Charmaine Smith, Regional Manager of Commercial Lending
COMOX VALLEY – First Credit Union has a new Regional Manager of Commercial Lending specialist on board who will be focusing on the Comox Valley.
Charmaine Smith has joined First Credit Union from Coastal Community Credit Union, where she was Business Relationship Manager, Commercial Lending, focusing on the Oceanside region. She will work through the Courtenay, Cumberland, Union Bay, Bowser and Hornby Island branches of First Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative and the first chartered credit union in BC founded in 1939 in Powell River.
“My decision to join First Credit Union is because I believe there is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the commercial division and the members we serve,” says Charmaine. “I’m excited to be part of a small team that has a lot of room to grow.
“First’s philosophy also appeals to me, its commitment to build financially healthy communities, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility speak to me. I am also impressed to see more women in executive positions in the company”. As a certified B-Corp organization that uses a triple bottom line framework, First Credit Union is dedicated to using business as a force for good.
Charmaine has volunteered as a Director for the Parksville Volleyball Club and the Oceanside Development and Construction Association, and her husband and daughter are volunteer firefighters with the Dashwood Fire Department.
Charmaine’s portfolio has historically been balanced, and she is proficient in construction and interim financing, investment properties, and operating lines of credit.
“Our commercial lending team has a number of great services and professional expertise available to our members,” she states. The team includes Jillian Vizzutti and Kelly Jones and offers commercial mortgages, including term financing for commercial and residential properties (rental investment properties), construction financing and property development, commercial lines of credit and small business online banking. Reach out via firstcu.ca for questions and inquiries.
“I have over 15 years working in the credit union financial sector with the past 8 years in commercial services,” Charmaine states. “I am passionate about building solid relationships to help local businesses grow.
“I believe the success of our local communities are the responsibility of all who live in them. I am active in the community and believe that it is good business to support our local economies on both a professional and personal level.”