Assiniboine Credit Union's new branch in True North Square.
Celebrating ACU’s commitment to the community and our environment
Asper alumnus and Assiniboine Credit Union Board Vice-Chair speaks about using business as a force for good
In June 2020, Manitoba-based Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU) achieved a B Corp Certification with the sixth highest assessment score in the world. The credit union’s B Corp score is also the highest ever recorded in Canada, making them the nation’s best company at using the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
ACU achieved the impressive B Corp Certification score based on the credit union meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, employee well-being, community investment, local economic impact, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. According to the B Corp criteria, it is one of the only certifications in the world that is not only for a product or service, but also for the whole business behind the product or service.
Asper alumnus, Paul Lacap
Asper Alum and Associates member, Paul Lacap [BComm. (Hons.)/04] has an inside perspective of ACU’s value-based thinking. He has been a board member for ACU for more than five years and is the current Vice-Chair and Director for the credit union, serving as chair of the Human Resources Policy & Compensation Committee.
“ACU received a remarkable assessment score of 166.4 in the B Corp Certification process,” says Lacap. “It really goes to show how we think as an organization, how we act, and how every single decision is steeped in values.”
The Asper School of Business has strong alumni representation with ACU, including President and CEO Kevin Sitka [MBA/03], Director of Marketing, Dean Beleyowski [BComm. (Hons.)/92, MBA/03] and Digital Director, Sara Rusak [MBA/19] who are all part of ACU’s leadership team.
With 16 banking locations in Winnipeg and Northern Manitoba, ACU prides itself as a business with a mission and vision to create a world in which financial services in local communities create sustainable futures for all. Working to reduce inequality, creating healthier environments, supporting stronger communities, and creating high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.
ACU does more than just articulate these commitments, the organization and its employees live by these values and work to hire people that want to work at and do business with businesses that are a force for good.
As the University of Manitoba Director of Digital Strategy and Engagement, Lacap also balances his duties on the ACU board with other board roles, including the Victoria General Hospital, United Way, and the Forks Foundation but says his connection to the ACU is based on the credit union’s focus on the community and its values-based decision-making process.
“There’s a conversation that always happens with all of our different decisions on it’s not just the profit,” says Lacap. “Are we doing the right thing for the community? Have we approached it in a way that makes sense? Have we also looked at what its impact is on the planet? So even when we’re looking at revenue goals, we’re asking ourselves, do we create a community financial sector that supports nonprofits?”
According to Lacap, ACU’s commitment to “money doing more” is embedded into how people think through from start to finish as an employee, as a board member and even as a member with the organization.
“Our goal as an organization is to inspire others to do the same.”