Credit unions and caisses populaires are financial cooperatives that can provide chequing and savings accounts, term deposits and other financial services. In order to access financial services at these institutions you may be required to join the cooperative as a member.
In Canada, credit unions and caisses populaires are usually governed by the laws of the provinces where they operate.
However, in 2012, the Government of Canada put in place a framework that allowed provincial credit unions and caisses populaires to continue as federal credit unions (FCUs). This enables such cooperative institutions to carry on business across Canada and grow nationally.
Once continued federally, FCUs become members of CDIC. As such, eligible deposits placed with an FCU enjoy CDIC deposit protection.
To support FCUs during the change from provincial coverage of pre-existing deposits to CDIC protection, transitional coverage applies.
How does transitional coverage work?
Provincially insured deposits that existed prior to the change, and which are otherwise eligible for CDIC coverage, are considered “pre-existing deposits”. During the transition period, these pre-existing deposits continue to be covered up to the amount that would have been insured under provincial law.
- For pre-existing demand deposits, such as chequing or savings accounts, the transitional coverage ends after 180 days, and CDIC coverage rules will then apply.
- For pre-existing term deposits, such as GICs, transitional coverage will continue to apply until the deposits mature or are cashed out.
- Eligible deposits made after the FCU begins operating under the federal framework, including term deposits purchased after that date, will be subject to CDIC coverage rules and protected to a limit of $100,000 per insured category.
In certain cases, some financial products that are covered by a province may not be protected by CDIC. Under the federal framework, FCUs are required to inform members of any changes to their deposit insurance coverage prior to the change and throughout the transition period. A written notice regarding the changes must be publicly posted at FCU branches, and made available on their website.
What happens when transitional coverage ends?
Once the transition period for pre-existing deposits has passed, regular CDIC coverage rules will apply.
Federal Credit Unions at Glance
| Name of FCU | Date CDIC coverage begins for eligible new deposits | End of transitional coverage for pre-existing eligible demand deposits, such as chequing or savings account | End of transitional coverage for pre-existing term deposits, such as GICs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation Federal Credit Union | June 23, 2023 | December 19, 2023 | At maturity, or when withdrawn |
