News & Media Archives

For the most recent news releases visit the News and Media home page.

 
Media inquiries, please contact

Kerry Ould, Chief Marketing Officer
kerry.ould@penfinancial.com

 

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PenFi news archive

Nov 1, 2023

PenFinancial engages in preliminary merger discussions

We’re excited to share that PenFinancial has announced our intention to pursue a merger with Mainstreet Credit Union, pending satisfactory due diligence, regulatory approval and a successful member vote.

Read the full news release →

Sept 12, 2023

PenFinancial Credit Union pledges $25,000 to support Gillian’s Place Build a Safer Future campaign

PenFinancial Credit Union has announced a $25,000 pledge to support Gillian’s Place Build a Safer Future campaign. This donation is part of PenFinancial’s Truly Local Commitment which aims to help improve lives and strengthen communities.

Read the full news release →

Sept 1, 2023

$12,000 donation to school nutrition programs

As part of their ongoing Truly Local Commitment, PenFinancial has announced a $12,000 donation to support local school nutrition programs in Niagara and Haldimand.

Read the full news release →

May 5, 2023

Board of Directors announcements

PenFinancial Credit Union has today announced the following changes to its Board of Directors. Reg Sonnenberg has retired from the PenFinancial Board of Directors.

Read the full news release →

April 20, 2023

Mother Earth Day Returns for 2023, Presented by PenFinancial Credit Union

Mother Earth Day, presented by PenFinancial Credit Union and hosted by the Park in the City Committee, returns to Firemen's Park on Saturday, May 13, from 10 am until 4 pm (rain or shine).

Read the full news release →

April 17, 2023

Changes to PenFinancial Credit Union’s Board of Directors

Following another successful virtual AGM and Board Director vote, several changes have been announced for the PenFinancial Credit Union Board of Directors, including the appointment of Sandy Henderson as Board Chair.

Read the full news release →

January 24, 2023

As you may be aware, over the past week, PenFinancial was subjected to a “brute force” attack whereby fraudsters attempted to gain access to Online Banking accounts by targeting accounts with weak passwords.

Our security systems acted as expected by alerting us to unusual activity and then automatically locking any Online Banking accounts after multiple failed attempts to guess passwords. While it may not seem it, this is very positive as it protected accounts against losses, and reinforces that the vast majority of our members had selected secure passwords.

When we became aware of the incident, we took immediate action to protect and monitor member accounts. We also launched an internal investigation and engaged external experts to help assess the situation. We can confirm that only a very limited number of accounts were compromised and we immediately began to work directly with those members impacted; as well as alerting the relevant authorities. We also posted an update on the home page of PenFinancial.com and updated all frontline staff and will continue to follow up with impacted members as appropriate.

Unfortunately, these fraudulent access attempts resulted in a large number of member accounts being locked by our security system. This has required members to either visit a branch, or call our Contact Centre to be reset. We understand this is frustrating, however it was a necessary step to prevent fraudulent activity on these accounts.

Understandably, as part of this process we need to ensure the identity of each member before we can reset the accounts, or we simply re-open the door to the fraudsters. This has resulted in longer than usual wait times in branch and over the phone. We appreciate that your time is valuable and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to you.

These types of attacks are not unique to PenFinancial, and fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in their attempts. We take your privacy and protection very seriously as we know it is the foundation of our relationship with you. We want to assure you that we have industry standard protections in place for online banking and that as soon as we became aware of the incident we took swift and aggressive action to rectify the situation and completed a thorough investigation. We are also taking steps to prevent such an incident from happening again.

It is always important to remain vigilant. Please see our Digital Banking Tips page for more security tips about online banking and remember to be suspicious about unusual activity – if you receive an e-mail or call from PenFinancial, please ensure it is an authentic request – you can reach out to our Contact Centre at 1-866-866-6641 if you have any questions about the authenticity of a request

I would like to personally thank all of our members for their patience during this time. I recognize that this has been an incredibly frustrating situation for all involved, but it has shown us that the security systems we already have in place have been incredibly effective, and also that there is more that we can do proactively

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Please contact our Contact Centre at 1-866-866-6641 if you have any questions.

Theresa Bird
CEO, PenFinancial Credit Union

January 17, 2023

Security Alert – updates

UPDATES: If you recently reset your Online Banking password (PAC)

Here are some tips to ensure that your old password isn’t automatically being entered and inadvertently locking you out again.  We have heard from some members where these factors have been the root cause of their Online Banking account being locked a second time.

  1. Make sure that any memorized passwords in your web browser are cleared
  2. If you are a Mobile App user, make sure you update your Quick View settings by turning Quickview off and logging out. Then log back in and turn Quickview on. This will update the password within Quickview.
  3. If you use any third party financial management apps, such as Mint or Quickbooks, ensure you are also updating these

In the short term, you will also be asked your security challenges on each login to ensure the security of your account – even if you select “Register this computer”.

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On January 11, 2023, we communicated that our security systems identified attempts to gain access to member accounts through Online Banking, targeting accounts with weak passwords. Unfortunately, these types of attacks are becoming increasingly common-place, affecting not only financial institutions, but also other companies and organizations that hold personal data criminals look to access. 

We are continuing our investigation and can confirm that only a limited number of members have been impacted and that the security protocols we have in place performed as expected and automatically locked accounts after multiple failed attempts to guess passwords. We have been in contact with those members who have been affected and we have also reported this incident to the authorities.

The intention of these criminals is to gain access to funds and subsequently transfer the funds elsewhere through a variety of means, such as Interac Online Payments, setting up new Interac e-Transfer recipients to transfer money by email, or setting up new bill payees through Online Banking. In an abundance of caution, we have temporarily disabled some of these features for some members while we complete our investigations.

What can you do to improve the security of your Online Banking?

  • Ensure your PenFinancial Online Banking / Mobile App password is strong, consisting of a minimum of 8 characters including upper case letters, lower case letters and numbers. Your Online Banking password should be unique and not used to access other websites. Learn how to change your password here.
  • Set up Alerts on your account so you are notified of any new activity, such as new logins, addition of new bill payees, or e-Transfer recipients. See how here.
  • Ensure you are set up for Autodeposit if you receive e-Transfers from others.  Autodeposit allows you to receive funds directly into an assigned account without needing to answer the usual security question so it is less likely to be compromised. See how to set up Autodeposit here.

If you need assistance with Online Banking

  • If you are having trouble accessing your Online Banking or any of the functionality and require assistance, you can reach out to us at you may call our Contact Centre at 1-866-866-6641 for assistance. View our Contact Centre hours here. We have temporarily assigned additional team members to the Contact Centre to assist with call volumes.
  • If you require assistance paying a bill, transferring funds, or have other day to day banking needs, you can also visit your local branch.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and assure you that we take the security of our banking systems very seriously. We continue to work with our technology partners to constantly update our systems, and introduce additional security enhancements for our members.

January 11, 2023

Security Alert

We have been alerted to fraudulent attempts to gain unauthorized access to some member accounts through Online Banking.

As a result of the safeguards already in place to ensure our systems are secure, multiple failed login attempts against a member account have resulted in these accounts being automatically locked to protect them from unauthorized access. While we recognize that this is an inconvenience to our members, these protocols have been effective at preventing significant losses.

If your Online Banking account has been locked, you may call our Contact Centre at 1-866-866-6641 for assistance. View our Contact Centre hours here.

For an added layer of protection, we have also implemented additional temporary safeguards, including requiring you to answer the security questions you selected at the time of setting up your Online Banking access each time you login, and disabling the ability to add new bill payees and Interac e-Transfer recipients through Online Banking.

These attacks specifically target accounts with weak passwords, and as per previous communications, we remind all members to ensure they are using a strong password with a mix of uppercase letters, lower case letters and numbers; and to use a password that is unique to Online Banking.

Unfortunately, these types of attacks are becoming increasingly common-place, affecting not only financial institutions, but also other companies and organizations that hold personal data criminals look to access. 

For additional ways you can help ensure your Online Banking is secure, view our Digital Banking How-to guides for more tips.

September 28, 2022

PenFinancial Credit Union donates to the Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund

Hurricane Fiona has caused untold damage along the Atlantic Coast, affecting families and communities with torrential rain and flooding that has destroyed homes and businesses.

To help support the recovery efforts, PenFinancial Credit Union has made a $5,000 donation to the Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal. Through this donation, the Canadian Red Cross will be able to provide emergency relief, humanitarian aid, and support recovery and resilience for those impacted by this disaster.

→ Read the full news release

August 3, 2022

PenFinancial Credit Union welcomes Theresa Bird as new Chief Executive Officer

PenFinancial Credit Union is pleased to announce Theresa Bird as the credit union’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 12, 2022.

Joining PenFinancial as Chief Retail Officer in January 2021, then becoming its Chief Operating Officer, Theresa comes to the role with nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services sector – experience that has shaped her belief that financial service to members and the community can and should be a rewarding and valuable experience, for staff and members alike.

Theresa will succeed outgoing CEO Ken Janzen, who will officially retire September 30.

→ Read the full news release

July 26, 2022

PenFinancial Credit Union partners with CMHA Niagara and Armstrong Strategy Group on Trauma-informed Care Champion Learning Collaborative

A newly-released survey by the University at Buffalo’s Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (ITTIC) illustrates the impact trauma has on these Niagara sectors: Not only have the vast majority of clients faced trauma, it’s also an issue for agency staff, who often experience trauma vicariously through their clients.  To support community agencies better support their clients, PenFinancial Credit Union has announced  funding funding for community agencies to become trauma-informed through a program called “Trauma-Informed Care Champion Learning Collaborative” delivered by ITTIC.

Read the full news release →

May 25, 2022

PenFinancial Credit Union officially opens new branch in Niagara Falls

An official opening ceremony was held on May 24th for PenFinancial's newest branch at 7190 Morrison St. in Niagara Falls Ontario. During the opening ceremonies a donation was made to Project Share as part of our Truly Local Commitment.

Read the full news release →

May 4, 2022

PenFinancial Credit Union CEO announces retirement

Coming off a record setting year in 2021, Ken Janzen, Chief Executive Officer of PenFinancial Credit Union today announced his intention to retire in fall 2022.

Read the full news release →

April 8, 2022

PenFinancial announces partnership with Willow Arts Community

As part of our Truly Local Commitment to health and wellbeing, PenFinancial is proud to announce our partnership with Willow Arts Community as the Arts Training Sponsor for the 2022 spring season.

Read the full news release →

February 28, 2022

PenFinancial responds to Ukraine crisis with a $5,000 donation

In response to the rapidly escalating crisis in Ukraine, PenFinancial has made a $5,000 donation to help people affected and in need of humanitarian assistance.  

Funds are being directed to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation Humanitarian Appeal which is providing humanitarian assistance/relief in the areas of Assistance to displaced persons, Medical care, Emergency shelter and Food security.

Our thoughts go out to those affected by this crisis.  

October 20, 2021

Stronger Together – Niagara Credit Unions join forces in support of 2022 Canada Summer Games

In the spirit of National Co-op Week and International Credit Union Day, PenFinancial Credit Union has joined forces with Meridian Credit Union and FirstOntario Credit Union to provide vital support to the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, and encourage the community to get involved in next year’s Games.

Read the media release →

September 8, 2021

PenFinancial Credit Union signs on for green electricity and green natural gas with Bullfrog Power®

Canada’s leading green energy provider, Bullfrog Power Inc. (“Bullfrog”), a Spark Power company, announced that PenFinancial Credit Union is choosing green electricity and green natural gas for its Central Services location, and all six branches located throughout Niagara Region and in Dunnville, Ontario.

Read the media release →

August 20, 2021

PenFinancial Credit Union has announced today the resignation of Mario De Divitiis from the Board of Directors.

Mario has been a valued member of the Board since he was first elected in April 2019.  We thank him for his exemplary service and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

August 4, 2021

PenFinancial Credit Union to observe National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

PenFinancial will be observing the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by closing our branches and offices on September 30, 2021 to enable our employees to recognize and remember the legacy of the residential schools. Only by understanding and learning from our past, can we heal and move forward as a country.

Read the media release →

July 19, 2021

Best for the World™ 2021 - Governance

At PenFinancial, we are incredibly proud about being recognized as one of the Best for the World™ B Corps of 2021!

Read the media release →

July 13, 2021

PenFinancial Announces Partnership with 2022 Canada Games

PenFinancial is excited to announce that we have become an official partner of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games — where we will serve as co-sponsor to the Catch The Spirit and Mascot programs, along with sponsoring a leg of the Torch Relay.

Read the media release →

May 31, 2021

PenFinancial Credit Union announces location for new Niagara Falls branch

PenFinancial Credit Union has announced a new Niagara Falls location with a target opening date of December 2021. The branch will be located at 7190 Morrison Street.

The current Dorchester Road branch will be migrated to the new Niagara Falls branch at that time.

Highlights of the new branch include:

  • Easy to access location with ample free parking
  • High profile shopping centre anchored by Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Zehrs
  • Almost exactly halfway between the Dorchester branch and former Huggins branch locations
  • A much larger space that will be customized for our immediate needs, and support future growth
  • Ample space to accommodate social distancing and other COVID safety measures as needed

 “PenFinancial remains committed to the Niagara Falls community. Our investment in this new branch will provide both our staff and members with a more modern facility that will better serve our needs both now, and well into the future,” said Ken Janzen, CEO of PenFinancial Credit Union. “This investment also reinforces the strength of our business and our commitment to the continued growth and sustainability of PenFinancial Credit Union.”

 

For more information, and regular updates on progress, visit penfinancial.com/NiagaraFalls

April 20, 2021

February 3, 2021

PenFinancial Credit Union announces a $10,000 donation in the memory of former CEO Bob Watson

The donation will be made to Wellspring Niagara which offers a wide variety of programs and services to meet the social, emotional, restorative and informational needs of people living with cancer.

In addition, the Community Room at the PenFinancial Branch at Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines will be renamed to the Bob Watson Community Room in Bob’s honour.

Read the media release.

January 22, 2020

Remembering Bob Watson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Watson on January 19, 2021. Bob was the former CEO of PenFinancial Credit Union for over thirty years until his retirement in August 2016. Bob was passionate about the Credit Union system and PenFinancial, and he had a deep passion for our Members and staff.

In his retirement comments he noted “helping Credit Union Members plan their dreams was inspirational”.  PenFinancial is a result of his vision as he led the merger of 8 Niagara Credit Unions over the years into what we enjoy today.

Bob will be remembered for his indomitable spirit, compassion and dedication to his local community. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues at PenFinancial.

Our condolences are with his wife Mary, his four children and the grandchildren he cherished.

Online condolences can be made at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com.

BobWatson_Skates4Kids

December 18, 2020

To make contactless payments even more convenient, Interac Flash tap limits have increased.  As a PenFi Member you can now use your debit card to make purchases of up to $250 per tap transaction to a cumulative amount of $400 without needing to re-enter your PIN.  To activate this change, you simply need to complete three consecutive chip transactions.   There is no time limit on completing these transactions, however they must be consecutive and not include any tap transactions in between. These can be made at an ATM or at point of sale.
November 19, 2020 $20,000 Donation to Socks for Change to help those in need this winter
October 5, 2020 In consultation with our Board of Directors, and other business considerations, we have made the decision to merge the Bunting Road and Huggins Street branches with our Fourth Avenue and Dorchester Road branches respectively. Please visit penfinancial.com/branch-news for more details.
September 17, 2020 Effective immediately, Mr. Chris Lamb will no longer be serving on PenFinancial’s Board of Directors. We thank him for his service.
April 20, 2020 $10,000 in scholarships to be awarded to Niagara students
April 09, 2020 PenFinancial  donates $20,000 to local organizations during COVID-19 crisis
April 19, 2019 PenFinancial first Niagara based company to become a Certified B Corporation®
July 10, 2018 PenFinancial First Major Private Sector ‘Living Wage Employer’ in Niagara
June 19, 2018 PenFinancial’s Fourth Avenue Branch Fast Facts
March 9, 2018 Local partnership provides financial education and support to help break the cycle of poverty
January 31, 2018 PenFinancial to Officially Kick Off Their Truly Local Commitment to Niagara
July 6, 2017 Federal regulator bans use of common terms “to bank” and "banking” by Credit Unions
May 3, 2017 New Director of Finance Appointed at Niagara’s Truly Local Credit Union
December 19, 2016 Pelham Community will enjoy a Truly Local Banking Alternative in 2017
November 2, 2016 Free seminars to address how social enterprise is a viable business model for Niagarans
August 26, 2016 New Drive-Thru ATM to serve Thorold community
August 15, 2016 PenFinancial’s new CEO looks to hit the ground running
July 28, 2016 Local high school student wins $2,000 scholarship through Niagara based video contest
June 16, 2016 PenFinancial Credit Union Announces New CEO
June 15, 2016 PenFinancial Credit Union to Open New Branch on Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines
June 1, 2016 PenFinancial Credit Union Announces the Retirement of former Dunnville and District Credit Union CEO, Don Ecker
May 16, 2016 PenFinancial asks Niagara students “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
April 15, 2016 Dunnville and District Credit Union Members Approve Merger with PenFinancial Credit Union
March 15, 2016 PenFinancial looks to share their ‘Truly Local Advice’ with Niagara
December 7, 2015 PenFinancial Credit Union CEO Announces Retirement
October 27, 2015 Dunnville and District Credit Union to join PenFinancial Credit Union
October 19, 2015 Brock welcomes new PenFinancial scholarship aimed at Niagara area high school graduates
October 19, 2015 PenFinancial Credit Union supports community-minded, local students
October 15, 2015 New index grades Ontario municipalities on co-operative values and community strength
July 8, 2015 Local high school student wins $2,000 scholarship through Niagara based video contest
May 8, 2015 PenFinancial asks Niagara students “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
August 21, 2014 Sprowt.ca Video Scholarship Contest awards $4,000 to five local students
August 20, 2014 Local Credit Union invests $50,000 in Fort Erie Community
June 19, 2014 Membership overwhelmingly approves merger of two local credit unions
May 28, 2014 PenFinancial Credit Union recognized for Marketing Excellence at National Conference
May 26, 2014 Sprowt Video Scholarship winners thriving in Niagara!
May 6, 2014 PenFinancial asks Niagara students “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
January 28th, 2014 Two local credit unions in merger discussions
January 21, 2014 PenFinancial Credit Union Encourages Niagara Residents to Bank with a Higher Purpose
January 10, 2014 Wellspring Niagara recipient of PenFinancial’s Memorial tournament
December 10, 2013 PenFinancial Credit Union hopes to help make the holidays a little brighter for families in Niagara
November 22, 2013 PenFinancial Credit Union Collecting Donations in Support of Philippines Relief Efforts
July 9, 2013 Local students awarded a total of $4,000 in scholarships through Niagara based video contest
May 8, 2013 PenFinancial Credit Union and WRCC Continue to Grow our Community Together
March 8, 2013 $4,000 up for grabs as Sprowt.ca launches their video scholarship contest
December 14, 2012 PenFinancial Sparkle Lighting Awards Winners Announced
December 10, 2012 PenFinancial Sparkle Lighting Awards judging to take place December 12th
September 24, 2012 PenFinancial’s Jayne Paquin Awarded “Manager of the Year” by Credit Union Managers’ Association
May 7, 2012 PenFinancial making financial literacy fun for local students