Early origins
The origins of Tru Cooperative Bank trace back to a network of community-based credit unions established across British Columbia in the mid-20th century.
In the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson Valley regions, several credit unions later formed the basis of Valley First. Penticton District Credit Union, founded in 1947, merged with Keremeos Credit Union in 1970 and Yale District Credit Union in 1982, continuing as Penticton & District Credit Union. Separately, Armstrong Spallumcheen Credit Union and KCP Credit Union operated in the region. These three institutions merged in 2001 to form Valley First Credit Union.
In the North Okanagan, Grindrod Credit Union (founded in 1946) and Enderby Credit Union (founded in 1947) merged in 1980 to create Enderby & District Credit Union.
On Vancouver Island, Crofton Credit Union and Cobble Hill Credit Union merged in 1970 to form Duncan & District Credit Union. In 1984, this institution merged with Woodworkers Credit Union (founded in 1951) to create Island Savings Credit Union.
In the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, the roots of Envision Financial developed through multiple mergers. Ladner Fishermen’s Credit Union was established in 1946 and expanded its membership in 1967, becoming Delta Credit Union. In Chilliwack, East Chilliwack Credit Union was founded in 1954 and grew through mergers with Chilliwack & District Credit Union (1967), Chilliwack Federal Employees Credit Union (1970), and Hope & District Credit Union (1974). In Abbotsford, Clearbrook District Mennonite Credit Union was founded in 1958 and renamed Clearbrook Credit Union in 1970. In 1983, Clearbrook Credit Union merged with East Chilliwack Credit Union to form First Heritage Savings Credit Union, which later merged with Snow Valley Credit Union (founded in 1953) in 1998. In 2001, First Heritage Savings Credit Union merged with Delta Credit Union to create Envision Credit Union.
A period of consolidation among British Columbia credit unions led to the formation of larger regional entities in the early 21st century.
In 2010, Envision Credit Union and Valley First Credit Union merged to form First West Credit Union. Following the merger, Envision Credit Union's brand was updated to be Envision Financial. Both Envision Financial and Valley First retained their names as regional operating divisions.
In 2013, Enderby & District Credit Union joined First West Credit Union and retained an updated version of its name, Enderby & District Financial. In 2015, Island Savings Credit Union merged with First West Credit Union, joining Envision Financial, Valley First, and Enderby & District Financial as operating divisions under the First West group of brands.
