On May 1, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce hosted its 142nd Annual Business Achievement Awards Gala—a night filled with community pride, inspiring stories, and well-deserved recognition. President Lois Ruston opened the evening with a powerful message: “We do it scared, but then something happens… the skies begin to clear.” That spirit of perseverance set the tone for a night that celebrated the people and businesses helping Brandon thrive. Award Highlights: Community Impact (Individual): Tracy Baker Community Impact (Business): Chez Angela Bakery and Café Lifetime Business Builder: Ron Ball Outstanding New Business: Leatherwood Custom Workwear Top 4 Under 40: Shonah Rathwell, Whitney Sharkey, Julia Teichroeb, Lyndsay Seafoot Business Excellence (Small): Create Marketing Business Excellence (Large): T-Birds Food Fun Games Business Person of the Year: Travis Chastko, Christie’s Office Plus & Learning Company (Brandon Chamber News)

Pictured L to R: Jordan Brown (Loans Officer, Sunrise Credit Union), Cassie Peak, Troy Johnson, and Brad Ross (VP, Member Services, Sunrise Credit Union) The excitement was palpable on Thursday, April 24, 2025, as Sunrise Credit Union officially wrapped up its “Thirty Grand in Your Hand” Contest with a celebratory cheque presentation at its Minnedosa branch. Local members Troy Johnson and Cassie Peak were awarded the grand prize — a cheque for $30,000. Long-time members of Sunrise Credit Union, Johnson and Peak expressed their surprise and gratitude upon receiving the $30,000 prize. With the purchase of their new home, the couple has various projects they want to complete and shared that the prize money would go to good use. Jordan Brown, a Loans Officer at Sunrise Credit Union, played a key role in helping Johnson and Peak secure their mortgage. Reflecting on their recent contest win, Brown shared how meaningful the experience was: “It reinforces why we do what we do—to help our members achieve their financial goals.” The “Thirty Grand in Your Hand” Contest ran from March 2 to April 12, offering an exciting incentive for new residential mortgage customers. Every qualifying mortgage approved during the six-week period earned an entry for a chance to win $30,000.

Sunrise Credit Union held its annual general meeting virtually on April 22, 2025, attended by 139 members and staff combined with 9 guess. The meeting included releasing the Sunrise Credit Union 2024 Annual Report, which included the audited financial statements. The statements reflect a Net Income of $8.2 million, Loan Growth of 16.5%, Deposit Growth of 3.5%, and Total Equity of 7.11%. Sunrise President and CEO Tim Klassen noted that 2024 was marked by resilience, innovation and continued commitment to serve their members with excellence. “I am proud of the level of dedication our Sunrise staff show every day to not only Sunrise but our members and our communities.” said Klassen. Klassen reviewed some of the highlights for 2024, including supporting many community projects both financially and through staff volunteerism. Sunrise Credit Union invested over $600,000 in community initiatives through their Building Communities Grant Program, donations, sponsorships and scholarships. Other highlights of 2024 included enhancing their member experience through the implementation of new Customer Relationship Management software, updates to their digital banking platform and introducing Marketing Cloud software to better communicate with their members. Fred Greig, Chair of the Sunrise Credit Union Board of Directors, notes that Sunrise Credit Union had another strong year and commends both its members and staff. “Sunrise Credit Unions success is only possible because of our members placing their trust in us and our dedicated staff providing the best member experience” said Greig. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Agnes Kokke, welcomed David Nicholson to the board and wished a heartfelt retirement to long-time board member, Glen Young.

As a member-owned financial institution, Fusion believes that success should be shared.  At the Annual General Meeting held last evening via webcast conference, Fusion announced a $1.26 million return to members in the form of patronage allocations and cash pay-outs to select members.  The $1.26 million in total returns for 2025, based on 2024 results, includes a patronage allocation of $800,000, plus an estimated $468,000 in cash payouts to select members. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do,” states Darwin Johns, Chief Executive Officer at Fusion Credit Union.  “This return is more than just numbers – it’s a reflection of our commitment to helping our members and our communities thrive.” A patronage allocation is a value returned to a member of Fusion Credit Union based on their relationship with the credit union.  The patronage amount is a portion of interest paid and earned during the past year and varies from member to member.  All patronage allocations are retained in a Surplus Share account and select member groups receive cash payouts. The credit union is returning value directly to those who make our communities strong.  “From family farms to small businesses to individual households, every dollar reinvested back to our members helps to strengthen our communities,” says Johns.  “The return is our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your financial journey.” This year an estimated $468,000 will be paid out in cash to members 65 years of age and older and those under age 19, as well as members who hold over $15,000 in surplus shares.  A new addition this year is a cash distribution of over $82,000 to non-profit or charitable organizations.  All eligible members will receive their pay-outs in May, while patronage allocations will appear on member statements in April 2025.  Over the past seven years, Fusion Credit Union has rewarded members with over $10.9 million in patronage allocations and cash pay-outs. “Our success is built on strong relationships, and this $1.26 million return is just one of the many ways we can show our appreciation to our members,” says Johns.  “We care about our communities and the people who live in them.  When we succeed, we all succeed together.”

Sunrise Credit Union has reached $2 billion in assets. President and CEO Tim Klassen says this milestone speaks volumes about our strength, vision, and, most importantly, our people. “This achievement is not just about numbers; it’s about the trust our members place in us every day. The hardworking employees who bring our mission to life, the leadership that steers us forward, and the communities we serve who inspire us to do better and be better.” The $2 billion asset milestone represents years of strategic growth, innovative services and a member-first approach. With over 225 employees and 34,500 members, Sunrise Credit Union continues to be a trusted resource for individuals seeking to secure their financial futures.     “When we started this journey, we envisioned a credit union that would be more than just a place to save and borrow,” said Klassen. “We wanted to build something that uplifts people, fuels local economies, and fosters financial well-being for generations.” “We will continue to invest in technology, strengthen our risk management, and uphold the values that make Sunrise Credit Union a trusted name in our part of the province. Because of you, we’re at 2!” adds Klassen. As Sunrise Credit Union celebrates this remarkable achievement, the credit union is more committed than ever to shaping the future of financial services and continuing to build a brighter future together.