UVic Picks Best Financial Institutions For Seniors

Kind and helpful staff, large easy-to-read signage and convenient and accessible washrooms—these are just some of the reasons that two local financial institutions are receiving the thumbs up from the University of Victoria this month.

UVic’s Centre on Aging (COAG) asked CRD residents to name the best financial institution for seniors in 2010. It received 26 nominations for its 2010 “Senior Friendly Business Award” (SFBA)—an annual award honouring businesses that provide the most friendly high-quality services and facilities to customers 55 years of age or better—and picked two winners.

Holly Tuokko, director of the COAG, notes that “With the ever-increasing use of technology for personal banking, it is wonderful to know that some financial institutions continue to value relationships with their customers and go the extra distance to provide outstanding service to seniors in our community.”

The winners of the Senior Friendly Business 2010 Bank or Credit Union Award are the Island Savings Credit Union on Jacklin Road and the TD Canada Trust bank on Shelbourne Avenue. To determine the recipients, the SFBA evaluation committee reviewed the nominations and then visited each location in its list of finalists.

“The Island Savings team is committed to ensuring the banking experience is accessible and easy for our members, especially our seniors,” says John Kazanowski, branch manager of Island Savings’ WestShore location. “Financial transactions on their own can seem daunting, so we try to create a welcoming setting where our members feel comfortable.”

“We are very honoured to be recognized as a senior friendly business by the University of Victoria,” said Carolyn Rioux, branch manager, TD Canada Trust Shelbourne Plaza location. “At TD, we believe we have a role to play in supporting access to banking services to help people help themselves. To this end, TD provides a number of special services to seniors and we believe we are helping to make a difference in their lives.”

The two winners will be presented with plaques on April 14 (Island Savings Credit Union) and April 21 (TD Canada Trust).

Media advisory: Members of the media are invited to attend the award presentations on Thursday, April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Island Savings Credit Union’s Westshore Branch at 2917 Jacklin Road and on Thursday, April 21 at 1:30 pm. at the TD Canada Trust Shelbourne Plaza Branch at 3675 Shelbourne Avenue.

-- 30 --