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Message from CEO, Glenn Stang
June 4, 2021
Dear Members,
We are proud to be the official sponsor of the second annual Pride Walk 2021 on June 20, officially kicking off Lloyd Pride 2021. Details for the event are available on the Facebook event page and encourage everyone who can to sign up and attend.*
These events along with many others started and continued a movement to fight for equality. It’s a process that is ongoing today and why events like this are still important.
We were honoured to be asked by the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster to partner with them and we hope this a relationship that grows stronger in the future.
We are proud to be the official sponsor of the second annual Pride Walk 2021 on June 20, officially kicking off Lloyd Pride 2021. Details for the event are available on the Facebook event page and encourage everyone who can to sign up and attend.*While the event is an enjoyable and important show of support, it is a time to reflect and learn about the history of Pride.
The first nation-wide rights events were held in Canada in 1973 as protesters gathered at Parliament Hill with a list of 10 demands for equal rights and protection. That was four years after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which began the modern-day Pride movement and two years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. The first Pride parades in Canada were held in 1981 and the first in Saskatchewan was held in 1995 in Saskatoon. [Source]
These events along with many others started and continued a movement to fight for equality. It’s a process that is ongoing today and why events like this are still important.
We were honoured to be asked by the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster to partner with them and we hope this a relationship that grows stronger in the future.
Glenn Stang, CEO
* COVID-19 protocols will be in place during the event.
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Financial Support for Members
The deadline to apply for CEBA is June 30, 2021.
Please note the Two CEBA application options:
- $60,000 available to NEW (have not applied and been funded) CEBA applicants who meet the eligible criteria. Provides interest-free, partially forgivable loans. Apply below.
- $20,000 expansion (additional) available to existing CEBA loan recipients (have been funded). Similar terms and conditions aside from the forgiveness. Apply below.
Our application process includes the newly expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). The expanded CEBA has broadened to include owner-operated small businesses that have opened a business account after March 1, 2020.
If you are currently operating from a personal account and contemplating a CEBA application and new business account you may like to know there is now a pre-screening tool which is available through the Government of Canada for CEBA 4.0.
- It is important to note, that the information you input from the pre-screening does not carry through to Synergy Credit Union or other financial institutions. The results do not guarantee approval of funding. You can consider this as a tool to help understand if opening a business account for CEBA purposes is advantageous for you.
The CEBA verification process has been updated and this is causing a delay in processing time for some applications. The processing time commences once your application form and all required supporting documentation are received by the Government of Canada. Once your application has been processed, you will hear from us per normal CEBA process. For more information on processing times visit the Government of Canada CEBA webpage.
If you have applied for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and have questions, such as the status or your application, please contact the new CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201 to receive a status update on your application. The CEBA call centre is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST
Synergy small business and non-profit members may now be eligible to receive an interest-free loan of $60,000 through the federal government’s $25 billion Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).
Repaying $40,000 of the loan on or before December 31, 2022, will result in loan forgiveness of $20,000.
How does it work?
Businesses are eligible for CEBA funding through Synergy Credit Union if:
- They are a Canadian operating company (ie. not a holding company) registered and in operation on or before March 1, 2020.
- Have an annual payroll expense is between $20,000 and less than $1.5 million. For applicants with $20,000 or less in total employment income paid in the 2019 calendar year:
- You must have a Canada Revenue Agency business number and has filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
- You have eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1,500,000. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. Expenses will be subject to verification and audit by the Government of Canada.
- Your annual payroll expense is on your 2019 T4 Summary of Remuneration Paid (T4SUM). If you cannot locate your T4SUM, contact Revenue Canada for reissue.
- In addition to your T4SUM, you will also need your business chequing account number. A blank cheque or your statement will have this information.
- Have a 15-digit Canada Revenue Agency Number -- also shown on your T4SUM.
- Your account is in good standing as an existing member.
- Additionally:
- You have not previously used the program to its maximum ($60,000) and will not apply for support under the program at any other financial institution.
- You acknowledge its intention to continue to operate its business or to resume operations.
- You agree to participate in post-funding surveys conducted by the Government of Canada or any of its agents.
- You have not previously used the program to its maximum ($60,000) and will not apply for support under the program at any other financial institution.
The funds from this loan can only be used by the borrower to pay non-deferrable operating expenses of your business, including:
- Payroll
- Rent
- Utilities
- Insurance
- Property tax
- Regularly scheduled debt service.
The funds may not be used to fund any payments or expenses such as prepayment/refinancing of existing indebtedness, payments of dividends, distributions and increases in management compensation.
For more information, contact Synergy Credit Union today by calling 1-866-825-3301 or check out the federal government’s CEBA information page.
What is CERB?
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was created by the federal government to provide temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19.
Who is eligible?
Individuals who are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits, or who have recently exhausted Employment Insurance regular or fishing benefits may also be eligible.
How much does the benefit provide?
The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks.
The benefit is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020. You can apply no later than December 2, 2020, for payments retroactive to within that period.
For more information on CERB:
There are criteria that must be met to apply and the benefit is taxable. We encourage you to visit the Government of Canada's Q&A page for application information.
It is also important to note that this is taxable. We recommend talking to a tax expert about any income tax requirements you should consider.
The BCAP deadline is December 31, 2021.
As part of the federal government’s new $65 billion Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP), Synergy Credit Union and Export Development Canada (EDC) are partnering to provide small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses with financing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program helps businesses access the credit you need to cover payroll and other operating costs during this global health crisis. The EDC BCAP Guarantee provides businesses with up to $6.25 million in credit to cover operational costs like payroll and rent.
How does it work?
If your business needs a new loan to cover operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for the EDC BCAP Guarantee. Proceeds from the BCAP-supported loan cannot be used to repay or refinance existing debt (further restrictions apply to other non-operational costs). Export sales are not required to qualify for the program.
EDC fees related to this guarantee will be deferred for the first six months, giving some short-term relief to your business.
EDC will provide a guarantee to Synergy Credit Union on 80% of the value of your loan. By sharing risk with EDC, we can help your company access the financing it needs.
Please note: the guarantee on the loan is to your financial institution, not your business, so you remain responsible for the full value of the loan.
Next steps:
- Learn more information about the program.
- Reach out to your Synergy representative to help decide if the BCAP program is a good fit for your cash flow needs.
- Fill out the form on the EDC website.
- Your Synergy representative will follow up with the next steps with you.
The HASCAP deadline is December 31, 2021.
The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) is available to Synergy Credit Union business members. The program is intended support to Canadian businesses facing economic hardship demonstrated in revenue decline as a result of the economic environment due to COVID-19.
If you are a qualifying Synergy Credit Union Business member, HASCAP provides you with access to a non-revolving government-guaranteed amortizing term loan between $25,000 up to a maximum amount of $1 million.
- 4% annual fixed interest rate with a repayment term of 10 years.
- No principal payments for 12 months from the date of loan advance.
Who can apply through Synergy?
- Existing Synergy Credit Union members where Synergy is your primary bank or primary lender;
- Canadian-based businesses;
- Your business must have been financially stable and viable prior to the current economic situation;
- You must have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) within the eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application;
- Businesses that are eligible for CERS/CEWS must have applied for these relief programs before they can apply for HASCAP;
- The program is intended to exclusively fund the operational cash flow needs of the business or any of its operating subsidiaries (i.e. payroll, rent, utilities, taxes, scheduled debt repayments and other fixed costs) including any costs incurred in retrofitting its operations to ensure its continued viability.
Contact your Synergy Representative today at 1-866-825-3301 to begin the application process.
More details from the federal government are available here.
Please note, the following are not eligible:
- Businesses whose revenue model is predicated on non-commercial sources such as direct government funding or private donations;
- Government organizations or bodies (other than an indigenous entity or body) as well as entities in which a government organization or body (other than indigenous entities or bands) owns equity interests;
- Non-profit organizations, registered charities, unions, or fraternal benefit societies or orders, or a Person in which any such organization owns equity interests [except if it is actively carrying on a business in Canada (including a related business in the case of a registered charity) that earns revenue primarily from the regular supply of property/goods or services and not from non-commercial sources such as direct government grant funding or private donations];
- Religious organizations, or a Person* in which any such organization owns equity interests;
- Fundraising vehicles for charities;
- A Person in which equity interests are held by any single current member of the Parliament of Canada or any single current member of the Senate of Canada other than a Person* whose equity interests are publicly traded;
- Entities that operate any form of sexually exploitive business or promote violence, incite hatred or discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability;
- Businesses that have been determined to have committed tax evasion.
- Other terms and conditions apply.
COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions
As you may be aware, the Saskatchewan Government has announced that mandatory masking is required for all indoor public spaces, effective Thursday, November 19, 2020. This will include all 11 Synergy Credit Union branches. You will see Synergy team members wearing a mask and we ask that you are prepared to do so when you enter any of our branch locations.
These measures are in effect until further notice.
The federal government has recently announced several legislative changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those adjustments is a change to the calculation of the 2020 required minimum withdrawal for Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF):
- The minimum amount that must be withdrawn from RRIFs will be reduced by 25% for 2020. For example, if your 2020 minimum amount would have been $10,000, the reduced minimum amount will now be $7,500.
- The minimum amount for individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution registered pension plan or pooled registered pension plan will also be reduced by 25% in 2020. Variable benefits are payments made to plan members from a defined contribution pension plan or pooled registered pension plan like a RRIF.
Please note: Individuals who have already withdrawn more than the reduced 2020 minimum amount will not be permitted to re-contribute to their RRIFs an amount up to the 25% proposed reduction.
With the lower RRIF minimum amounts in effect for 2020, you now have more flexibility in managing your retirement savings since you can leave more of your funds in a tax-sheltered environment in 2020, if that best suits your personal cash flow needs for the year.
We would encourage you to call us to discuss your options regarding your RRIF and other retirement savings in 2020. We want to make sure you can maximize your ability to take advantage of this adjustment.
Branches are open on:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Lloydminster branch only. All other branches are closed on Saturday)
- Sunday: Closed
We are still taking extra precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of members and Synergy staff members.
When determining whether a branch visit is necessary, please consider if transaction be completed using one of our online or self-serve tools? We continue to recommend these tools as a first choice:
- Online banking
- Mobile App
- INTERAC e-Transfer†
- Deposit Anywhere™
- Night deposit
- ATMs
- By Phone: 1-866-825-3301 or 1-306-825-3301
- Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 8:00pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
If you are required to visit a branch, please note, Synergy is:
- Limiting the number of people allowed inside our branches at a time. (We thank you for your understanding if asked to wait outside.)
- Reducing the number of open tellers.
- Installing clear barriers at our tellers.
- Stationing greeters near all entrances to guide queuing and help with pre-arranged appointments.
- Managing traffic flow where possible to ensure appropriate physical distancing (members will be asked to follow signage).
- Increasing cleanliness practices, including the use of hand sanitizer upon entry into a branch.
- Sanitization of work areas will occur periodically throughout the day.
- There will continue to be no access to coffee services and public washrooms.
† Trade-mark of Interac Inc. Used under license.
® MEMBERDIRECT & Design are registered trade-marks owned by Credit Union Central of Canada, used under license.
® MEMBERDIRECT & Design are registered trade-marks owned by Credit Union Central of Canada, used under license.
You can feel assured that deposits held at Synergy Credit Union are fully guaranteed by Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. There is no limit to the size of deposit covered by the guarantee – whether $1 or $1,000,000 or more, all deposits are fully guaranteed.
This includes all funds held on deposit with Synergy's:
- Chequing accounts (US and Canadian)
- Savings accounts
- Term deposits
- Registered plans, such as RSPs
- Accrued interest on the above
Most merchants are asking their customers to refrain from using cash as it causes them operational concerns and could be a point of contamination. Please practice safe distancing and increased personal hygiene. You may want to consider cashless options, such as INTERAC e-Transfer† transactions or using your mobile wallet with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
While it has been a general practice for people to make sure they have the essentials on hand (note: NOT hoarding) just in case of an extended stay at home, we are not recommending heading to the ATM and withdrawing large sums of money.
We have a number of safe alternatives to cash that are widely accepted:
- Debit and credit tap: Using the tap function also allows you to avoid having to push buttons on the machine.
- Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay: are all available and are as simple to use as tapping your phone on the point-of-sale machine (similar to the tap function on your debit card).
- INTERAC e-Transfer† transactions: Owe a friend or business some cash? Send a quick (and free in most cases) e-Transfer from your online banking account or mobile app.
- Online banking: Avoid heading out to pay bills by being set up on online banking. It is simple to navigate and will ensure your payments are completed in a quick and secure manner.
† Trade-mark of Interac Inc. Used under license.
For our business members concerned about a potential drop in revenue with people opting to self-isolate, we encourage you to contact our Business and Agriculture Financial Centre to discuss your options. Together, and with good discussion, we can develop a plan to help you manage potential impacts and continue to be a successful business.
During this time, it is important to be vigilant against those seeking to commit fraud. We will never send you unsolicited emails asking for confidential information, such as your password, PIN, access code, credit card, or account numbers. Please do not respond to unsolicited e-mails, text messages, websites, or pop-up windows that request this type of information. We also remind you not to open attachments or click hyperlinks in emails or text messages that are sent by someone you do not recognize.
Our Synergy Credit Union Collabria Credit Card travel insurance provider (Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company – DFS) is advising cardholders to take note of the Canada Travel, Global Travel Advisory, to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
If applicable, Cardholders can submit their travel insurance claim online. To do so, please visit the DFS website and click on “Claim” to find the right Claim form. Please note: there is an English language toggle button on the top right corner of the page as well. From there, follow the applicable steps to enter your claim details and send your information directly to the insurer.
Cardholders are also encouraged to visit the DFS website where frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to the evolving COVID-19 situation and card insurance coverages are continuously updated. If you have further questions on your coverage, please contact DFS at 1-800-463-1623.
We hear you. There is a lot of information out there, but it's important to be able to determine what matters to you. It's also important to note that markets tend to fluctuate constantly, so it's imperative to maintain a long-term view even during what is a stressful time.
We encourage you to call our Member Contact Centre (1-866-825-3301 or 1-306-825-3301) and they will be happy to direct you to the financial expert you have been working with. They can walk you through any potential impacts this pandemic could have — or not have — on your investment portfolio.
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