Skip to main content

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Environmental, Social,
and Governance (ESG)

Value created and shared

What is ESG?

ESG, also known as Corporate Social Responsibility, is a framework that holds companies accountable for incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance into their business models and organizational decision making. At Meridian, being a good corporate citizen is at the heart of our business; it’s been an integral part of who we are for over 75 years.

By formalizing our ESG program, we’re building on the philosophy that has guided us for decades and taking our commitment to the next level. This means developing a long-term strategy for measuring, managing, and reporting on initiatives, and integrating ESG considerations into our decision making process.


Our ESG commitment Our ESG principals Our ESG pillars Our climate commitment


Our ESG commitment

We’re committed to offering our Members, employees, and communities a place where diversity is embraced and where integrity, honesty, respect, and openness are encouraged. We support the transition to a cleaner future, building financial confidence, and providing access to products, services, and tools that further our purpose to help our Members achieve their best life.

Explore our ESG commitment (PDF, 502 KB)

""

Environmental

Working to minimize the environmental impact of our operations, products, and services.

""

Social

Playing an active role in the community and treating our employees, Members, and suppliers fairly, equitably, and with respect.

""

Governance

Routinely considering the long-term environmental and social impacts when making decisions and policies.

Jay-Ann Gilfoy
A message from our CEO, Jay-Ann Gilfoy
As a Member-based organization, we’re agile, allowing us to address pressing issues in real time and make a real difference. We’re actioning our purpose in three key areas:

1. Economic inclusion: ensuring our Members have access to the capital they need to meet their goals
2. Environmental stewardship: helping Members transition to a future that is greener and cleaner
3. Financial confidence: giving Members the information they need to make informed financial decisions

Jay-Ann Gilfoy signature

Explore the full Meridian 2021 ESG report (PDF, 7 MB)

 

Meridian’s ESG Principals


""

Leveraging our cooperative values, corporate knowledge, and expertise, credibly, authentically, and transparently.

""

Supporting the long-term sustainability of Meridian to serve our Members, customers, communities, and employees.

""

Considering the risks and impact of our operations on the planet and to our Members, customers, communities, and employees.

""

Communicating how our commitments are aligned with our purpose and our strategy.

""

Ensuring that our products and services are fair, equitable, and accessible.

 

Our ESG Pillars

Identifying what matters most to our stakeholders and understanding where we can make the greatest impact are critical to advancing ESG at Meridian Credit Union, Meridian OneCap Credit Corp., and motusbank.

To prioritize our efforts, we conducted a materiality assessment in 2021. This work involved scanning our business sector and connecting with stakeholders, including our Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and our retail and commercial banking Members.

Based on the results of the assessment, we’re organizing our ESG activities and reporting around five key pillars.

 

Farm combine harvester

Environmental stewardship

Two women sitting together and laughing

Member experience

Meridian employee standing outside underneath the Meridian sign

Community

Meridian advisor looking at paperwork with a Member

People and culture

Woman writing in a notebook and holding a tea cup

Governance and responsible management

The difference between Members and Customers: at Meridian, Members are our owners

The people and businesses who bank with us are Members, which means they are owners, and they have a say in how their financial institution is run.

Unlike larger FIs, our profits are not paid out to shareholders. Instead, the profits we make go toward improving the quality of our products and services, community investment, and ensuring we remain a safe and trusted financial institution.

Our climate commitment

Climate change is a global crisis that impacts everyone, everywhere. And there’s a clear connection between how the finance industry operates and the health of our local communities.

This is an excellent opportunity for Meridian to address our current situation, respond to the public’s demand for climate action, and clearly differentiate ourselves from the competition by taking the lead in initiating environmental policies and practices.

Outside view of a Meridian branch

Climate Leadership

Our goal is to become a local climate leader in the financial sector by:

  • Aligning our spaces with our climate goals, reducing operational impacts, and contributing towards building thriving communities for Meridian’s Members, customers and employees.
  • Ensuring all our emission sources are on pathways to net zero by 2050, or sooner.
  • Committing to impactful climate policies and financially supporting the transition to a cleaner economy for businesses and individual Members.
  • Communicating regularly with our Members, customers and the public about Meridian’s progress.

We know we’re making some bold statements, but it takes concrete steps and decisive actions if we’re going to save our planet from the destructive forces of climate change. By actively making positive changes alongside other financial leaders, we know that we can make all the difference in the world.

Explore our climate commitment (PDF, 292 KB)

Frequently asked questions

Our path to purpose: Meridian for Good

Looking toward the future, we’ll continue to focus on our strategy, Meridian for Good. This is our commitment to focusing on the four key ESG initiatives that are essential to us and to the communities we serve.

  • Climate change: a changing climate affects us all, no matter where we live.
  • Affordable living: every Canadian should have a home to call their own.
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: everyone should feel that they can be their true selves, always.
  • Equal access to financial support: the key to financial success is financial knowledge.


We’re driven to strengthening the impact we can have on our Members and communities. We’ll apply an ESG lens to our strategy as we aim to make stronger connections with stakeholders on the issues that matter to them. Over time, we’ll share our progress and set benchmarks for the future to hold ourselves accountable.

Explore the full Meridian 2021 ESG report (PDF, 7 MB)

Questions about ESG at Meridian?