Community Savings Credit Union wins two Canadian Marketing Association awards

November 21, 2022 (Vancouver/ Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations)

Community Savings Credit Union’s creative campaigns to launch its cannabis accounts took home two awards at the Canadian Marketing Association’s national awards night on Friday November 18.

The annual CMA Awards recognize the best in Canadian marketing, including the top campaigns of the year. Community Savings Credit Union was the only credit union recognized at the prestigious national awards.

Community Savings created unique direct mailing campaigns including ‘Roll with us’, featuring custom-branded rolling papers, and ‘Does your bank deliver?’, featuring custom-printed pizza-scented pizza boxes with a ‘menu’ detailing Community Savings’ account offerings. Alongside the direct mail campaigns, Community Savings used media relations and influencers to further its message of support for the cannabis industry, raising awareness of the prejudiced treatment of cannabis businesses with national media outlets.

Fees for cannabis businesses with traditional banks were (and still are) high. Cannabis businesses face either outright refusals to open accounts, or overpriced application costs and high banking fees - fees tend to run from 1500% to 5000% higher for a cannabis business compared to other retail businesses

Mike Schilling, President and CEO of Community Savings Credit Union said: “There is a serious side to our campaigns that have fun with cannabis culture. We meet too many businesses in the industry that are being exploited, and paying up to 5000% more than they should for a simple account and application fee. We treat cannabis retailers like any other small business, with best in class service and products.

This campaign isn’t only about the cannabis industry - it is about equal access to fair and affordable banking services. Community Savings will continue to advocate for what is right and what is fair, and supporting the cannabis industry is just the beginning.”

For more on cannabis banking, visit www.comsavings.com/rollwithus