Winter 2011 fresh Alter-RRSPs Alterna is a full-service provider of investment solutions. That means we offer a whole lot more than just term deposits! In fact, we provide you with the right tools, information, and investment solutions to help you make the best decisions for your long-term savings, retirement, or investment needs.

So what makes Knowledge Choice See page 3 to learn how and Expertise From mutual funds*, stocks*, and Alterna is popping the Alterna a The Qtrade Investment Specialists bonds* to guaranteed index-linked myths about investing for first-class at Alterna will help you develop an term deposits and simple redeemable your retirement. investment plan built just for you. or fixed term deposits, Alterna has Don’t delay—the RRSP provider of Plus, thanks to our new partnership the RRSP options you are looking for. investing deadline for with Qtrade Financial Group, Security the 2010 tax year is Alter-RRSPs we have more licensed mutual Unlimited deposit insurance on March 1, 2011. Contact funds* representatives in our registered investments, including Alterna today to get started. and TFSAs? branches than ever before. RRSPs and TFSAs. A Great Start to the Have Looking New Year Your Say! for fresh Alterna’s Money Management Program

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G is a complimentary, personalized D U Join program designed to help members B e-news? take control of their day-to-day finances through budgeting and controlled Sign up for the spending. A Personal Money Coach Join Alterna’s online community e-version of fresh will work with you to determine which and have your say through surveys Write [email protected] and that are relevant to your financial Money Villain is foiling your finances please include your name and help you find the path to short- needs and interests, read the latest and long-term financial success.Call news, benefit from helpful financial and mailing address. 1.877.560.0100 to book an appointment articles, and enter great contests! The paper version of Alterna’s with a Personal Money Coach today. Find the link on alterna.ca. newsletter is now more eco-friendly. With a new name It’s easy to take part, in person or and design, we’ve also changed Annual our printing process. fresh online! is printed on 100% recycled paper Vote in person at the AGM on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. using environmentally-friendly General Vote online in advance, March 1 to April 8, 2011. processes—which translates into Watch alterna.ca for updates and see page 2 for more 22.2 trees saved from harvesting Meeting AGM details. and a reduction of 5,030 lbs in air emissions. A New Brand for a New Year! We accomplished much in From all of this research we 2010 and, although some of recognized that Alterna has it is behind the scenes, it all something special to offer our has an impact on Alterna’s members and clients, because ability to serve you better. Alterna is about connections Through focus groups and and not just transactions. We are various types of surveys, approachable, warm, and engaging. Alterna solicited feedback We want you to depend on us and from members, non-members, trust that we put your interests first the Board, and employees and foremost. Alterna exists for and this past year. We discovered because of you. that both members and Secondly, we want to be an new—we’ve always been about reflect the new brand as well. non-members feel that banks important part of our communities. connections and we’re not trying to In addition, plans are in the are typically more interested And, that means more than simply change the way we do things. We works to launch a totally new in their money than they are renting space for a branch, but simply wanted to find a better way website with enhanced features them as individuals. We heard rather becoming part of the fabric to articulate how your experience and navigation, new content and you say that you want human of the communities we serve. Our with Alterna aligns with our core financial calculators, plus upgraded interactions and relationships talented employees offer expertise values. This fall we freshened up telephone banking, and feature-rich at your financial institutions. and services that can help our the look of our existing website and including new bill Our employees told us that communities grow and prosper— new brochures were introduced in payment services. Please keep an they care. They care for and we want to play our part. our branches. You’re reading our eye on our website to learn more as each other, their members, We launched our new brand revamped newsletter—fresh!—and the brand continues to develop. and Alterna. in November. Well, it’s not really our current promotional materials

of contemporary credit unions. Banks were rare in rural areas so An this was seen as a real innovation. Annual The Raiffeisenbank, his namesake, Wealth Management is Austria’s largest banking group General today. Alter- One of Alterna Savings’ Alter-Services that make a Difference Meeting predecessors, CS CO-OP, was the first Canadian Wednesday, to be established outside Quebec, Idea way back in 1908. Alphonse April 13, 2011 Desjardins, who started the first Quebec caisse populaire, was one 6:00 to 9:00 pm Once upon a time there were of CS CO-OP’s founders as well. His (to be confirmed) only big banks, where men—and only men—sat smoking cigars in support for credit unions was first Ottawa Venue cozy, wood-panelled boardrooms motivated by anger when he heard Hampton Inn & Conference Centre while most average working of a Montrealer who was required 200 Coventry Road people were left out in the cold. to pay nearly $5,000 in interest on a Toronto Venue Then came credit unions—financial money lender’s of $150! Metro Toronto Convention Centre institutions for the rest of us. Running a financial institution on North Building, Constitution Hall Today there are almost 4,500 the principles of democracy may 255 Front Street West credit unions in 97 countries not seem like a radical idea today, around the world serving 172 but in the first half of the 20th million members and controlling US century, when profit-motivated Voting at the AGM $1.1 trillion in assets. The European banks made it difficult for the Members will vote for 4 positions Association of Co-operative Banks average citizen to borrow or invest, on the Board of Directors. At the accounts for another 34 million it was revolutionary. time of publication, no proposed members. So what does this all mean to changes to the credit union’s In spite of credit unions’ colourful you? As a member of Alterna by-laws are expected. background, a significant number Savings, you are an owner in a AGM registration details will of members don’t know the history alternative be made available on alterna.ca of these ‘people’s banks’ and, where people come before profits shortly. consequently, the power that and your opinion truly matters. In membership represents. Like return for the rights and benefits Online Voting they say, knowledge is power, so of membership, members have Debit Chip Cards let’s brush up on that! responsibilities too—the credit Vote in advance—it’s easy! Although the first credit unions union needs your participation. Your Alterna debit/ABM card will be Visit alterna.ca between appeared in Germany in 1852, It doesn’t take much—read the replaced with a new state-of-the-art chip March 1 and April 8, 2011. founded by Franz Hermann newsletter, take a look at the card in the summer of 2011. Please be You’ll be able to read the Board Schulze-Delitzsch, another German, website, join AlternaSphere, and sure Alterna has your up-to-date mailing candidate bios, listen to their F.W. Raiffeisen, is considered vote for the Board of Directors address so you receive your Access Card audio statements, and then cast more important. He opened once a year. You can attend in a timely manner. See alterna.ca for your vote. Computers will be Germany’s first rural credit union the Annual General Meeting more details and for updates as the card available in branches for members in 1864, leveraging what he called (AGM) or, if it’s more conversion approaches. who require internet access. social capital, the underpinning convenient, simply vote online.

2 Alter-RRSP Investing for Everyone Procrastination is one of life’s great mysteries. We know it’s not very helpful and yet we all do it. When it comes to RRSP investing, procrastination has real monetary costs—and even so, we put it at the bottom of the to-do list. We tell ourselves RRSP myths to help justify our procrastination. So, let’s work on popping some of those myths and find a way to check RRSP investing off your 2011 list.

Myth #18: “It’s too late for me to based on your appetite for risk buying new gadgets start” – First of all, it’s never too and you will make returns that are and travelling today late. Yes, you could have started both satisfactory and within your may just come to a crashing earlier and benefited from doing expectations. Besides, just putting halt at retirement time, unless so. But starting today is better that money aside for your future is you plan for it now. than tomorrow. Set up a regular ‘paying yourself’, never mind your There are many investment investment plan so that every pay returns. strategies you can employ to help day a set amount is automatically Myth #82: “I need to give up my you kick-start your retirement transferred into an RRSP. It won’t lifestyle to invest” – You don’t need savings, but the first step is up hurt a bit and it really adds up. to put so much aside that it cramps to you. Myth #33: “I need lots of money your style, just enough so you are It’s your future—take action to make money” – No, you don’t. actually accumulating some savings today and contact Alterna Making your money work for for your future. And remember, to start the myth-popping you is a matter of degree. Invest all that satisfaction you get from conversation.

Qtrade Wealth Management Investor #1 Alterna is proud to Alter-Services that make a Difference partner with Qtrade® Financial Group to offer We recognize that you work members meet their financial goals.” modest, maybe they are grand– hard for your money and you Joe Perrin, COO of Qtrade regardless, everyone needs a Qtrade Investor—ranked want your money to work hard Financial Group, echoes that financial plan. #1 online brokerage for for you. With that in mind, we are sentiment: “Qtrade is very excited At Alterna, our sole focus is the fifth straight year! proud to announce that Alterna’s to be working so closely with to help you build a unique and Evaluated by Rob Carrick wealth management services Alterna in this new partnership. Our professionally managed financial of The Globe and Mail, offer you more than ever before, expertise and resources combined solution that creates and preserves the rankings are based with the talent and dedication of including expanded branch access. wealth for your future and that of on costs, ease of trading, We’ve partnered with industry Alterna employees is a winning your family. Take advantage of the customer satisfaction, leader, Qtrade Financial Group, to combination that will serve wealth management services at bring you an outstanding level of members very well.” Alterna this RRSP season and take tools, personalized investment services and products. We all have hopes and dreams control of your financial future. account reporting, “We truly believe that this new for our future. Maybe they are and the website. partnership will greatly improve the wealth management services available to Alterna members and clients,” says John Lahey, President and CEO of Alterna. “While we have long offered equity investments and Community investment planning, my hope is that more members take advantage of our wealth management services Donations so we can help more of our The Alterna Savings Donations If you are involved with a Committee—comprised of community organization for Directors, members, and which a modest donation can staff—distributed more than have a big impact, please submit Debit Chip Cards $27,500 to worthy causes this a ‘Donations’ application form, fall. Individual awards ranged which can be found at alterna.ca Cards not from $500 to $2,500. All funds under the Community tab. exactly as shown. are made available through corporate donations and the money collected from you, Spare Change Program our members, through the Sign up for the Spare Change Program and every month your ‘change’ Spare Change Program. To will be swept out and pooled with funds from other members to support learn about all 15 recipient organizations or initiatives related to child poverty, the environment, or organizations, please visit homelessness—it’s your choice. It only costs an average of 50 cents, and alterna.ca. never more than 99 cents, per month.

3 CSR Idol Visits Uganda Alterna employee Christine The CCA has a permanent office In Canada, credit unions are closely Racine was voted the 2010 in Kampala, and there Ingrid works regulated; for example, Ontario credit Corporate Social Responsibility closely with the Uganda Co-operative unions are prohibited from having (CSR) Idol at the Annual General Alliance (UCA). Christine met outstanding to any person or Meeting. Her reward was a trip Leonard Msemakweli, UCA’s General connected persons in excess of 25% Christine Racine and Ingrid Fischer to a developing country with Secretary, who was thrilled to have of regulatory capital. That protects us children to university thanks the Canadian Co-operative a Canadian visitor. Ingrid and UCA from any major bad debt”, Christine to her involvement in the Association (CCA). Christine representatives took Christine on a explained. While the CCA and UCA co-operative. This is an example travelled to Kampala, Uganda, tour of four local SACCOs. Christine can’t change the law, they are working of the difference that the CCA where her first taste of the was struck immediately by the together to implement guidelines to is making in Uganda. capital city was unbelievably importance of the CCA’s work in prevent SACCOs from taking on these The final part of Christine’s chaotic traffic. Coming from Uganda, noting that she “learned a high levels of risk. The knowledge trip was a safari expedition, North America, “nothing lot about the challenges the SACCOs shared in these visits is invaluable to but when it was unexpectedly can prepare you for traffic in face—including earning the public’s the future sustainability of Uganda’s cancelled, Leonard would hear Kampala”, joked Christine. trust”. credit union system. nothing of it—he wanted her There Christine met Ingrid Christine also visited an to experience the splendour of Fischer, Africa Director for the agricultural co-op in the District his country. He made alternate CCA’s international development of Mokono that is growing thanks arrangements and Christine department. She manages the to support from the CCA and was sent off into the wilderness. CCA’s programs in five African UCA. Through education and There she encountered camping countries, which include financial supports, the members adventures and wild animals educational and financial of the co-op are developing value- including monkeys, baboons, support for new and growing added processes that increase warthogs, elephants, giraffes, co-operatives. Christine also met their income. For example, rather hippos, crocodiles, water buffalo, CCA volunteer Fred Townley than simply selling pineapples and more! “It was a wonderful McKay who shares his financial fresh when in season, members end to my experience in knowledge as a former CEO of In Uganda there are very few credit have developed pineapple wine. Uganda,” exclaimed Christine. Innovation Credit Union with union regulations in effect—this Each bottle sells for thirty times as “The people, the work of Uganda Central Cooperative creates financial instability. “Some much as a single pineapple would! the CCA, and the country’s Financial Services to support of the SACCOs lend out more funds Florence, the president of the beauty—I will never forget it.” SACCOs, as credit unions are than they have on deposit. And co-op, has been able to increase known in most of Africa. default rates range from 20 to 30%. her standard of living and send two

Vote for the next CSR Idol! Every year Alterna recognizes one exceptional employee who dedicates his or her personal time to selfless causes. A committee selects the top nominees, and the CSR Idol is chosen by you. Vote for Alterna’s 2011 CSR Idol online or at the AGM. Keep an eye on alterna.ca for details.

Alterna Savings is a member of the Deposit The Mentors Circle Insurance Corporation of Ontario. CS Alterna Learn from those who have been there. 2011 Dates Topics Bank is a member of the Canada Deposit Alter- Insurance Corporation. If you have a ‘micro’ business, this Understanding January 25 Alterna refers to Alterna Savings and Credit program is for you. Hosted by Elizabeth Money Exercise Union Limited (“Alterna Savings”) and its wholly Ideas for Verwey (www.officementors.com), these owned subsidiary CS (“Alterna 2.5 hour sessions will focus on goal- The Plan-as-You-Go Bank”). Together, Alterna Savings and Alterna February 22 Bank form the Alterna Financial Group. setting, brainstorming, and problem Business Plan Business solving. *Mutual funds and other securities are March 29 SNAP Selling offered through Qtrade Advisor, a division Location: Centre for Social Innovation, of Qtrade Securities Inc., member IIROC Success 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400, and CIPF. Mutual funds are also offered The Most Successful Toronto through Qtrade Asset Management Inc., April 27 Small Business in the member MFDA. Commissions, trailing Time: 6:00 to 8:30 pm World commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read Perfect for busy entrepreneurs, For more information or the prospectus before investing. Unless Tele- Alterna’s convenient Tele-Classes let to register for the otherwise stated, mutual fund securities you call in and learn as you listen. and cash balances are not insured Tele-Classes are presented by local Mentors Circle or nor guaranteed, their values change Classes business expert, David Cohen, a Tele-Classes, contact frequently and past performance may not business coach and facilitator who Jean Barrett, Community be repeated. provides creative growth strategies to Micro Loan Coordinator small businesses. ([email protected]). Various topics will be offered in 2011. Please register at least one Visit alterna.ca for dates and details. week in advance.

Ottawa Toronto Alterna Savings Alterna Bank Founding Member Corporate Office Corporate Office TeleService TeleService of CBSR Ontario 400 Albert Street 165 Attwell Drive Centre Centre Ottawa, ON Toronto, ON Toll Free: Toll Free: Alterna is a member of K1R 5B2 M9W 5Y5 1.877.560.0100 1.866.560.0120 Toronto: Gatineau: 416.252.5621 819.595.6980 Ottawa: Ottawa: alterna.ca 613.560.0100 613.560.0120