G&F’s colourful sign is a now familiar part of the Denman streetscape.

G&F FINANCIAL GROUP
A Historic Credit Union

G&F Financial on Denman is a relative newcomer to the West End, but the institution has deep roots in British Columbia.

Officially known as Gulf and Fraser Fishermen's Credit Union, G&F’s history extends back to 1940, a year after the first credit union in BC was established in Powell River when a group of BC fishermen incorporated the North Arm Fisherman's Credit Union. In the ensuing years, the credit union has gone through a number of mergers and name changes—the most significant occurring in 2004 when United Savings Credit Union merged with Gulf and Fraser Fishermen's Credit Union.

One of those mergers was with the Pioneer Credit Union which was the third credit union to be chartered in British Columbia and was granted charter number 003, which G&G retained for the merged entity.

The West End G&F Financial Group staff (from left): Elizabeth Staudacher, Maheen Jamaal, Emilio Cantagallo, Priya Khattar, and branch manager Blair Bigwood. (click on photo to enlarge) — The West End G&F Financial Group staff (from left): Elizabeth Staudacher, Maheen Jamaal, Emilio Cantagallo, Priya Khattar, and branch manager Blair Bigwood.
*(click on photo to enlarge)*

Among the numerous entities to be merged with G&F over the years were North Arm Fisherman's Credit Union, Lower Fraser Fishermen's Credit Union, Common Good Co-Operative Association, Pioneer Credit Union, Mount Pleasant Credit Union, Finning Employees Credit Union, the Sheet Metal Workers Credit Union, and Elco Credit Union, which served BC Hydro Employees.

G&F now has 16 branches located throughout Metro Vancouver, including the one at 1003 Denman, operated by manager Blair Bigwood and his staff of four.

As a member-owned credit union, G&F has a long history of supporting the communities that its branches serve. In addition to offering the full range of banking and financial services, G&F makes many financial donations to community non-profits. In 2018, G&F invested $532,000 back into its communities in the form of donations, sponsorships, educational bursaries, scholarships and through the G&F Financial Group Foundation.

They also encourage staff involvement within the communities where they operate. In the year prior to the current pandemic, the Denman staff at G&F offered a series of free financial workshops at the West End Community Centre, including “Understanding Loans”, “Understanding Investments and Government Sponsored Plans” and “Starting a Business — Exploring Self-Employment”. G&F also offers interactive workshops on estate planning, financial literacy for new Canadians, and budgeting for youth.

Bigwood plans to resume those workshops, or introduce others, as soon as it is safe to do so. “We will be looking for as many ways as possible to get involved in our community here,” he told The West End Journal. “It’s an important part of our mandate.

“As a community-based and member-owned credit union, we are committed to doing business in a way that contributes to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the communities we serve.”