Our History

The Group of 10

Transcona Credit Union Society launched with $50 in its account. Ten charter members from the Canadian National Railway (CNR) Transcona Shops — Walter Alam, Harry Brown, Charles Burkett, Robert Davison, Arthur Everton, Eric Hansen, Thomas Herling, Walter Keen, Peter Mathewson and Michael Tomkiw — put up $5 each to form an employee credit union.

Open for Business

TCU operated out of a small trailer on Bond Street, north of the CNR Shops' main gate. Members could open savings accounts and apply for mortgages up to $1,000.

Bond Street Finance

A new office opened at 208 Bond Street. Membership in TCU is opened to all Transcona residents.

New Location

TCU moved into new offices at 108 Bond Street.

Open to All

TCU opened its bond of association. Now, anyone could become a member.

Million Dollar Milestone

Thirteen years after being established, TCU achieved $1 million in assets.

Walk-Up Service

Manitoba's first walk-up teller was installed. It handled deposits and withdrawals before and after regular office hours.

Merger Vote

Members of TCU and the CCIL Employees Credit Union approved a merger. TCU grew by 174 new members.

A New Address

Increasing membership led to the construction of a new building at 1300 Plessis Road. The Bond Street branch is closed two years later.

Another First

TCU became the first Manitoba credit union to go online with an electronic financial services network. The move paved the way for automated tellers.

Do-it-Yourself Automation

An ATM was installed in the Plessis branch. By 1989, the machine was recognized as the busiest credit union ATM in the province.

Financial Fun

TCU's youngest members could learn about saving money, thanks to the launch of the Fat Cat and Moving Up youth accounts.

Eastward Expansion

TCU opened a new branch on Kildare Avenue. Walter Alam, the last remaining charter member, cut the ribbon.

Drive-Thru Convenience

Manitoba's first credit union drive-thru ATM is unveiled at the Plessis branch. It processed 996 transactions in four days.

High School Branch

TCU partnered with Transcona Collegiate Institute to form Titan Credit Union, a course-based program that taught money management.

Celebrating Success

TCU's first 50 years of success were celebrated.

Fresh Identity

A new branch opened on St. Anne's Road in St. Vital. To reflect an expansion to a new market area, TCU changed its name to Casera Credit Union.

Making a Difference

Casera became a sponsor of the Casera Walk With L'Arche, a significant fundraiser to assist people with developmental disabilities.

Service Enhancements

A new computer system was installed, enhancing Casera's delivery of Internet-based services. Casera became the first credit union in Manitoba to launch mobile banking.

Security and Convenience

Casera introduced chip cards with microchip technology to make retail payments and ATM withdrawals safer and more convenient.

Honouring Our Heritage

Casera celebrated 60 years of success, publishing Strength Through Service, a credit union history covering 1951 to 2011.

Rolling Out Technology

New banking technology – Mobile Web, Interac® e-Transfer and Direct Alerts – was rolled out. Casera's Facebook page made its debut.

Keeping Pace

To keep pace with the competitive financial industry, Casera launched a new app called Casera CU Mobile. Small Business Online Banking was also introduced to help meet the needs of business members.

Stepping Forward

Deposit Anywhere™ was introduced, allowing members to deposit cheques with their smartphones.

Casera refreshed its logo and introduced U.B., the credit union's new spokesperson. A new website called uncomplicatedadvice.ca, was launched, becoming a companion site to caseracu.ca.

Casera partnered with Dakota Collegiate to establish Lancer Credit Union, a course-based program that taught money management.

To help broaden the credit union's reach, a virtual branch – Casera Financial – was launched online. Now, members could conduct business with Casera no matter where they lived.

Pioneering Success

Casera celebrates 65 years of initiative and innovation, publishing Trailblazers Infographic Poster, a history of the credit union's trailblazing firsts.

The inaugural Casera Community Awards was launched to recognize individuals and nonprofit groups whose tireless leadership enriches our neighbourhoods.

Service Optimization

New generation ATMs are installed at the Kildare and Southglen branches. The machines feature a larger monitor with improved graphics and an enhanced interface.

Personal Financial Management (PFM) system was launched as an enhanced feature of CU@Home — an innovative and secure way for members to view their accounts and understand their money.

Youth branch Titan Credit Union celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Making it Count

Casera partnered with the Manitoba Securities Commission and Louis Riel School Division to introduce Make it Count, a financial literacy program for Grades 4 to 7 at H.S. Paul School in St. Vital.

Casera and Qtrade Investor launched a cost-effective online investing platform.

As part of the All-Party Credit Union Caucus, Casera submitted a brief to the Federal Government. It requested flexibility for Canada's credit unions to continue using terms such as "bank" and "banking" when serving members. The group's advocacy and support of Members of Parliament helped clarify ambiguous language in the Bank Act.

Introducing Online Advice

Partnering with Aviso Wealth, Casera introduced VirtualWealth,®, an online advice platform that matches investors with tailored, professionally managed portfolios based on goals, timelines and tolerance for risk.

The Kildare branch celebrated 25 years of serving members in East Transcona. A special event marked the milestone.

Meeting the Challenge

Casera met the challenge of COVID-19 by implementing an emergency preparedness plan to protect staff and members and ensure the safe delivery of financial services. When the Manitoba government declared an emergency, the St. Anne's branch was temporarily closed. Business hours at the Plessis and Kildare branches were reduced to help maintain physical distancing. Comprehensive health and safety protocols were implemented, including increasing sanitization, maximizing the number of members inside the branches, and installing plastic shields at all member service points.

Celebrating 70 Years

Casera celebrated its 70th anniversary, providing an opportunity to commemorate the credit union’s heritage of financial innovation, member service, and community support.

The COVID-19 pandemic continued with Casera following government health directives and deploying safety measures in the branches to keep members and staff safe.

Casera acknowledged the harmful outcome that residential schools had on Indigenous peoples. Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 92nd of 94 Calls to Action, the credit union continued to build respectful relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.