Central 1 Credit Union Announces Departure of CFO Helen Blackburn

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2014) - Central 1 Credit Union (Central 1) today announced that Helen Blackburn, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Vice President, Strategy, will be leaving Central 1 this June.

Blackburn will be joining Pacific Blue Cross as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Analytics, effective June 23, 2014. The priority over the coming weeks will be to work together with Don Wright, Central 1's President & CEO, and the finance team towards a smooth transition.

"Frankly, I wish I wasn't announcing Helen's departure from Central 1 today," said Wright. "As both the financial services industry and credit unions evolve and as our organization transforms in response to those changes, Helen's leadership and guidance have been truly valued by Central 1 and our member credit unions. She will be missed, but we wish her well in her new position. "

Blackburn was instrumental in leading the integration of the B.C. and Ontario provincial centrals into the current Central 1. In her role as Senior Vice President, Strategy, she has been key in supporting the strategic vision for the organization. Since her promotion to CFO in 2011, she has continued to guide Central 1 to a strong financial foundation and has built a very strong and capable finance team.

An executive recruitment for the permanent CFO will begin immediately. An interim CFO will be appointed following the Board of Directors meeting on May 23, 2014.

About Central 1

Central 1 is the central financial facility and trade association for the B.C. and Ontario credit union systems. Central 1 represents a consumer-oriented, full-service retail financial system that serves 3.2 million members and holds $88.7 billion in assets and is owned primarily by its member credit unions, 43 in B.C. and 90 in Ontario.

With offices in Vancouver, Mississauga, and Toronto, Central 1 provides liquidity management, direct banking and payment service solutions as well as a wide range of trade services. For more information, visit www.central1.com.

About Pacific Blue Cross

Pacific Blue Cross has been British Columbia's leading health insurance and benefits provider for over 70 years. Our comprehensive understanding of health care fuels our commitment to service.

Together with BC Life, our subsidiary, we provide health, dental, life, disability and travel coverage for approximately 1.5 million British Columbians through employee group plans and through individual plans for those who do not have coverage with their employer.

Pacific Blue Cross and BC Life continue to respond to customers' needs in plan design, administration and technology. Visit www.pac.bluecross.ca.