Apple Community Credit Union Limited, Thunder Bay, ON

To lead and enable the growth and evolution of the credit union system. Central 1 Credit Union was formed through a merger of Credit Union Central of British Columbia and Credit Union Central of Ontario. Each had a long history dating back to the 1940s, serving as the central financial facility, payments clearinghouse and trade association for the credit unions in its respective province. The merger brought these functions together in a single organization. In partnership with its members, Central 1 develops and delivers innovative products and services to ensure credit union strength, stability and growth. Central 1's primary financial role is to maintain a large pool of funds, or liquidity pool, for its member credit unions. This liquidity arrangement means that a credit union member's deposits are backed by a larger organization and by the combined strength of a network of more than 600 affiliated credit unions in Canada. Each credit union has access to the liquidity pool to ensure the credit union has the cash flow to meet member needs. Membership in Central 1 Credit Union has many advantages, including access to the innovative products, services and technologies that financial institutions require to retain and expand market share in a highly competitive marketplace. Member credit unions also benefit from Central's affiliation with national and international organizations, including the Canadian Payments Association and the INTERAC network. The organization has more than $8 billion in assets, with 475 employees based at offices in Vancouver and Mississauga serving nearly 200 credit unions with some 2.7 million members. Central 1 is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors drawn from credit unions in the two provinces. Headquarters are in Vancouver.