The Origins of Sunrise Credit Union

The first credit union in Manitoba was organized in 1937 by a priest, Father Arthur Benoit, in the French farming community of St. Malo. Like most farmers at the time of the Great Depression, they were suffering. Father Benoit brought them together to help each other financially. The first loan financed the purchase of a cream separator.

People began founding credit unions in ever-increasing numbers across the province, and by 1939 there were 19 credit unions in Manitoba, with $49,990 and 2,406 total members.

Today, credit unions remain a secure alternative to the big banks. They continue to offer top quality products, competitive rates, and superior service, and the Seven International Co-operative Principles are still at the heart of everything credit unions do.

If you'd prefer to put your money to work in your community helping others, and share in all the benefits of belonging to a co-operative, discover a different way to bank at your local credit union.

Sunrise Credit Union was officially formed on October 1, 2008 through the strategic merger of its five legacy credit unions – Virden (est.1940), Turtle Mountain (est.1940), Hartney (est.1942), Tiger Hills (est.1943) and Cypress River (est.1960).

Integrity, Honesty, a Cooperative Philosophy, Respect, Fairness, Empathy, Trust, Loyalty, Courage and Optimism are the core values that have guided the success of Sunrise Credit Union for more than 75 years. These values, combined with sound business management have resulted in the growth of our organization, with approximately 220 employees and over $1.8 billion in assets by the end of 2022.

Sunrise Credit Union now boasts 19 branches and about 34,000 members across the Parkland and Western Manitoba region.


Timeline highlighting special events and milestones of Sunrise Credit Union.

1940       Virden Credit Union incorporated

1941       Wassewa Credit Union incorporated, later changing its name to Boissevain Credit Union Society Ltd.

1942       Deleau Credit Union Society was formed, later changing its name to Hartney Credit Union Society Ltd.

1943       Treherne & District Credit Union incorporated, later changing its name to Tiger Hills Credit Union

1947       Grandview Credit Union incorporated

1952       Sandy Lake Credit Union incorporated

1954       Deloraine Credit Union incorporated

1960       Cypress River Credit Union incorporated

1966       Melita Credit Union incorporated

1971       Melita Credit Union merged with Virden Credit Union

1974       Tiger Hills Credit Union opened a branch in Holland

1977       Virden Credit Union opened a branch in Reston

1993       Virden Credit Union opened a branch in Waskada

1998       Cypress River Credit Union opened a branch in Baldur

2001       Deloraine and Boissevain Credit Unions merge to become Turtle Mountain Credit Union

2008       Virden, Turtle Mountain, Hartney, Tiger Hills and Cypress River Credit Unions merged, forming Sunrise Credit Union

2008       $475 million in assets

2010       Sunrise Credit Union opened a branch in Brandon

2013       5-Year Anniversary - $775.8 million in Assets

2014       Sandy Lake Credit Union merged with Sunrise Credit Union

2015       New Corporate office & Brandon branch opened at 2305 Victoria Avenue

2017       Grandview Credit Union merged with Sunrise Credit Union

2018       Prairie Mountain Credit Union merged with Sunrise Credit Union

2018       10-Year Anniversary - $1 billion in Assets

2019       Strathclair Credit Union merged with Sunrise Credit Union

2020       Minnedosa Credit Union merged with Sunrise Credit Union

2021       $1.7 billion in assets