Vivianne Gauci

Having spent many years at companies with strict in-office policies, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the value of working for a company that truly embraces remote and hybrid work. At Meridian Credit Union, we’re empowered to manage our own schedules while still being accountable and responsible for delivering results. I don’t mind working 60-hour weeks when necessary—and I often do. Sometimes that’s just what it takes. But the real benefit of our flexible approach is the ability to integrate both personal and professional priorities. I can drop my kids off at school in the morning, hit the gym for a midday workout, and still be fully available for my team. When my son or daughter has a hockey tournament or a school field trip, I’m there for those important moments, without missing a beat at work. This kind of flexibility isn’t just a perk—it’s a game changer. It allows me to show up fully in all areas of my life while still creating positive value for my team. Remote work isn’t about slacking off; it’s about trusting your team, respecting their time, and giving them the freedom to work in ways that bring out their best. A team that feels supported and has the flexibility to balance their lives is one that will always go the extra mile. I’ve seen it firsthand, and it’s a culture I’m proud to be part of. #FridayReflections

396

17 Comments

#CreditUnions Small/medium-sized #financial institutions are facing increased pressure from regulatory bodies, especially in areas like #AML, #STR, and #KYC. 🏦 The challenge? Implementing the necessary technology to meet these requirements is often either cost-prohibitive or requires building solutions in-house, which can be inefficient and a strain on capital. The result? Credit Unions are stuck between high costs and resource-heavy alternatives🕳️, increases the risk of non-compliance ⚠️, and drains valuable resources💸. This is where leveraging smart, scalable solutions can help #CreditUnions navigate compliance without sacrificing growth. The right technology not only keeps up with #regulatory demands but also drives #efficiency, empowering financial institutions to focus on what matters most: serving their members.. 🚀 TRIYO's purpose-built platform is designed to meet the specific needs of #CreditUnions, embedding directly into existing workflows to automate compliance processes 🤖, streamline data management 📊, and provide real-time insights 📈. TRIYO ensures that credit unions stay ahead of changing regulations while freeing up resources to focus on enhancing #memberexperience. 🙌 💡 Ready to take the next step? Contact us to learn how TRIYO can empower your credit union to stay ahead in a complex regulatory environment. #CreditUnions #ComplianceChallenges #RegulatoryCompliance #OperationalEfficiency #FinTechSolutions

15

I'm four months into the Corporate Social Responsibility Program @uStMikesCSR in the University of Toronto and am so energized by my fantastic colleagues and the gift of new ideas. As we head into our first in-person session, I've been exploring the connections between systems thinking, communications and social impact. Here are two great books if you're also interested in this topic. 📕 Happy reading! [Books listed: The 360-Degree Corporation by Sarah Kaplan and Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows]

52

7 Comments

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of banking, it's clear that digital solutions are becoming the preferred choice for Canadians. According to recent data, 78% of Canadians do most of their banking digitally, with 49% using online banking and 29% using mobile banking. While only 10% of Canadians still prefer in-person branch visits, it's evident that our banking habits are changing significantly. The average amount of cash carried daily has also decreased, from $91 in 2018 to $80 today.   This shift towards digital banking not only highlights the growing trust and reliance on technology but also underscores the need for continuous innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers. As we move forward, the Canadian Bankers Association team remains committed to supporting this digital transformation and ensuring a secure, efficient, and accessible banking experience for all Canadians.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTdqZ4zJ

32

Katherine Dudtschak, (she / her) ICD.D, a trailblazer in inclusion and CEO of HomeEquity Bank, joined BLG's Peter Sullivan (he/him/his), chair of BLG's PRIDE Action Committee, for our national Pride webinar. Hundreds of firm members, clients, and alumni gathered to hear Katherine share her personal gender affirmation story and learned how we can support one another to foster a more inclusive society. Here are some key takeaways from this important discussion: - Showing vulnerability and revealing different sides of yourself can create an environment where others feel safe and comfortable being their true selves in your presence. - People should have the opportunity to tell their own stories in their own way. - Approaching challenges with kindness leads to more holistic, human solutions.

47

Looking for tips on how to build your financial confidence as a newcomer to Canada? See what we learned at the first-ever Financial Confidence Summit, hosted by Interac, where 200 newcomers learned resources to help stay in control of their money, protect themselves from fraudsters and build their financial confidence. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4d2qM4v

24

🎙️ New Episode Alert Do you have some extra cash and are wondering whether to pay down debt or invest it? In our latest episode, Doug and Ted discuss: ✅Paying off high-interest credit cards vs. investing in an RRSP ✅Managing mortgage payments ✅Handling risks and smart repayment strategies ✅Consumer proposals Tune in to discover the best strategies for making your money work for you! 🎧💡 ➡️https://lnkd.in/gTJjixRk #DebtFreeIn30 #Finance #Investing #DebtManagement #MoneyMatters

5

Last month, Bill C-69 received royal assent which enshrined Canada’s open banking commitments into law for the first time. This is great news for Canadians. This development marks the first, long-awaited step toward establishing a competitive, innovative and more vibrant banking environment in Canada. At EQ Bank, it was certainly cause for cheer after years of our relentless advocacy to make open banking a reality for Canadians.  This is an excellent step forward, but after our seven-year long wait to get here, I am as cautious as I am optimistic. This is a moment to celebrate, but many questions remain. I believe we must continue to push to ensure that Canadians get an open banking framework that ignites the spark of growth, competition and innovation in a critically important sector of the Canadian economy. I touched on these points in a recent address at the Open Banking Expo 2024 in Toronto, where I offered a read-between-the-lines analysis of what to expect for Canada in the years ahead while also cautioning against hidden pitfalls. Read more and learn about EQ Bank’s long-held belief in the critical importance of open banking here: https://lnkd.in/gJYUVWGe #OpenBanking #MakeBank #ChallengerBank 

236

7 Comments

Banks have a responsibility to bring positive change to Canadian society. That’s what I’m so pleased that Concentra Trust, part of the Equitable family, has launched a national Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) awareness campaign to educate Canadians about an underused tool that can be enormously empowering for those with disabilities. The need for this campaign is clear as RDSPs are far less understood than its TFSA or RRSP cousins. Nearly 40% of Canadians living with a potentially eligible medical condition don’t believe they make enough money to contribute. The reality is that beneficiaries actually don’t need to contribute a cent in order to get benefits from this program....that's right it is very different than simply the tax sheltering provided with TFSAs and RRSPs and it is unambiguous that everyone that qualifies will benefit by opening an RDSP. Add compound interest into the mix and you have a truly transformative construct. Many thanks to Lillian Bayne and Michael Hayes, who were instrumental in helping me and so many other Canadians understand how an RDSP represents opportunity, empowerment and stability for those who often need it most.    I’m especially proud of the role credit unions are playing in this effort, and we’re pleased to bridge Canada’s RDSP knowledge gap with them. Our values strongly align with the credit union ecosystem’s community focus and cooperative spirit, and the deeply rooted trust they have with their members will play a crucial role in spreading the word.   I encourage you to explore the resources we’ll share in the coming months and connect with your local credit union if you or someone you know could benefit from an RDSP. Our team has put together a helpful, high-level brochure to get started:  https://lnkd.in/gbFCzccw.   #ChallengerBank #CreditUnions #RDSP   

157

6 Comments

🌟 Honored Beyond Words! 🌟 AWARD WINNER: I’m thrilled to share that I've been selected as Leader of the Year in Portfolio Management – Toronto 2024 by C-Suite Insider! Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with remarkable global leaders from both public and private companies across various industries, designed not just for profit but for progress. To be successful, it’s all about the learnings: The ideas that initially sound “crazy” are often the ones with the greatest potential. When grounded in traction and thoughtful risk management, these ideas yield some of the most remarkable outcomes for investors while protecting and revealing potential pitfalls/disruptions that could derail even the best-laid financial plans. C-Suite Insider's, a UK publication's mission, is to highlight leaders who bridge innovation with strategy resonates with me profoundly. It reminds me of why I entered this field: to build a better world for investors and champion investments that catalyze positive change. Thank you to C-Suite Insider for this recognition, to my clients who trust me, and to the teams who bring these visions to life. This is our achievement as much as it is mine. Here’s to investing boldly, managing wisely, and building a brighter future! 💡🚀 https://lnkd.in/gGx3qcVC #Leadership #PortfolioManagement #Finance #Innovation #CSuiteInsider #InvestingForGood #Toronto2024 #ImpactInvesting Treegrove Investment Management Inc.

115

26 Comments

We are looking for am amazing Manager to join this team!! 🎉 You have heard about how amazing Abena Osei-Kwabena and her leadership team in Toronto is - and now you have an opportunity to be part of our team! If this is the first time you're seeing me post about my team, have a look at my posts and you'll get a great feel for who we are and what our team culture is. The Management team is such a critical part of our team. Managers are responsible for the majority of the engagement, success and social climate on a team. Leading front line teams is no joke. Working as part of the contact centre leadership team has been the most challenging role of my career. Before coming to the contact centre I help different leadership positions in Distribution and Marketing, and let me tell you - nothing tests your leadership skills, your business skills, your EI, more. It is so intensely rewarding because you get to work with so many different people and participate in their growth, development and success, and it is so intensely rewarding!!! 💜 We are looking for someone with experience leading high performing teams, who can bring a unique perspective to the team, help us think differently, grow our comfort zones and experience range. My ideal candidate has contact centre leadership experience and is looking to join our team because you're looking for the leadership and development we offer, and the opportunity to share and teach new ways of working or thinking about what we do. On our team, who you are as a human matters, each one of us matter and if you are going to join our team, you have to love people, you have to love leadership, learning and change. I'm not going to lie, this role will challenge you. You join our team to learn, to grow, to be challenged and to develop as a leader and a human. We focus on whole person leadership and growth. I personally am involved with our Management team on a daily basis. I host monthly leadership sessions where we talk all things leadership so that you can get access to mentorship and development from me personally. I also offer coaching to all Managers who are looking for 1:1 coaching with me at work. Here is the link to apply: https://lnkd.in/gjMEkjTX Sinead Nair Cassidy Powell Yoni Revizada Abena Osei-Kwabena #torontojobs #hiring #managerroles #contactcentrecareers #growth #leadershipdevelopment #corporatecoaching

52

Digital innovation is reshaping finance, making financial services more accessible and inclusive for Canadians. Dive into this transformative space with us at the Canadian Lenders Association Bankers Summit on May 15 in Toronto. Panel Discussion Highlights: 💡Launching New Products: Explore practical and inspiring examples of recent digital financial product launches that showcase inclusive innovation and Agile product development. 💡Navigating Challenges: How to overcome bottlenecks and implementation risks including frameworks, talent, governance, and compliance. 💡Strategic Approaches: Compare building internal capabilities with forming ecosystem partnerships, focusing on the benefits of in-house development versus leveraging partners, and the importance of test modes for gaining traction. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights that could define the winners and losers of tomorrow’s financial landscape. Mahima Poddar Jean Amiouny Baanu Ratneswaran Hamid Akbari #DigitalFinance #FinancialInnovation #FinTech #FinancialServices

25

With Budget 2024 formalizing Open Banking in Canada, change is coming for many businesses and financial institutions. It’s important not to fall behind. In our latest blog, we break down some of the key elements of Canada’s Open Banking Framework included in Budget 2024 to help businesses and financial institutions better understand what this new financial landscape will look like and how they can best prepare for it. Take a look 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNJC4-TK  #OpenBankingCanada #Budget2024 #fuelledbyflinks

32

It was so inspiring to meet and listen to Riaz Ahmed, President and CEO of TD Securities on Friday at the Ismaili Center Toronto. Riaz provided a summary of the market outlook focusing on 3 main areas: 1) US Economy: - he expects the Federal Bank to decrease interest rates at least once this year (probably in December) - the US GDP growth and inflation is undervalued due to the high number of illegal immigrants contributing to lower wages and driving up cost of goods (CPI) - he expects the US economy to have a soft landing (mild recession) 2) Canadian Economy: - he expects there to be 2 more interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada this year (25 basis points each) to bring the interest rates to 4% - inflation has increased significantly more than wages over the last few years, lowering prospective GDP growth forecasts - Canada has a higher unemployment rate than the US and slowing economy (also a soft landing expected) which is why he expects further rate cuts by the Bank of Canada this year 3) Canadian Housing market: - despite the Canadian government pledge to increase housing, the supply available is less than half of the demand (due to over 1 million immigrants to Canada in 2023) - he doesn't think the housing supply will ever meet the demand, therefore housing prices are expected to increase again with falling interest rates (especially in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver) - housing affordability will continue to be an issue: in the 1980s housing prices were 5-10 times annual gross income, now housing prices are 15-20 times annual gross income - he recommends Canadians find creative ways to buy real estate through partnering and buying together, cohabitation or sub leasing (renting) part of your house MONDAY MARKET UPDATE Well, it was bound to happen eventually. The S&P 500 tumbled 2% last week, the first drop of such magnitude since February 2023. How freaked out should investors be? On one hand, no one likes it when markets take a hit. On the other hand, 2% drops are normal. Markets average about six of them a year, and in the last 25 years, only three 2% falls turned out to be the start of a lasting downturn. Last week’s tumble merely brought U.S. stocks (the TSX finished flat) back to where they were a month ago, which is at historic highs. What’s abnormal is how long stocks ran without a fall — last week ended the longest period without a 2% hiccup since the mid-2000s. And if the past is a guide, we should probably brace ourselves for a few more down weeks this year. As to whether to freak out, only the future knows for sure, but history suggests that panicking is almost never the right move. If you'd like to discuss this any further or learn more, please contact me or a member of my team at Transform Financial. Source: TLDR eNewsletter, Monday July 29, 2024 #canadianeconomy #housingmarket #inflation #interestrates #USmarket

178

5 Comments

🌟 Exploring the Power of Referral Programs in Canadian Credit Unions 🌟 Did you know that despite the proven success of referral programs, many of Canada's top credit unions are yet to adopt this powerful tool? Our latest analysis dives into how some innovative institutions are leveraging member-centric strategies to enhance growth and deepen member relationships 👇 https://lnkd.in/d8Y6i_u3 👥 Highlights Include: - Envision Financial offers a referral program where both the referrer and the referee receive C$100 deposited into their accounts. - Meridian’s Trust Perks program allows members to earn rewards redeemable for gift cards or merchandise by using a referral code to refer new members - Affinity Federal Credit Union’s “Refer a Friend” program enables members to earn up to C$1,000 by referring new members. Dive into some of the most effective referral programs and discover what makes them work. 🔗 📈 Regulated industries are our bread and butter, we specialise in crafting the perfect referral programs for credit unions to increase growth and retention. Interested in exploring how to activate your advocates with referral marketing? Let's connect! #ReferralMarketing #CreditUnions #DigitalMarketing #FinancialServices #Buyapowa #MemberGrowth

8

1 Comment

What will we be talking about at The 2025 SUMMIT? We asked our 2024 speakers to make their predictions. "As Canada steps towards consumer-driven banking, by 2025 I hope we’re focused on an implementation roadmap with multi-tiered accreditation to drive completion and a clear timeline for write access, ensuring that key use cases such as pay-by-bank are available. This will allow Canadian consumers and SMEs to fully benefit from open banking." — Michelle Beyo, CEO & Founder, FINAVATOR INC Have your voice heard by +1800 payment experts at Canada's largest payment event. Apply before October 31 to be considered: https://lnkd.in/eNDPAtME #PaymentsMatter

49