Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario

The role of the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario (DICO) is to protect depositors of Ontario credit unions. Deposit insurance is part of a comprehensive protection program in all Ontario credit unions which is backed by provincial legislation. DICO is an agency of the Province of Ontario established in 1977 and has responsibilities for ensuring its insured institutions operate in accordance with sound business and financial practices.

What does DICO insure?

DICO insures Canadian currency deposits payable in Canada including:

• savings and chequing accounts;
• term deposits including index-linked;
• term deposits;
• guaranteed investment certificates;
• deposits in registered savings plans e.g. RRSP, LIRA, RRIF, LIF, RDSP;
• deposits in TFSA.

To be eligible for deposit insurance protection, you must be a member of a credit union.

What does DICO NOT insure?

DICO does NOT insure:

• mutual funds;
• membership shares;
• patronage, investment or preferred shares issued by a credit union;
• foreign currency deposit accounts;
• contents of safety deposit boxes;
• ecurities held for safekeeping.

What Is the Maximum Insurance Protection?

Basic Protection

The maximum basic protection for eligible deposits is $100,000 (principal and interest combined) per member in each

credit union. Deposits held in different branches of the same credit union are not separately insured.

Separate Protection

DICO provides separate protection for deposits held in joint accounts, trust accounts and TFSA. All deposits in registered

savings plans are all fully insured.

· Joint Deposits

Deposits you own with someone else are insured separately from deposits in your own name, provided the records of the credit union identify the name and address of each joint owner.

The maximum insurance protection for deposits having the same joint owners at each credit union is $100,000 (held jointly, not per individual owner).

· Trust Deposits

Deposits held in trust accounts are insured separately from deposits owned by the trustee or the beneficiary. The records of the credit union must identify:

• that the deposits are held in trust;

• the name and address of the trustee(s);

• the name and address of the beneficiary(ies).

If a trust deposit has more than one beneficiary, the portion owned by each beneficiary must be identified on the credit union’s records. Each beneficiary’s portion is insured up to $100,000. Eligible deposits having both the same trustee and the same beneficiary are combined and the total is insured to a maximum of $100,000.

· Registered Savings Plans - fully insured with no limit

Deposits held in registered savings plans are separately insured from the deposits held in other accounts. All deposits made to registered savings plans are fully insured with no limit on the maximum amount. Registered Savings Plans include RRSP, LIRA RRIF, LIF, RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan).

· The TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account)

Deposits in a TFSA held at a credit union are separately insured up to $ 100,000.

TFSA become available starting in 2009.

Highlights of the TFSA:

• Available to all Canadian residents over 18
• A standard annual contribution limit of $5,000 regardless of age or income
• Any unused contribution amounts can be carried forward
• Any amount can be withdrawn at any time
• Withdrawn amounts can be re-contributed any time after the year of withdrawal
• Contributions are NOT tax deductible
• NO tax is payable on withdrawals
• Eligible investments are the same as RRSPs, and include deposits held at a credit union

Further information on the TFSA can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Links:

DICO

LIFE INSURANCE

All membership share and life insured savings accounts are life insured at no charge to the member.

For members up to 54 years of age, these accounts are 100% life insured up to $4,000. Deposits made by members 55-70 are insured in lesser proportions.

The beneficiaries are entitled to this insurance provided that the money remains on the account. Although the maximum life insured amount is $4,000, there is no limit on the amount that can be deposited.