With intentions to merge announced last summer, today the Boards of both Interior Savings and Gulf & Fraser* have announced Brian Harris as CEO of the proposed new entity.
If the merger proceeds, which requires consent from the BC Financial Services Authority and a positive vote by both memberships, Brian will take the lead on a new provincial credit union that is anticipated to be the second largest provincially-regulated credit union in BC and the only credit union with branches spanning almost the entire breadth of the province.
“We are excited to announce Brian Harris as CEO of the proposed new credit union,” said Floyd Yamamoto, President and Board Chair at Gulf & Fraser. “A dynamic and visionary leader, with experience guiding financial institutions around the world through unprecedented change, Brian is well-positioned to lead us into this new era.”
Currently President and CEO of Interior Savings, Brian has over 20 years of experience leading financial services companies through significant growth while helping them adapt to a shifting landscape that includes rapidly evolving technology, increased regulatory demands and a level of competition never seen before. Prior to joining Interior Savings, Brian was Chief Product Officer at Nets, a leading payments provider based in the Nordics, where he and his team helped revolutionize the consumer and small business digital experience for more than 150 European financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and digital banks.
According to Rob Shirra, Interior Savings’ Board Chair, “We have an incredible opportunity before us to join together as two like-minded credit unions to have a greater impact in our communities, to improve the experience for members and to provide more opportunity for our employees to grow and develop in their careers. With Brian’s expertise and leadership, we will work to create experiences that will delight members with enhanced digital capabilities that complement the trusted, personalized service for which both Interior Savings and Gulf & Fraser are known.”
Both Interior Savings and Gulf & Fraser were founded over 80-years ago by a small group of members with a vision for a financial institution that would put people before profits and help build strong communities. Eight decades later, and still in pursuit of that same vision, they have grown to a collective 160,000 members across BC.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with leading these two strong and well-respected organizations into this next chapter,” said Brian Harris. “I am excited for the future and the opportunity to build on this foundation as we work to do even more for our members and communities. By bringing our talented and dedicated teams together, we look forward to being a credit union for all of British Columbia, helping our members and communities thrive, no matter where they are in the Province.”
This announcement follows on the heels of the announcement that Gulf & Fraser’s current Co-CEOs, Bill Kiss and Jeff Shewfelt, will be retiring after a collective 73 years in the financial services industry. Bill and Jeff intend to stay on for a period of time as advisors to Brian and to support a smooth transition for members and employees should the proposed merger be approved.
To learn more about the proposed merger between Interior Savings and Gulf & Fraser visit www.togetherwearebetter.ca
About Interior Savings Credit Union
Interior Savings is a member-owned, democratically controlled credit union dedicated to creating local money while helping to build vibrant communities. Through its 22 branches, 16 insurance offices, Member Service Centre, and two Commercial Service Centres, the Credit Union offers personal and commercial banking and a full range of insurance and wealth management services to more than 80,000 members across 15 communities. In the last 10 years, Interior Savings has returned $29 million to members through its Member Rewards Program and invested over $5 million in support of community programs. Learn more at interiorsavings.com, or visit Interior Savings on Facebook or Do Some Good.
About Gulf & Fraser Credit Union
Gulf & Fraser proudly provides credit union members with a full range of personal and business banking, investment, and insurance solutions. For over 80 years, we have been committed to empowering our communities through local collaboration, financial wellness education, and reliable advice and service. We’re Gulf & Fraser and we’re here to Power your possible™.
Gulf & Fraser serves over 71,000 members and offers personal and commercial banking and a full range of insurance and wealth management services through its network of 28 branches spanning from downtown Vancouver through the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley into the Boundary region of BC in Grand Forks. Learn more at gulfandfraser.com, or visit Gulf & Fraser on Facebook or Do Some Good.
