About company

Me-Dian Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative founded as the Métis Credit Union in 1978. It was a «closed bond» credit union for the Manitoba Métis Federation and its members. Later it was opened up for the entire Indigenous community. Eventually, in 2009, Me-Dian Credit Union was opened to include all residents of Manitoba as associate members. 

The credit union has two locations and more than 200 ATMs in Manitoba and thousands in Canada. The headquarters are in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Me-Dian offers financial products and services: accounts, GICs, mortgages, loans, etc., for personal and business needs. 

Features

1. The Me-Dian credit union is the first Indigenous full-service financial institution established in Canada. At first, it was formed by efforts of the Manitoba Métis Federation and its members, but later included three official Indigenous populations: Métis, First Nations, and Inuit. The credit union's mission is to provide financial services for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. 

2. All Manitobans may join the credit union as associated members. It's a Non-Voting Membership. First Nations, Metis, and Inuit members get Voting Membership. 

3. The people who use the credit union's financial and banking services are its owners and shareholders. The profit is usually used for the prosperity of all members: to provide lower rates on loans and higher rates on deposits than they could get with other financial institutions. 

4. Me-Dian CU mainly provides its services online; it focuses on innovative products that should be available to people all over Manitoba. It only has two locations, both in Manitoba. The credit union provides mobile and digital banking 24/7. 

Pros and cons 

Pros 

• The first full-service credit union for the Canadian Indigenous community  

• Made for the Indigenous population and Manitoba residents 

• Members are owners

• You can join and apply for a loan online

• No unlimited free transaction accounts options

• Great choice of personal and business chequing accounts

• Free savings accounts, even for business 

• Loans tailored to improve or build up a good credit history 

• Lending solutions for not-for-profit and First Nation lending

• Online, mobile, and telephone banking 

• Access to the surcharge-free CU ATMs

Cons

• Two locations to visit, located only in Manitoba 

• Non-voting membership for non-Indigenous customers

• Limited choice of credit cards and savings accounts 

• Lack of information about products and rates on the website 

• Commercial loans and lines of credit application fee is charged

• No mutual funds, stocks, or investment profiles

• No investment platform or wealth management services 

• No welcome offers

• One should be a credit union member to apply

Products

1. Cub Account for members under 18 gives unlimited transactions without a monthly fee. 

2. Moose account offers unlimited transactions, five free e-Transfers, and five non-CU ATM withdrawals. 

3. A Regular Savings account lets you earn interest calculated monthly with no monthly fees.

4. Fresh Start Loans allow members with bad credit history to renew credit files using reasonable payment plans. 

5. Nelson Account Plus is an interest-bearing chequing account for business, giving 200 Deposit or Debit Transactions for $120/month.

6. Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC) with various terms, redeemable and Non-redeemable available for non-registered accounts

7. Credit cards with cash back, travel rewards, US Dollars, and Mastercard or Visa benefits, including insurance, are provided in the partnership with Collabria.

Services 

1. Chequing accounts: no fee accounts for youth and seniors, unlimited or different number of transactions with competitive monthly and service fees.

2. Savings accounts without monthly fees with interest calculated daily or monthly.

3. Lending: term loans, lines of credit, and mortgages with flexible repayments and optional insurance. 

4. Investments: great choice of GICs at the non-registered accounts and RSP, RRIF, RESP, TFSA, and RDSP.

5. Business banking services: wide range of chequing accounts with significant monthly fees, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, lines of credit, payment, and point-of-sale solutions. 

6. Customer Automated Funds Transfer (CAFT) is a secure online service accommodating pre-authorized fund transfer transactions. 

7. Digital and mobile banking allow members to transfer funds, set up bill payments, view account balances, and deposit cheques with one Login ID.