Who we are

Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union is a cooperatively run banking institution chartered in 2008 for the benefit of the Ontario-based members of organizations serving the entertainment industry. Qualified members of ACTRA, NABET, IATSE, the Director's Guild of Canada - Ontario or a member or employee of any of our component organizations (listed under Who Can Join), and who is a resident of Ontario, is eligible to apply for membership.  Immediate family members are also eligible to join.

Credit union members pool their money for the benefit of all.  Money deposited by members is used for loans to other members.  Interest received on those loans is used to pay interest on savings.  Management and staff are paid, whereas the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee are elected by the membership and volunteer their time.  Members are encouraged to serve on committees, run for office, and vote at the annual meeting which will be held in March of each year.

Unlike the big banks, your credit union cares about and serves only one group — our group — the creative community.

What we aren't

Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union is not part of ACTRA, NABET, IATSE or any of our members' organizations.  It is an entirely separate entity, incorporated under the laws of Ontario, and operating at arm's length. It has its own offices and its own finances.  When you save here, your money benefits only yourself and other credit union members.  If you are granted a loan, the money comes from the credit union, not the ACTRA treasury or any of our other constituency organizations.

Elected Representatives

Creatives Arts board of directors consists of 16 individuals elected by the membership at large. They are:

Humble Beginnings

Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union was the brainchild of ACTRA Toronto. A prominent group of ACTRA Toronto members, staff and finance professionals  worked diligently over a number of years on behalf of all professionals in the entertainment and creative arts industry to ensure the dream became a reality.

Known as the Credit Union Working Group, they are:

At a meeting held on June 19, 2008 the incorporators of Creative Arts elected the Credit Union Working Group as the initial Board of Directors.

What is a credit union?

Credit unions are member-owned and not-for-profit financial cooperatives dedicated to improving members' lives. In Canada, 11 million members own more than 1,000 credit unions and caisses populaires.

Excess earnings that the credit union makes are returned to members in the form of dividends, or better rates and services. Stockholders own banks. Banks make money for stockholders, not for members. A credit union is owned by its member/customers. People are eligible to join a credit union based on where they work, live or have affiliations.

If you’re looking to get more value for your money and outstanding personal service, a credit union could be the answer for you.

Cooperative spirit

Credit unions are member-owned and democratically run under the supervision of a board of directors elected from among the membership. Members have the power to direct credit union policy to meet their needs. This ensures that credit union management and staff are held accountable to the members, and are continuously working in their best interest.

People helping people

Credit unions exist to help people. Every member counts. Our goal is to serve all of our members well and have the member’s best interests at heart.

Member satisfaction

Credit unions are rated highly by their members. We consistently outrank other financial institutions in member satisfaction, according to customer service surveys.