Written by Alterna Savings.
In Westboro, community isn’t just a concept—it’s something lived every day, whether it’s the entrepreneur who cheers when her neighbour’s shop thrives, the business owner who mentors the next generation and the way we all lift each other toward shared success. It’s who we are.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give To Gain”, captures something we’ve always known here: when women support women, everyone wins. As a member-owned credit union, this philosophy of support is the foundation of everything we do at Alterna Savings. At our Westboro branch, we see daily how giving our members the right support helps them gain the future they envision – strengthening the entire community in the process.
When cooperation creates opportunity
When you bank with us at the Alterna Savings McRae branch, you’re joining more than a financial institution—you’re joining a cooperative that puts your prosperity first. We give our expertise, resources, and unwavering support. You gain access to financial tools designed to help entrepreneurs who are building something meaningful in their communities.
This is “Give To Gain” at its core, and it shows up in everything we do. We see the unique challenges women face in business, so we give more than just encouragement. Through our Working Women Business Loan Program, we provide up to $25,000 in financing. Then, through our partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, we match it—giving you a gain of up to $50,000 in capital to launch or expand your vision.
Building dreams with practical partnership
This is support that goes beyond the balance sheet, including access to specialized banking packages, business planning support and financial education workshops designed to help you navigate challenges with confidence. For those with an early-stage idea, we give nurturing support through microfinance opportunities, helping the smallest seeds of inspiration gain the resources they need to bloom.
Every conversation at our branch starts with respect for your goals and ends with excellence in service. We collaborate with you to create solutions that honour your ambitions while embracing the diverse needs of all entrepreneurs in our community.
For our Branch Manager, Ayo Kukoyi, this is personal. “When we reinvest in the communities where we operate,” he explains, “we’re not just looking at financial returns. We’re looking at the ripple effect that happens when a local entrepreneur succeeds, and how that success lifts the entire neighbourhood.”
Your invitation to give, gain, and grow together
This International Women’s Day, we invite you to experience banking that works differently. Whether you’re launching a startup or expanding your business, let’s turn “Give to Gain” into your reality. Stop by our Westboro branch and discover how partners who believe in your potential can help you grow alongside a community that celebrates your success as its own.
Ready to build your vision? Let’s talk.
Visit: 319 McRae Avenue, Westboro
Call: 1.877.560.0100
Online: alterna.ca
Together, we can explore how our Working Women Business Loan and tailored business support can help you thrive. Because when one woman succeeds, we all gain.
