Our History

In 1948, our banking institution first opened its doors to customers at the Dockyard Credit Union location in Halifax. Since then, the financial well-being of our customers has always been a top priority.
Today, with total assets of over $640 million and branches spanning from Cole Harbour to Tantallon, a Corporate Office, Commercial Lending and a dedicated Customer Contact Centre, we continue to provide flexible products, personalized service and quick decisions for our members, opening the door to a brighter financial future for everyday people.
For 70 years and counting, we look forward to continuing to build a stronger community, one customer at a time.
Milestones:
2019 | Partnership with Halifax Chamber of Commerce |
CUA introduces Foreign Resident Mortgage | |
2018 | Spryfield branch location opens |
CUA introduces new line of credit cards | |
2017 | Assets top $460 million |
Partnerships with CEED, Centre of Entrepreneurship Education and Development, Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) | |
2015 | CUA becomes the first B Corp-certified company in Atlantic Canada and the third in Canada |
2011 | e-Transfers introduced |
2008 | Installation of chip card-enabled ATM machines |
Amalgamation of CUA with Halifax Civic Credit Union | |
2007 | Launch of online banking tool, known as MemberDirect® Integrated Services |
Launch of basic personal income tax service | |
Tantallon branch location opens | |
2006 | Cow Bay Road branch relocates to its current location on Pleasant Street |
2005 | Energy Efficiency Financing is introduced |
2003 | CUA listed as one of the top 101 companies in Atlantic Canada for 10 consecutive years according to Progress Magazine |
2002 | Wellspring Financial Management, a wealth management subsidiary, is introduced |
Halifax Shopping Centre Annex branch location opens | |
2001 | Net income increases 54% over previous year |
1998 | CUA Financial Service (CUAFS) is introduced |
1997 | Clayton Park Branch purchased from Laurentian Bank of Canada |
Eastern Passage Branch relocates to its current location on Cumberland Drive | |
1996 | Opening of Customer Contact Centre |
1995 | Amalgamation of CUA with Halifax West Aquinas |
1994 | Assets top $100 million |
Alamgamation of CUA with Russel Credit Union | |
1993 | Acquiring of Eastern Passage Credit Union and Saint Anslem's Credit Union |
1992 | Establishment of CUA Community Development Fund |
1991 | Amalgamation of Halifax Metro Credit Union and name change to CUA |
1989 | Joins Interac and Plus ABM Network |
1986 | Plastic financial card (now known as the debit card) is introduced |
1985 | Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF) is introduced |
1977 | Amalgamation with Rail Air Savings |
Adoption of interest-bearing chequing account | |
1976 | Computer terminals is installed in most branches |
1974 | First computer system is introduced |
1973 | Beginning of conventional mortgage financing provided |
Adoption of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) | |
Acquires CBC Halifax Staff | |
1969 | Name of Dockyard Credit Union changed to Federal Savings Credit Union |
1967 | Amalgamation with Army Civil Credit Union |
1964 | First million dollars in assets is reached |
1948 | Dockyard Credit Union is established |
1925 | Nova Scotian farmers urge for a Credit Union Law in Nova Scotia |
1909 | First 'People's Bank' is established in Quebec |
The Credit Union Movement comes to North America |