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 $1.7 billion in assets by the end of 2021.
Sunrise Credit Union now boasts 19 branches 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