Jeff Shewfelt
Co-CEO
Jeff Shewfelt has 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry having joined Gulf and Fraser Credit Union in 1991 as a management trainee. With Bill Kiss, Jeff was appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer in 2011. Jeff held ever-increasing responsibilities prior to his appointment as Co-CEO in areas of retail and commercial lending, service delivery, human resources, marketing and strategy. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC, Certified Credit Union directors from CUES and is a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada.
Jeff is most proud of the growth that Gulf & Fraser has experienced during his time at the credit union which has created opportunity for members, staff and the community. That growth includes increasing the branch network from two branches to 29 and assets that are approaching $5 billion.
In years past, credit unions were established because members couldn’t get loans or financial services from traditional banks. Now, fewer consumers are excluded, but members belong to credit unions because the values match their own and they expect world class solutions and applications that will make their financial lives easier. The next challenge is to meet the ever-increasing expectations of consumers and members in an industry being impacted by significant digital disruption. Jeff is excited by the challenges of designing and delivering a new digital financial services experience that will help members achieve their personal financial goals.
"As Co-CEO, the greatest challenge is to ensure that we have a great team of knowledgeable staff providing exceptional personal service, that our products and services are meeting the needs of our members and that we are making the appropriate investments in technology to serve members when, where and how they want to be served."
Jeff firmly believes in the collaborative and community values held by Gulf & Fraser. He is a champion of the principle of cooperation among cooperatives and has chaired several industry initiatives to bring benefit to not just Gulf & Fraser, but to all credit unions.
Jeff also invests considerable time in charitable initiatives. Jeff is proud to be Trustee Emeritus of the Credit Union Foundation of British Columbia—a philanthropic organization that provides education awards to students in need of financial assistance. He is former Chair of the First Tee of Greater Vancouver and is a proud supporter of the United Way, BC Children’s Hospital and Zajac Ranch for Kids.