Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

As a member-owned co-operative, Innovation FCU prioritizes engaging and collaborating with stakeholders to shape its future and the work carried out within the community. The next step for Innovation FCU is to incorporate the principles of responsible banking into these consultations and establish a formal process for engaging stakeholders in discussions and action plans related to sustainability, as outlined by the PRB. Stakeholder groups currently engaged and consulted by Innovation FCU include:

Members: Innovation FCU conducts ongoing member research and feedback surveys throughout the year. The organization’s strong community engagement, charitable giving, and opportunity creation have contributed positively to social equity in sustainability.

First Nations Leaders: Innovation FCU’s executive team and board members have been building relationships with First Nations Leaders and communities to better understand their unique challenges, including those related to remote and northern locations, community needs, perceptions of money, financial education, environmental and cultural preservation, economic development, and specific claims. These efforts aim to foster partnerships that honour the interests of ‘the next seven generations.’

Third Parties: Innovation FCU collaborates with various groups to enhance its impact, including the Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network, Indigenous Wealth Financial, First Nations Carbon Summit, AFOA Canada, Saskatchewan Solar Co-Op, and many others.

CCUA: The Canadian Credit Union Association serves as a valuable partner and stakeholder, with multiple working groups dedicated to sustainability. Through these collaborations, Innovation FCU shares insights and learns from other Canadian credit unions about approaches to sustainability and evolving regulatory requirements.

Innovation FCU’s next step is to intentionally integrate discussions around its areas of impact and strategic targets with these groups.

How did Innovation FCU identify and work on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts?

In its 2023-2024 PRB Self-Assessment Report Innovation FCU reports that it identified and worked on strategic business opportunities to increase positive and reduce negative impacts as follows:

Innovation FCU’s Indigenous Connector Group employs various strategies to engage Indigenous peoples and communities. One such approach is Banking Days, during which the Innovation FCU team travels to remote communities and reservations to collaborate directly with community members on financial education and assist with establishing basic banking services. The Connector Group also cultivates direct relationships with Indigenous economic development corporations, Nations, and entrepreneurs. While other financial institutions are closing remote branches, Innovation FCU is committed to opening them in areas with limited or no access to financial services.

Specific Claims Financing offers First Nations bands the capital necessary to pursue specific claims with the federal government. These claims relate to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. This specialized financing product does not encumber the Nation, and Innovation FCU conservatively estimates that the three bands currently engaged with the program will save over $30 million compared to traditional legal routes. These savings contribute to long-term sustainability and positive impacts for the communities.

Innovation FCU has also developed a ‘no questions asked’ emergency overdraft program for remote and northern communities affected by wildfires. This initiative provides members with peace of mind as they navigate the challenges posed by these natural disasters.

Innovation FCU supports members in accessing programs such as the Energy Efficient Home Renovation Loans in collaboration with CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) and the CMHC Green Home program. These initiatives enable eligible members to receive a refund of up to 25% of the loan premium. Additionally, Innovation FCU assists members in participating in the Auto Loan for Zero-Emission Vehicles Incentive, offered through the Government of Canada, which provides incentives of up to $5,000 for qualifying zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).

Innovation FCU has partnered with NEI Investments, Canada’s leading provider of Responsible Investment (RI) solutions, to create a positive impact for investors, partners, and society at large. NEI offers Canada’s most diversified selection of actively managed RI funds, advised by top institutional money managers and overseen by NEI’s propriety Investment Management, Asset Allocation, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) teams.

Innovation FCU’s Young Farmers Financing Program supports new farmers under 40 in entering an industry that is often challenging to break into without a farming background. The program offers preferred rates and enhanced flexibility in credit access for start-up farmers with higher risk profiles and low equity. This initiative helps promote greater diversity and opportunity within the farming sector, while also contributing to food security and fostering innovation.

In addition, Innovation FCU makes direct investments in green and sustainable projects, such as the Saskatchewan Solar Co-Opp and the Water Equity Fund.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

• • • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
    • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
    • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Innovation FCU, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.innovationcu.ca/content/dam/innovationcu/en/resources/2023-principles-responsible-banking-self-assessment.pdf

Note to Innovation FCU: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

Stakeholder identification and consultation

Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.

As a member-owned cooperative, Innovation FCU prioritizes engaging and collaborating with stakeholders to shape its future and its community efforts. Innovation FCU’s next step is to incorporate the Principles for Responsible Banking into these consultations and establish a formal process for engaging stakeholders in conversations and action plans around sustainability as defined by the PRB. Currently, Innovation FCU engages and consults with the following stakeholder groups:

Members: Innovation FCU conducts member research and feedback surveys throughout the year. Innovation FCU’s high level of community engagement, giving, and opportunity creation has led to positive social equity in terms of sustainability.

Board: The board has a Community and Member Relations committee. Management reports to this committee quarterly and collaborates with them to advance and report on CSR and ESG initiatives.

Innovation Nation (Innovation FCU’s People): Guided by its codebook and the internal mantra of Responsible Banking, Innovation FCU’s culture focuses on “doing the right thing.” In its smaller communities, Innovation FCU’s people act as its eyes and ears, providing continuous feedback on community issues. Innovation FCU dedicates funds and volunteer hours for its staff to invest in their communities.

First Nations Leaders: Innovation FCU’s executive team and board members have been building relationships with First Nations leaders and communities to understand their unique challenges, including those related to remote and northern locations, community needs, perceptions around money, financial education, environmental and cultural preservation, economic growth, and the pursuit of specific claims. Innovation FCU is forming partnerships with “the next seven generations” in mind.

CCUA: The Canadian Credit Union Association is a valuable partner and stakeholder with multiple working groups focused on sustainability. Through these groups, Innovation FCU shares insights and learns from other Canadian credit unions on how they approach sustainability and evolving regulatory requirements.

The next step for Innovation FCU is to deliberately integrate conversations around its areas of impact and targets with these groups.

How did Innovation FCU work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?

In its 2022 and 2023 PRB Self-Assessment Report Innovation FCU reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

Innovation FCU has always collaborated closely with the communities it serves to foster sustainability and prosperity, which is integral to its approach. Innovation FCU’s next step is to evolve and formalize these inherent practices to meet the requirements of the PRB, deepen its understanding of its impact areas, and achieve its chosen targets.

 

UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet

With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.

FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:

First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience

• • • FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
    • FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
    • FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.

The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.

 

References:

This case study is based on published information by Innovation FCU, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.innovationcu.ca/content/dam/innovationcu/en/resources/2022-principles-responsible-banking-self-assessment.pdf

Note to Innovation FCU: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.