EQ's Concentra awards $150,000 to credit unions strengthening Canadian communities

Empowering Your Community program has awarded more than $2.3 million to credit unions making an impact, since its inception in 2011

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Equitable Bank (EQ) today announced that its subsidiary Concentra has awarded $150,000 to six credit unions through its 2026 Empowering Your Community (EYC) program. A leading partner to the credit union system, Concentra provides trust and financial service solutions to Canadian credit unions and has awarded more than $2.3 million to credit unions and their partners since the program's inception in 2011.

The grants come as Canadians increasingly look to institutions that strengthen their local economies. Member-owned and accountable to the communities they serve, credit unions turn local knowledge into local investment and are among the country's leading small-business lenders. EQ and Concentra are proud to stand with credit unions, supporting them in serving six million credit union members across Canada.

Since 2011, the EYC program has provided grants to credit unions across Canada in support of community causes that improve mental health, advance Indigenous resurgence, provide housing, and strengthen food security, putting capital directly behind the community organizations credit unions choose to stand beside. EQ is proud to continue engaging with credit unions and their partners as they create meaningful change in communities across the country.

"Credit unions play a unique role in Canada's financial ecosystem," said Tanya Postlewaite, Vice President, Trust and Credit Union Services at EQ. "Their deep community roots allow them to address local needs in ways few others can. This year's recipients reflect that strength, and through Concentra, we are proud to support their work in building more resilient and inclusive communities across Canada."

Winners of the 2026 Empowering Your Community grant include:

• Access Credit Union and Assiniboine Credit Union – Awarded $100,000 to scale the Harvest Manitoba program in Winnipeg. Harvest Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity across the province by collecting and distributing food, providing client-centered solutions, and advocating for long-term change. As Manitoba's provincial food network, Harvest supports more than 380 food banks and community agencies, working toward a future where no Manitoban goes hungry.

Additionally, $10,000 was awarded to each of the following credit unions for meaningful community initiatives:

• Compass Credit Union and Rolling River First Nation (MB) for the MUSKODAA PISIKI (Buffalo) Project 
• Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (ON) for Growing Resilience: Strengthening Ward 13's Community Food System Project 
• Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (BC) for the Shuswap Community Teaching Garden Greenhouse Project 
• Affinity Credit Union (SK) for the nēhiyawak Language Experience  
• StellerVista Credit Union (BC) for the Full Bellies Full Hearts Project with Fernie Food Security Society

EQ and Concentra congratulate all 2026 grant winners and thank every credit union that applied. Together these initiatives show what the credit union system contributes to Canada: local decisions, local ownership and local results, at a time when the country is investing in its own capacity to grow. EQ and Concentra are proud to stand behind them.

About Equitable Bank
EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is a leading Canadian financial services company with approximately $151 billion in combined assets under management and administration. It is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country's seventh largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. 

Our purpose is to remake banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Since 1970, we have built thoughtful financial solutions that serve more than 4 million customers, turning everyday moments into meaningful progress. As the exclusive financial partner of Loblaw Companies Limited's PC Optimum™ loyalty program – one of Canada's largest loyalty programs with more than 18 million members – EQ Bank's financial solutions are deeply embedded into the daily lives of Canadians.  

We provide personal and commercial banking services to Canadian households and businesses through everyday banking, tailored lending and connected payments, while fueling competition and choice in Canadian banking. Through our subsidiaries, we also offer home and auto insurance, estate and trust services, credit union solutions and alternative asset management. 

To learn more, visit eqb.investorroom.com and eqbank.ca, or connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Investor contact:
Lemar Persaud
SVP and Head of IR
[email protected]

Media contact:
Danielle Mason
Director, PR & Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Equitable Bank