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Credit unions are unique institutions. Operating in Canada for over 100 years, credit unions are financial cooperatives that are governed and financed differently from banks. At credit unions, member-owners are shareholders. Being a member means sharing in the credit union’s success.
Our primary motivation is to enrich the lives of our member-owners and community by providing quality products and services to our member-owners. We are committed to providing everyday banking to individuals, families, and businesses in Ontario with an expertise in underbanked markets while ensuring that our member-owners are completely satisfied with the level of services they receive.
The Code recognizes the best-practice principles we pledge to follow for soliciting, promoting, advertising, marketing, selling, or distributing our products or services. The Code demonstrates our commitment to the fair treatment of all those who use our services. We believe in fair sales practices, comprehensive access to banking services, transparency and openness, and a reasonable approach to settling complaints. Individuals are entitled to the best possible care of their financial interests. We respect all our provincial regulatory obligations and continually practice absolute excellence in consumer protection. Our best practices can be summarized in five key principles:
Business Practices: We are committed to providing fair treatment to all our member-owners and customers using our products and services. It is a core component of our governance and corporate culture.
Fair Treatment and Fair Sales Practices: Treating member-owners and customers fairly and demonstrating fair sales practices at all times are integral parts of our business practices.
Access to Banking Services: We ensure that all credit union member-owners and customers are granted access to fundamental financial services.
Transparency and Disclosure: Luminus Financial uses plain-language descriptions of products and services in its communications to ensure people make informed decisions.
Complaint Handling: We examine complaints and work to settle them fairly, and we track complaints to help ensure our practices continue to improve.
Luminus Financial aspires to make fair treatment a core principle of all our business practices. It is a hallmark of our corporate culture and demonstrated in the dedication of our leadership, governance, and employees.
Our culture is based on making strategic decisions in the best interests of our member-owners. All our employees are expected to support this culture by treating everyone who comes into Luminus Financial—and one another—fairly and with respect. Fairness is a fundamental right of every individual we serve.
Ensuring this culture is implemented and maintained is the responsibility of our Board of Directors, which is elected by our member-owners. Luminus Financial sets fair treatment policies and procedures, and it is the responsibility of senior management to report to the board on matters of adherence to the principles with the Code.
Fair treatment also applies to how we manage personal information. Everyone has a right to expect their financial affairs will be handled with discretion. We collect, use, and disclose all personal information strictly in accordance with provincial and federal legislation. Our commitment to the fair treatment of all individuals is a key responsibility.
Financial well-being and literacy
We place a high value on every individual’s financial well-being and financial literacy. We are committed to developing and implementing policies and procedures that offer awareness and education on how to improve one’s financial well-being through appropriate fiscal planning.
Whistleblowing
An opportunity to anonymously report suspected unethical conduct is a critical tool for any responsible business. Our whistleblowing procedures allow employees to report incidents of actual or potentially improper or unethical conduct without fear of reprisal or unwarranted negative consequences.
These procedures also respect the rights of those about whom concerns are raised.
Our board periodically reviews, approves, and maintains whistleblowing policies. At Luminus Financial, our managers are responsible for monitoring and controlling operations in accordance with the whistleblowing policy.
Lobbying
Like any other business or association, we enjoy the freedom—and the responsibility—to interact with governments and comment on policy, legislation, or regulations. We ensure that each lobbyist we hire, either on staff or as a consultant, acts on behalf of Luminus Financial, discloses any conflicts of interest, registers with the appropriate registries, and follows all applicable laws and regulations.
Fair treatment
Luminus Financial treats all individuals who use our services fairly, and we demonstrate fair sales practices in all our business relationships. We will not discriminate against any of our member-owners or customers, or anyone considering using our services. We abide diligently by provincial human rights codes. We make exceptions only when justified by law, or if a special product or service is designed to serve a particular group.
We never take advantage of anyone by misrepresenting facts, concealing information, or engaging in manipulation, unfair dealings, or unethical activities. We do not take advantage of people, and we take extra care to be clear and comprehensive with those who are unable to protect their own interests or who are only just familiarizing themselves with how we operate.
Nor do we use misleading, threatening, intimidating, or abusive language, or apply excessive or unreasonable pressure to repay, against any borrower. We take all reasonable steps to identify, avoid, or manage conflicts of interest.
Fair sales
Everyone who uses Luminus Financial has access to accurate information to help them choose the most affordable and appropriate product or service. Our advertising, marketing materials, and communications are straightforward, accurate, and easy to understand. We provide information that helps ensure that individuals considering our products and services can make informed and suitable choices. We exercise reasonable and prudent judgment in all our business dealings.
Luminus Financial is committed to the professional development of our employees, who are trained to provide financial information that individuals can trust. Their knowledge is gained, and improved upon, by appropriate training programs or work experience. Employees will keep abreast of changes in products and services, industry standards, and regulations relevant to their role.
Tied selling and undue pressure
Luminus Financial does not engage in undue pressure or coercion to convince people to select any particular product or service. We do not impose any form of pressure to induce someone to buy a particular product or service they don’t want as a condition of obtaining those they do want.
Negative-option billing and consent
Luminus Financial does not practice negative-option billing, which means automatically billing people for a product or service they have not asked to purchase. We will always obtain people’s consent for new and optional products and services and will seek out their consent for changes made to agreements that affect their rights and obligations.
Preferential pricing
In certain instances, we will offer a better price or rate on all or part of a product or service. This practice is permissible. For example, we may offer a preferential price if a member-owner, account holder, or consumer has or is considering buying several other credit union products or services. We are completely transparent about these opportunities.
Risk management
To manage risk or costs, or to comply with any laws that apply to our operations, we may make reasonable requests of our member-owners, account holders, or consumers as a condition of acquiring a product or service.
Digital products and services
Many legislative and regulatory requirements apply to digital financial products and services. Luminus Financial regularly seeks regulatory guidance and follows best practices when providing internet-based products and services in a digital environment.
Luminus Financial is determined to ensure people have access to fundamental banking services. This is an essential part of our mission. We open deposit accounts for anyone whose identity can be verified, and if we refuse to do so, it is only for sound business reasons. Luminus Financial may also refuse to open an account if it has a closed bond of association and the applicant does not meet the conditions of that association.
We may refuse to open a deposit account if an applicant has previous write-offs or losses or a poor credit bureau score. We assess whether we can minimize the risk by instead imposing restrictions on the account. Our decision is influenced by several factors. We consider the amount of past losses or write-offs, the length of time since the loss, and any extenuating circumstances.
When we refuse to open an account, we inform the applicant of our decision. We never refuse to open a deposit account for unjust discriminatory reasons, or if the applicant is unemployed or has been bankrupt. We do not refuse to open an account when the applicant is not making an immediate deposit. If we close a deposit account, we do so only in strict accordance with the agreement that governs our relationship with that member-owner or account holder.
Restrictions on deposit accounts
Luminus Financial may impose reasonable restrictions on certain deposit accounts. Restrictions include placing temporary holds on cheques to allow time for them to clear or limiting the amount of cash provided on a deposited cheque. If warranted, we may impose limits on overdraft restrictions, on debit card privileges, or on ATM and online access. We are transparent regarding any changes or restrictions imposed upon member-owners’ accounts.
Low-fee and no-fee deposit accounts
Luminus Financial believes low-fee and no-fee accounts should be available to ensure fundamental banking services are available to those who cannot otherwise afford to open and operate an account due to the cost.
Government of Canada cheques
The Government of Canada provides indemnification for federal government cheques up to $1500, and all financial institutions have access to a verification service. On this basis, Luminus Financial supports cashing Government of Canada cheques up to $1500 at no cost for their member-owners and account holders on the presentation of acceptable identification. However, Luminus Financial may refuse to cash cheques for more than $1,500, or for sound business reasons, such as a suspicion that the cheque has been altered in some way or is connected with a crime or fraud.
Luminus Financial will provide suitable product and service information that is easy to understand and considers the financial needs of the member-owner, account holder, or consumer. Up-to-date information is made available to individuals before and after a product or service is acquired. Our documents are clear and contain all the financial implications of a transaction.
When someone opens an account, we ensure they are making an informed decision by letting them know the key features of an account and any associated risks, exclusions, or limitations. We make sure they are aware of the financial implications of a transaction, that they understand all related costs, and that they know the terms and conditions and their rights and obligations. We draw special attention to the key areas of an agreement, including fees and charges, changes to the agreement, applicable restrictions, overdraft protection, deposit insurance coverage, and other relevant terms and conditions.
To ensure people are fully informed, when a member-owner or account holder acquires a product or service, we provide them with the related documentation. Account holders receive regular statements and are advised of any changes. If a statement has already been provided, we may charge a reasonable fee to provide a duplicate copy. Luminus Financial gives advance notice of changes to agreements, service fees or account structures, and interest rates in accordance with applicable legislation. In cases where notice is not legally required, Luminus Financial may provide notice on their website, in-branch, by mail, or electronically.
Mortgage information
On request, Luminus Financial provides general mortgage information for member-owners and account holders with mortgages. This information includes a contact number the member-owner or account holder can call to obtain additional specific information about their mortgage.
Branch and ATM closures
We understand the potential inconvenience that the closing of a branch or ATM may have on our member-owners and account holders, and thus we make every effort to alert our member-owners to the closing of a branch or ATM as soon as possible. Luminus Financial will notify member-owners and account holders of any closures—permanent or temporary—in accordance with applicable legislation. In cases where no legislation applies, notice may be communicated by Luminus Financial on their website, in-branch, by mail, or electronically.
Disclosure
Because we often use the terms “bank,” “banking,” or “banker” in our marketing materials, we make sure account applicants new to Luminus Financial or a credit union understand that the account is not being opened in a bank. We call this process onboarding. Customers new to Luminus Financial or a credit union may not be clear on the distinction. We verify that they understand the account is with a credit union and not a bank.
Identifying deposit insurance system
When identifying our deposit insurance system, we follow the restrictions, guidance, requirements, display, and advertising rules established by provincial deposit guarantee or insurance corporations. Where no such rules exist, we follow the rules agreed to by Luminus Financial and the provincial regulator.
Luminus Financial examines all complaints and settles them fairly using a process that is accessible to everyone. Luminus Financial has procedures for fairly handling dissatisfied member-owners, account holders, or consumers. We recognize that many complaints can be effectively resolved at point of contact.
For those complaints that cannot be resolved at that stage, Luminus Financial will establish a procedure for escalation and/or designate a senior employee responsible for handling these matters. That procedure and/or the designated employees contact information will be made available on Luminus Financial’s website, at the branch, and upon request.
Luminus Financial will also establish a process for handling complaints that cannot be resolved through internal avenues.
In order to identify trends and the types of complaints lodged, Luminus Financial will maintain records of complaints received and the actions taken to address them. Luminus Financial will review trends identified in the records on a regular basis to facilitate process improvements and improve member satisfaction.
Luminus Financial is stating our re-commitment to the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada. The Code was designed to protect credit union members' interests related to the issuance and acceptance of payment cards, and to the operation of payment card networks.
Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada
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