Students have returned to class this week, and I’m sure that from kindergarten to post-secondary, all are excitedly getting organized for a new school year. At CUA, we know that a big part of back-to-school involves financial preparedness, so I thought I’d share some financial advice and resources for students of all ages.

Research has shown that having some level of savings set aside for post-secondary schooling encourages youth to see it within their reach. When it comes to putting these funds away for the future, it’s important to have a plan in place. Whether your goals involve saving for your child’s education or your own, getting started is the most important step. You might consider a mySavings account for everyday savings, or investing in an RESP for the long-term. If you’re already in school, we also offer a myChequing Student account designed especially for students who are attending college or university.  Whatever your plans include, you can reach out to a member of our team any time to discuss the best way to save for your situation.

As I mentioned in last month’s message, to help ease the financial stress of getting back to class, this month we are contributing $10,000 to ten lucky students’ futures. Our $10K in a Day event closes at midnight tonight, September 7th, so if you haven’t already, make sure to submit your ballot for a chance to win one of ten $1,000 tuition prizes, or the $750 bonus draw in honour of CUA’s 75th Anniversary. Students may also have noticed our Better Way Street Team visiting campuses yesterday and today, where team members were meeting students and distributing great prizes. To learn more about $10k in a Day and for a last chance to enter your ballot, visit cua.com/10k.

In other upcoming news, as a customer-owner, your input into CUA has a meaningful impact on our priorities and operations. That’s why each year, we ask for your feedback in our Annual Member Survey. The 2023 Survey will be available between September 20th - October 11th, and you can access it by visiting cua.com/survey. The responses we receive help shape the products and services we offer and guide our efforts to provide relevant and meaningful experiences to our customers. Additionally, members who complete the Survey will be entered into a draw for a $1,000 cash prize. Mark your calendars and remember to share your feedback later this month.

I hope you have a wonderful fall season, and to our student members, I wish you the very best of luck in the upcoming academic year. To all of our members, if you have questions about any of our banking products, the Annual Member Survey, or would like to speak to a member of the CUA team about your financial needs, call 902.492.6500 or email us anytime at info@cua.com.

Your CEO,

Marie Mullally