Our 58th AGM: A message from our CEO

Kindred’s purpose has never been clearer to me – Cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities. Over the past year, I have seen how Kindred has been able to live out our purpose, perhaps when it mattered most to our staff and members.

Kindred’s success demonstrates the trust our members have placed in us and just how much we’ve risen to meet the needs of our members and address the challenges of a shifting financial services landscape. While we recognize that not everyone is in the same place personally or financially, we have implemented meaningful and tangible change to meet the needs of our members, staff members, and our communities while offering ongoing support to ensure that we thrive together – wherever each of us are at.

This past financial year marked the fifth full year of operations since we renamed and rebranded our credit union, and the results over that time period reflect the financial objectives we committed to in 2016.

It took careful planning to see the growth that Kindred attained during the past year, and our success comes from the talent and commitment of our staff, trusted partners and of course, the trust our members place in us; for these things we are grateful.

In reflection, thriving together is how I would describe 2021 and what we look to do in the future. Over the course of the last several years, Kindred has been in a position of growth and development and, therefore, in an even stronger position to help others thrive. It took careful planning to see the growth that Kindred attained during the past year, and our success comes from the talent and commitment of our staff, trusted partners and of course, the trust our members place in us; for these things we are grateful.

Kindred continues to help members when they need us, whether that is a helping set up a new budget, purchase a new home, expanding their farm, plan for a life transition or planning for the next generation of farmers.

We provided nearly $500,000 in charitable giving and approved $85,000 through the Kindred Charitable Fund for grants in 2022.

Our members’ trust is something that we do not take lightly and we’re committed to earn, and improve upon, every day. When our members are successful, Kindred is successful. When Kindred thrives, we’re in a better place to help others thrive by giving back to our members and partner organizations that are helping those in our communities. In 2021, Kindred shared $1,450,000 with our personal and business members through our Profit Shares program. In addition, we provided nearly $500,000 in charitable giving and approved $85,000 through the Kindred Charitable Fund for grants in 2022.  

This past year, we focused on building stronger foundations, deepening relationships with our members, and building on our strengths. We continue to invest in farmers, faith-inspired and not-for-profit organizations, and Ontarians who want to connect their values and faith with their finances. By keeping our values, faith, and finances interconnected, we’re focusing on investing in innovative solutions that are impactful to our members.

With all that has happened this past year, staying true to our purpose ensures that Kindred is building a strong foundation of partnership and opportunity. Thank you to our members for your continued support and trust, as well as our community partners and their important work that helps us live out our purpose. A “thank you!” to our staff members at all levels, for their hard work and dedication, and for rising to every occasion and challenge that 2021 gave us.

By working together, we thrive together, and will continue to do so in 2022 and beyond.

With appreciation,
Ian Thomas, CEO

NOTE: This content originally appeared in our 2021 Annual Report as “A message from our CEO” and has been edited for brevity.