First West Credit Union the First Credit Union in B.C. to Initiate Interac Flash(TM) Transactions

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 16, 2014) - First West Credit Union today announced it has processed its first Interac Flash™ transactions-becoming the first credit union in British Columbia to initiate the contactless, tap-and-go technology feature on its debit cards.

Interac Flash™ is a new contactless enhancement of Interac Chip debit cards that enables cardholders to make everyday small value purchases faster by simply holding their card up to a supporting reader. First West will be rolling out Interac Flash™ and Instant Card Issuance, the ability to create personalized cards in branch for members, in a phased approach at two of its Envision Financial branches. Beginning in mid-June, a limited number of these cards will be available at the Willoughby branch in Langley and High Street branch in West Abbotsford. A greater roll-out is planned for Envision Financial members this fall and to Valley First and Enderby & District Financial members in 2015.

"We are thrilled that First West Credit Union, one of Canada's leading financial institutions, has partnered with Everlink to produce their Interac Flash™ enabled debit cards via our Instant Card Issuance solution," says Mark Ripplinger, president & CEO of Everlink Payment Services Inc. "As they roll out their program, their members will be able to enjoy this new contactless payments technology quickly and securely."

"At First West, we're always looking for ways to incorporate innovation and technology into our products and services so that we can keep banking simple for our members," says Darrell Jaggers, chief information officer at First West Credit Union. "The ability to pay for purchases with the tap of your card is one of the latest evolutions in card payments and we expect to be the first credit union in B.C. to implement this for debit cards. Not only will it enable consumers to make secure, everyday purchases faster and more efficiently, it also reinforces our commitment to being progressive and offering our members more exciting ways to do their banking with us."

Photo: Jeff Jenkins, an IT manager at First West Credit Union, makes a purchase with his Interac Flash™ enabled debit card, marking the first credit union transaction of the kind in B.C.

About Everlink

Everlink Payment Services Inc. Is a leading provider of comprehensive, innovative and integrated payments solutions and services for credit unions, banks and independent sales organizations across Canada. In addition to supplying best-in-breed technology infrastructure and payment network connectivity via our well established Payment Network Gateway, we offer a diversified range of integrated payments Lines of Business including: ATM Managed Services, Card Issuance & Management, Fraud Management, POS Acquiring and Professional Services. For more information about Everlink, visit everlink.ca.

About First West Credit Union

First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. Led by Launi Skinner, First West is British Columbia's third-largest credit union with $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. It operates 39 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. For more information on First West Credit Union, visit firstwestcu.ca.

Follow First West Credit Union on Twitter: @firstwestcu

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