.
Profit-sharing with our members. We will share our profits through a modern rewards program - putting money back in our members’ pockets.
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Local service and local decision-making. Your trusted advisors remain local—local people, serving local members. Decision-making will remain rooted in the communities we serve.
Enhanced lending capacity. We will have increased financial capacity so as your farm or business grows, we will grow with you!
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Specialized expertise. We will expand access to specialized expertise like wealth management, estate service and management, and mobile mortgage specialists.
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Personalized service and modern offerings to meet diverse needs. Our team will be empowered with the required technology and insights to provide proactive, needs-based advice and solutions tailored to your financial goals.
Our profits stay local. Our profits stay local, with 5% of pre-tax earnings reinvested into our local communities further strengthening Saskatchewan. We remain committed to making a positive impact through sponsorships, volunteering and community support.
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Committed to employees. The merger will create new opportunities for current and future employees. We’re committed to retain engaged team members, invest in career development, explore new growth potential, and be a top employer in Saskatchewan.
This merger is a proactive step forward to keep money in our members’ pockets while securing a strong future for our credit union.
We are committed to keeping members informed, answering questions, and providing opportunities to learn more. A member vote is expected this June, and we encourage all members to take part in shaping the future of their credit union by voting.
Quotes from Credit Union Board Chairs and CEOs
- Ken Kosolofski, Board Chair of Conexus Credit Union
“This merger is about building a provincial credit union that is even more member-focused, sustainable, and competitive. The headwinds of rising costs, economic volatility, and increasing regulatory demands make it harder to go it alone while meeting evolving member expectations. We are choosing to work together to create a strong community-focused credit union serving both today’s members and future generations.”
- Heidi Schofer, Board Chair of Cornerstone Credit Union
“A financial institution rooted in co-operative values means that every credit union customer is a member-owner. These member-owners provide us with valuable feedback on what matters most to them. Today, we are proud to announce our commitments to members as we move forward with this merger. We remain dedicated to serving members in the way that suits them best—whether through their trusted local branches or modern, easy-to-use online tools. Additionally, we reaffirm our commitment to local decision-making, delivering more value to members, and with no overlap, keeping branches open as part of this merger.”
- Neil Carruthers, Board Chair of Synergy Credit Union
“This merger puts members first. We are excited about what a merged credit union with $15 billion in assets under management and 57 branches in 50 communities means for our members. Our team will be empowered with the required technology, modern products and insights to provide proactive, needs-based advice tailored to your financial goals. Your vote matters! Let’s move ahead together.”
- Celina Philpot, CEO of Conexus Credit Union
“Our members care deeply about their credit union and their community. We believe that partnering is the right choice. A merged credit union will amplify the positive benefits for both members and our communities, with profits staying local. Ultimately, this merger is about building a stronger credit union for everyone involved.”
- Doug Jones, CEO of Cornerstone Credit Union
“The world is full of uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, yet they significantly affect us – whether through global politics, economic shifts or rapid technological advancements that reshape competition. By joining forces, we will be better equipped to navigate unforeseen challenges and seize new opportunities than we would be on our own.”
More Information for Members
Members and the public can learn more about this recommended merger by visiting any of the three credit unions’ branches or the shared “Together for a Thriving Saskatchewan” website.
About Conexus Credit Union
Conexus has more than 80 years of serving members and giving back to our communities. Conexus manages over $10 billion in assets and has over 897 employees serving more than 144,000 members across 30 locations in Saskatchewan.
About Cornerstone Credit Union
Cornerstone is the product of many mergers over the years, with the most recent in 2021 with Horizon and Plainsview credit unions. Cornerstone has over $2.7 billion in assets with 15 branches within East-Central Saskatchewan. Cornerstone Credit Union serves over 30,000 members and has an employee base of 280.
About Synergy Credit Union
Synergy is a member-owned financial institution serving over 27,000 members with 12 branches across west-central Saskatchewan. As the fifth-largest credit union in Saskatchewan, we have 238 employees and manage approximately $2.8 billion in assets, standing tall among Canada’s leading credit unions.
At Cornerstone Credit Union, we understand that recent developments around trade and tariffs may be causing concern and uncertainty. As your trusted financial partner, we want to assure you that we are here to support you, just as we always have been.
For decades, we’ve proudly stood by our members, employees, and the province of Saskatchewan. Through both challenges and opportunities, our focus has remained on providing practical advice, tailored solutions, and unwavering support to help you achieve your financial goals.
During these uncertain times, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our team of knowledgeable advisors is ready to listen, guide, and work with you to navigate the road ahead. Whether you’re seeking insights into how economic changes might impact your personal or business finances, or looking for tailored financial strategies, we’re here for you every step of the way.
As a credit union rooted in Saskatchewan, we remain deeply committed to strengthening our local communities. Together, we will continue to build resilience and prosperity, ensuring that our members and our province thrive.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1.855.875.2255 or visit your nearest branch. Let’s face these uncertainties together, with confidence and partnership.
Thank you for being a valued member of Cornerstone Credit Union.
Cornerstone Credit Union is one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for the ninth consecutive year and 10th time overall. The winners of the annual competition were announced Tuesday by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.
This special designation recognizes the Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.
Cornerstone Credit Union was selected as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for several reasons, including:
- a defined contribution pension plan and assistance on day-to-day expenses, such as employee banking benefits and discounts.
- a variety of alternative working options, including flexible hours, hybrid work, shortened and compressed work weeks, and personal days.
- a wellness program that focuses on employees’ physical, social, emotional, intellectual, occupational, financial, spiritual, and environmental well-being
- encouraging employee involvement with one paid day off to volunteer, as well as offering matching charitable donations.
“Cornerstone Credit Union is proud to be recognized as a great place to build a career,” said CEO Doug Jones. “We’re also proud of the people who work here. We attract and retain great employees who work hard for our members, for each other, and help us give back to our communities.”
Employers are evaluated on eight criteria: (1) Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance
The full list of winners can be found at www.canadastop100.com/sk
As shared with you in November, Conexus, Cornerstone, and Synergy Credit Unions are actively exploring a potential merger. Together for a Thriving Saskatchewan, is an initiative driven by a shared vision to combine resources and strategic investments to create a stronger, more resilient province-wide credit union that can better serve the evolving needs of our members and communities.
We want to hear from you!
Connecting with you is critical to our journey. We want to hear your thoughts on Cornerstone Credit Union exploring a potential merger with Conexus and Synergy Credit Unions.
We have partnered with The Sentis Group, an independent research company, to conduct a survey on our behalf. The week of January 21, you will receive a survey from our research partner, from the following email address: Cornerstone & Sentis Research (cornerstone@sentis.ca)
Please remember to check your spam and junk folders and don't miss this opportunity to share your voice! Your responses are confidential and anonymous, and your insights are invaluable. Whether you've got a lot to say or a little, we want your feedback!
If you do not have access to email, you can complete the survey now through the following link!
To learn more, visit www.thrivingtogethersk.ca, call us or visit us in branch!
"Together for a Thriving Saskatchewan"
In an exciting new development for Saskatchewan’s financial landscape, Conexus Credit Union, Cornerstone Credit Union, and Synergy Credit Union are thrilled to announce their intent to explore a potential merger. This partnership aims to create a stronger, more resilient province-wide credit union that evolves with the changing needs of its members and communities.
Together for a Thriving Saskatchewan, is an initiative driven by a shared vision to combine resources and strategic investments. The Joint Partnership Committee, comprising of representatives from each credit union, has been established to explore synergies that will create tangible value and benefits for all three organizations.
“Our commitment to Saskatchewan is unwavering," said Conexus Board Chair, Ken Kosolofski. “We believe that through this partnership, we can foster economic growth and support the dreams of individuals, farmers, and businesses across the province.”
Cornerstone Board Chair, Heidi Schofer, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey. By uniting our strengths, we envision a credit union that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our members, employees, and the communities we serve.”
Synergy Board Chair, Neil Carruthers, added, “This potential merger represents a unique opportunity to drive innovation and sustainability. Together, we will be better positioned to tackle competitive and regulatory pressures, ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come.”
The exploration phase involves rigorous due diligence to develop a comprehensive business case, validating the expected benefits across all functions of the credit unions. If approved, the merger will be recommended to the members, who will have the final say in shaping the future of their credit union.
“Our members are at the core of everything we do,” emphasized Glenn Stang, CEO Synergy Credit Union. “Their voice will be instrumental in this process, and we are committed to maintaining transparent communication throughout.”
As the financial services industry continues to evolve, with growing competitive and regulatory pressures and the need for meaningful organic growth, credit unions are increasingly turning to mergers to achieve the necessary scale.
“As like-minded credit unions, we believe our collective deep understanding of local markets across Saskatchewan and strong employee engagement will ensure sustainable and supportive financial operations that benefit everyone involved,” continued Doug Jones, CEO, Cornerstone Credit Union.
The new credit union aims to invest in its employees’ development, preparing them for current and future opportunities. This commitment to fostering a high-performance culture centered on members is foundational to the merger discussions.
“Our goal is to offer a differentiated and modern member experience,” summarized Celina Philpot, CEO, Conexus Credit Union. “Through partnership, we can achieve efficiencies that benefit our members, employees, and the communities we proudly serve.”
Members and the public can learn more about this potential merger by visiting any of the branches or the shared credit union website www.thrivingtogethersk.ca.
About Conexus Credit Union
Conexus has more than 80 years of serving members and giving back to our communities. Conexus manages almost $10 billion in assets and has 886 employees serving more than 141,000 members across 30 locations in Saskatchewan.
About Cornerstone Credit Union
Cornerstone is the product of many mergers over the years, with the most recent in 2021 with Cornerstone, Horizon and Plainsview credit unions. Cornerstone has over $2.5 billion in assets with 15 branches within East-Central Saskatchewan. Cornerstone Credit Union serves over 30,000 members and has an employee base of 280.
About Synergy Credit Union
Synergy is a member-owned financial institution serving over 27,000 members with 12 branches across west-central Saskatchewan. As the fifth-largest credit union in Saskatchewan, we have 238 employees and manage over $2.5 billion in assets, standing tall among Canada’s leading credit unions.
For more information visit www.thrivingtogethersk.com or click here.
Cornerstone Credit Union is exploring a substantial renovation and investment to their existing branch facility in the city of Melville.
This renovation will include a complete overhaul of our existing branch, featuring modern technology, improved environmental sustainability, and a welcoming environment designed to better serve our members. The updated space will offer advanced digital banking options, expanded financial services and comfortable areas for personalized service.
"At Cornerstone Credit Union, we are committed to the communities we serve. This major renovation is not just an upgrade to our facilities, but a commitment to our members and the city of Melville,” said Doug Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Cornerstone Credit Union. “We are excited to create a space that not only reflects our dedication to innovation, but also fosters stronger connections with the community. Our goal is to enhance the overall experience and support the financial well-being of our members and employees.”
A new design for the Melville branch has been developed, with major updates to the interior layout and exterior facade. Through the creation of the new Cornerstone over these past few years, we are better positioned to make this investment. The next step of the project is the tender phase which will invite local contractors to bid on the renovation work. As a member-owned, community-minded credit union, preference will be provided to contractors from within the local region. The tender phase is tentatively scheduled for November 19 – December 9, 2024.
Providing the tender phase goes as planned and the project proceeds, the renovations could begin in early 2025 and would be expected to conclude by the end of 2025. During the construction period, Cornerstone Credit Union has plans to operate as normal. “While we know there would be some disruption during the construction, we will make every effort to develop a plan that will be the least impactful to employees and members,” adds Jones.
Cornerstone believes that this renovation will strengthen their presence in Melville and further supports their vision to improve the financial well-being of the members, employees and communities they serve.
Cornerstone is committed to sharing more updates as they come available with this exciting project.
