‘It feels like a family I belong to’

Just like every newcomer’s decision to come to Canada is unique and personal, so too are their dreams once they arrive. In this series, Landed, we highlight how CIBC is helping to make a difference in the lives of four newcomers, assisting them to attain their goal of succeeding in their new home. This time, we meet James, who, with his wife, Faith, arrived in Canada from Nigeria with a wallet full of U.S. dollars they could not use. They walked into a CIBC to exchange their money and walked out feeling like part of a family.
“When we arrived in Canada from Nigeria in June 2022, we brought U.S. dollars with us. We thought that we could spend them here. On our first day we went to get a few things at a dollar store, and the cashier looked at us in a funny way when we tried to pay. Like, ‘What is this?’ We didn’t do our research.
“When we walked into the nearest CIBC banking centre, it was with the mindset that we were only there to exchange money. But hearing our story, Sashi, an advisor, brought us into her office and sat down with us. It was all about looking out for our wellbeing; asking where we were coming from, how we were doing and what would work best for us.
“We went from just trying to exchange money to learning more about banking in Canada. We opened our accounts that day. Registered our credit cards that day. It was not something we had planned to do. We were going to get settled first, see some of the city and get a better understanding of the landscape before doing it. Meeting someone like that was nice. To be an immigrant and to come to a place like Canada is stressful. We felt like we were on our own. To meet someone who was able to take the time to speak with us was a warm and calming experience. It made me grateful.
“Finding our advisor and CIBC have been a blessing for us. It was only our first full day in Canada and Sashi also hooked us up with a realtor who was able to help us find a place. She will reach out and tell us what the next financial step is. She helped us open a RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan)
for our two young sons, and how we should plan for the future. She sits us down, tells us all the options and guides us. She then lets us decide. She does not make us choose anything.
“In Nigeria, we have banks but mostly it is all done digitally. You don’t meet the people at the bank unless you have an issue. Here it is more personal, it is more humane. It is less about banking and more about living and planning your life.
“Recently, I lost my job. The last time I saw my advisor she started by asking, ‘How am I doing? Have you gotten a job?’ I am sure I am not her only customer so for her to have that understanding, and to know those details about us, and to ask us, is beautiful. I feel seen, I feel cared for. It feels like a family I belong to.”