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Vision Credit Union at a glance

Vision Credit Union was founded in Camrose, Alberta, over 70 years ago. Today, Vision is the third-largest credit union in the province with more than $2.3 billion in assets.

Vision Credit Union account options
Savings
Chequing
Credit cards
Investing
Other Vision Credit Union services
Loans
Mortgages
Lines of credit
Insurance
Business and agriculture solutions

Vision Credit Union overview

Vision Credit Union is the third-largest credit union in Alberta, with 24 branches across the province, more than 37,000 members and over $2 billion in assets. Vision offers a variety of financial products, including an extensive offering of chequing accounts geared towards individuals, businesses and people in the farming industry. It also offers products designed to fit the needs of students, new parents and seniors in the communities it serves.

Vision Credit Union takes pride in being rooted in rural Albertan communities. With products ranging from basic bank accounts and credit cards to investment, loan and insurance options, Vision Credit Union aims to cover its members’ financial needs in all areas of life.

Online banking capabilities at Vision Credit Union

Vision Credit Union members have access to branch, phone and online banking, as well as a mobile app.

With online banking, Vision Credit Union members can access their accounts 24/7 from their computer. They can use online banking for bill payments, Interac e-transfers, money transfers, mobile deposits, stop payments and updates to personal information. Members can also use the Vision Credit Union mobile app to manage their accounts from iOS and Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

Is my money safe at Vision Credit Union?

All deposits made into accounts at Vision Credit Union are 100% guaranteed by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. This guarantee includes your original deposit and any interest earned, and there is no maximum dollar amount.

Vision Credit Union’s online banking and mobile app use high-level security features. You can also choose to set up and manage alerts and add two-factor authentication to your account. Of course, it’s also up to you to keep your login and password information safe and only use trusted and secure devices for your online or mobile banking.

As for Vision Credit Union credit cards, they all come with purchase protection and Zero Liability from Mastercard and Visa to protect you against any potential fraud.

Vision Credit Union account types

Vision Credit Union has a wide range of chequing and savings accounts to fit the needs of individuals, businesses and farmers.

Vision Credit Union savings account

Maximizer Savings Account: A basic savings account with no monthly fee. Includes two free monthly debits, but transactions other than deposits and imaged statements incur fees. Interest is earned at a tiered rate.
Maximizer Advantage Savings Account: This account has no monthly fee, but transactions other than deposits and imaged statements incur fees. Interest is earned at a higher tiered rate than the basic Maximizer account.
AgriInvest Savings Account: A no-fee savings account with any time withdrawals for food producers and farmers who qualify for the federal AgriInvest program. The Government of Canada’s AgriInvest program will match your allowable net contribution to a maximum of your net earnings each year. Note that this account is not eligible for Vision profit shares.
USD Savings Account: Meant for basic U.S. banking needs, this account has no monthly fee. However, transactions each have individual fees and online banking is not available.

Vision Credit Union chequing accounts

Most of Vision Credit Union’s personal chequing accounts come with a host of added benefits and free online banking services.

Personal chequing account options

Traditional Account Chequing Account: A basic bank account for a $1 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $250. It comes with two free ATM withdrawals or transfers per month. All other services except imaged statements incur fees.
Traditional Advantage I Chequing Account: Includes 25 transactions per month, unlimited Interac e-transfers, in-person bill payments, ATM and telephone banking. The monthly fee is $6 and the chequing account earns tiered interest.
Traditional Advantage II Chequing Account: For a $12 monthly fee, this chequing account includes 50 transactions, unlimited Interac e-transfers, in-person bill payments, ATM and telephone banking.This account earns tiered interest.
Traditional Advantage Max Chequing Account: Includes unlimited self-serve and in-branch transactions, as well as 10 free transactions at non-credit union ATMs. The monthly fee is $18 account fee can be waived with a minimum balance of $5,000. This chequing account earns tiered interest.
Hi-Tec Plan: For a monthly fee of $8.50, get unlimited free transactions through online banking and at credit union ATMs. But there’s a fee for any in-branch transactions. This chequing account earns tiered interest.
Grow With Us Account: This youth chequing account is for individuals up to 18 years of age and under. It has no monthly fees and includes unlimited self-serve transactions and ATM withdrawals and deposits. It also earns tiered interest.
Excel Student Plan: For $3 a month (waived for a minimum balance of $1,000) post-secondary students get 40 free transactions, free Interac e-transfers and five free withdrawals at non-Vision ATMs with this chequing account. The account also earns tiered interest.
Advantage 60+ Chequing Account: For individuals over the age of 60, this chequing account has no monthly fee and includes unlimited electronic transactions and in-branch services, free personalized cheques and more. This account earns tiered interest.
USD Chequing Account: This basic U.S. dollar chequing account earns a tiered interest and comes with a $1 monthly fee, which can be waived with a minimum balance of $250. Transactions are charged based on use, but online banking is not available.

Business chequing account options

Vision Credit Union’s business accounts offer abundant choice to fit the needs of unique businesses, but most accounts do not earn any interest. These account options include the:

Basic Account: This straightforward business chequing account comes with a $6 monthly fee that can be waived with a minimum balance of $2,500. All services are charged based on use.
Business Plan 1 Account: A more accommodating chequing account. With a $15 monthly fee that is waived with a $10,000 minimum balance, account holders get 20 free transactions.
Business Plan 2 Account: This chequing account offers 35 free transactions for a $24 monthly fee that can be waived with a $20,000 minimum balance.
Business Plan 3 Account: A robust chequing account comes with 50 free transactions for a $35 monthly fee that can be waived with a $25,000 minimum balance.
Business Plan 4 Account: Designed for frequent debit users, this chequing account comes with a $47 monthly fee which can be waived with a $30,000 minimum balance. It covers 75 free transactions.
Business Plan 5 Account: This top-tier chequing account includes 100 free transactions for a $65 monthly fee that can be waived for a minimum balance of $35,000.
USD Business Account: A U.S. dollar chequing account for business transactions in the United States come at a $6 monthly fee that can be waived with a minimum balance of $2,500. All transactions are charged based on use.
The Vision Community Account: A no-fee account for Alberta nonprofit organizations, service clubs and teams. The first 25 transactions are free, and deposits earn interest.

Agriculture chequing accounts

Vision Credit Union’s agriculture chequing accounts do not yield interest but offer flexibility of use through the tiered plans. Options include the:

Basic Account: A $5 monthly fee is waived with a minimum balance of $2,000. Account holders are charged based on the services they use.
Ag Plan 1 Account: The plan comes with a $14 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $5,000, and covers 20 free transactions.
Ag Plan 2 Account: The plan includes 35 free transactions for a $23 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $15,000.
Ag Plan 3 Account: This mid-tier plan comes with a $32 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $20,000, and includes 50 free transactions.
Ag Plan 4 Account: For a $45 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $25,000, the plan covers 75 free transactions.
Ag Plan 5 Account: This top-tier account comes with a $60 monthly fee, which is waived with a minimum balance of $30,000, and includes 100 free transactions.

Vision Credit Union credit card accounts

Vision Credit Union offers Visa and Mastercard credit card options for personal use, including:

Personal credit cards

Vision Collabria Classic Mastercard.
Vision Collabria US Dollar Mastercard.
Vision Collabria World Mastercard.
Vision Collabria Cash Back Visa Card.
Vision Collabria Centra Visa Gold Card.
Vision Collabria Cash Back World Elite Mastercard.

Business credit cards

Vision Collabria No Fee Cash Back Visa Business Card.
Vision Collabria Low Rate Visa Business Card.
Vision Collabria Visa Infinite Business Card.

Vision Credit Union investing accounts

Vision Credit Union offers the following investment accounts and products:

Additionally, for members who would like to manage their own investments, Vision Credit Union offers online trading in partnership with the online brokerage Qtrade Direct Investing.

Other Vision Credit Union services

Vision Credit Union also offers the following services, including specific services for businesses and farmers:

Personal services include:

Residential mortgages.
Personal loans.
Lines of credit.
RRSP loans.
Home equity lines of credit (HELOC).
Student Select lines of credit
Vehicle loans.
Mortgage insurance.
Loan insurance.
Line of credit insurance.
Credit card balance protection.
Travel insurance.

Additional services for businesses include:

Commercial mortgages.
Fixed-rate operating and term loans.
Operating and equipment lines of credit.
Authorized overdraft account.
Business line of credit insurance.

Additional services for farmers include:

Agriculture mortgages.
Agriculture loans.
Breeder cattle loans.
Crop input loans.
Authorized overdraft account.
Agriculture lines of credit.

Vision Credit Union fees

Vision Credit Union fees vary based on the accounts you have and how you use them. Here are some of the common fees you may encounter once you exceed the number of free transactions included with your Vision Credit Union account:

Interac e-transfer: $1.00
Online/phone banking bill payments: $0.75
In-branch bill payments: $1.50
Debit purchases: $0.95
Non-credit union ATM transactions: $2.00

Who is Vision Credit Union best for?

Alberta residents looking for a full-service co-operative institution for their personal, business or farming-related financial needs.

Vision Credit Union, one of the top three largest credit unions in Alberta, offers most of the banking products and services that are comparable to traditional banks. The modest network of service locations and credit union ATMs, as well as online banking options, provide flexibility and ease of banking to fit your lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Vision Credit Union

There’s plenty to like about Vision Credit Union, but no bank or credit union is without its drawbacks. Here’s what to consider before you open an account.

Pros

Potential profit sharing opportunity.
Additional products and services for farming clients.
Diverse chequing account options to meet a variety of needs.

Cons

U.S. dollar accounts do not offer online banking.
Only one branch in south Alberta (Pincher Creek) and no branches in Calgary or Lethbridge.
No Mastercard credit card options for business and agriculture clients.

How Vision Credit Union compares to other financial institutions

	Primary region of service	Mobile and online banking	Are deposits insured?
Laurentian Bank	Quebec.	Yes.	Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Access Credit Union	Manitoba.	Yes.	Yes, by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba.
Northern Credit Union	Northern Ontario.	Yes.	Yes, by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s Deposit Insurance Reserve Fund.
Sydney Credit Union	Nova Scotia.	Yes.	Yes, by the Nova Scotia Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Vision Credit Union	Alberta.	Yes.	Yes, by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation.

» MORE: Explore more Banking reviews, and see what other Canadian Big Banks, credit unions and online-only banks have to offer.

You can sign into the Vision Credit Union’s online banking portal from your computer to create an online account. Alternatively, you can sign in to your accounts using the Vision Credit Union mobile app on your Android or Apple smartphone or tablet.

Yes, all deposits made to the Vision Credit Union accounts are 100% guaranteed by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. This guarantee includes your original deposit and any interest earned.

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