At PenFinancial, being Truly Local is the reason we exist.
As a member-owned financial co-operative with deep roots in Niagara and Haldimand, every decision we make is guided by the belief that the success of our Members and the prosperity of our region go hand in hand.
When you choose to bank with PenFinancial, you’re choosing a credit union that is committed to reinvesting in the people, organizations, and neighbourhoods we serve. The money you entrust to us help support local members, families, and businesses, while a portion of our profits is reinvested through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and community initiatives.
The difference is something you can see firsthand. Whether it’s a local charity receiving funding, an organization expanding its impact, or a neighbourhood event bringing people together, the benefits of banking locally are felt right here in our Niagara and Haldimand communities.
It’s all part of our Truly Local Commitment, a promise to use business as a force for good, to improve lives, strengthen communities, and create a positive impact for the people and places we proudly call home.
What Is Our Truly Local Commitment?
Our Truly Local Commitment is more than a statement, it’s something we put into action every day.
It’s reflected in the way we support local organizations, create opportunities for people to connect, and empower our employees to get involved in meaningful ways across Niagara and Haldimand.
In the sections below, we’ll share a few of the key ways this comes to life through direct investment, our Truly Local Grant Program, the Bob Watson Community Room, and the work of our Truly Local Ambassadors.
Together, these initiatives help create lasting impact where it matters most.
Investing in Our Communities
Each year, we dedicate resources to organizations that are making a real difference close to home. In 2025 alone, we invested almost $135,000 back into the work happening right here in our regions. 
Through sponsorships, partnerships, donations, and ongoing support, we help strengthen programs and initiatives that matter to the people who live and work here.
Our efforts also extend to the environment through our partnership with Bullfrog Power. We purchase green electricity to power all our PenFinancial locations in order to help reduce our environmental footprint and support the growth of renewable energy in Canada. It’s one more way we’re helping build a sustainable future for generations to come.
But investment isn’t only about funding established programs, we also believe in helping great ideas grow.
Supporting Local Ideas Through the Truly Local Grant Program
Some of the most meaningful change starts with a simple idea and a group of people determined to make a difference. 
The Truly Local Grant Program helps bring those ideas to life.
Each year, charities and non-profit organizations located in Niagara or Haldimand can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support projects, programs, and initiatives that create positive local impact. We award a total of $25,000 annually, helping organizations turn their vision into action.
If you are, or know of, an organization with a project that could use funding, applications for our 2026 Truly Local Grant Program are now open and will be accepted until September 30, 2026.
Learn more, see past grant recipients, or apply.
Creating Space with the Bob Watson Community Room
While funding helps remove financial barriers, we also look for practical ways to support community groups, like providing a space to meet, plan, and collaborate.
The Bob Watson Community Room at our Fourth Avenue branch in St. Catharine's provides a free, accessible space for charities and non-profits to gather, plan, and host meetings or events.
By removing the cost barrier of meeting space, organizations can focus their time and resources on what matters most: their mission.
Learn more about the Bob Watson Community Room, or request a booking.
Empowering Employees to Make a Difference
Being Truly Local starts with our people.
We believe in fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference. That includes our commitment to paying a living wage and creating opportunities for employees to give back to causes they care about.
Through our Truly Local Ambassador Program, employees are encouraged to volunteer with organizations throughout Niagara and Haldimand. Team members choose the causes that matter most to them, and PenFinancial makes a financial contribution to the organization on the employee’s behalf.
The result is a culture of giving back that extends far beyond our branches and into the neighbourhoods, organizations, and causes that help our regions thrive.
Why Banking Local Matters
Every financial institution offers products and services, but what makes a credit union different is what happens with the profits.
As a member-owned financial co-operative, our success is shared with the people we serve. When you bank with PenFinancial, you’re helping create opportunities for local businesses, support important organizations, and strengthen both the Niagara and Haldimand communities.
Because when our communities succeed, we all succeed, and that’s what Truly Local means to us.
It's a commitment we’re proud to make every day.
