Prospera’s amazing new app
More streamlined. Faster. More features. Automation. And, overall, less fuss.
The new-generation Interac e-Transfer technology Prospera Credit Union has incorporated into its online banking app is game changing.
“Less than 40 financial institutions across Canada are using this,” said Prospera communications manager Jessica Thiessen.
“Considering there are over 200 credit unions coast to coast and many other financial institutions, this is so significant.”
App-accessed online banking via a smartphone, tablet, laptop or good, old fashioned desktop computer has been around for a few years.
What makes the newest technology different are Autodeposit and Request Money features.
With Autodeposit, users no longer need to log in to online banking or answer any security questions.
After registering and confirming your email address, anytime someone sends you money with e-Transfer, the funds will automatically deposit into your account.
This eliminates the step of you having to accept the money and transfer it yourself into your account.
Prospera is touting Autodeposit as an incredible tool for individuals and small businesses who regularly receive payments from other individuals or businesses.
Request Money can also be used by individuals or businesses to send reminders to friends, family or clients that owe you money.
You can even attach an invoice number.
When the money is sent, it automatically deposits into your account.
Prospera has two branches in Kelowna and one each in Penticton and Vernon.
Full service
You don’t have to do all the loading and unloading when you move, unless, of course, you want to.
Space Centre Self-Storage in Kelowna has partnered with David’s Delivery to offer a full-service moving and storage solution.
A Mi-Box from Space Centre is delivered to your home or business and professional movers show up to load your contents and transport it to your new location where its unloaded by pros.
If contents are going into storage, the box is transported to Space Centre where it’s unloaded.
Wood-stove rebates
The Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program has been expanded to give more people the chance switch to cleaner models and snag a rebate.
People who get rid of their older, polluting wood stove and replace it with a cleaner-building stove are eligible for a $250 rebate.
Replacing an old model with a qualifying electric-heat-pump, gas, propane or pellet-fuelled stove can net a $400 rebate.
The province has partnered with the B.C. Lung Association to admister the program because wood-stove pollution can cause and irritate respiratory problems.
“This program has helped remove tonnes of particulates from the air, while raising awareness about the dangers of burning wood,” said Christopher Lam of the association.
“People throughout the province now understand that wood smoke can cause harm.”
Since the program started in 2008, almost 8,000 old stoves have been replaced with cleaner models and more than $3 million in rebates have handed out.
Check Gov.BC.ca for rules and how to apply for a rebate.
Flair birthday
Ultra-low-cost carrier Flair Airlines is celebrating its first anniversary with impressive growth.
Over the past year, the airline has added 114 flights per week, doubled its fleet from five to 10 jets, carried close to a million passengers, expanded to 10 Canadian cities and six sun destinations in the U.S.
“When we started the year, we were a domestic airline focused on giving Canadians a long-awaited affordable travel option,” said Flair president Jim Scott.
“Our growth into an international carrier has been met with tremendous support. Canadians can now travel to U.S. sun destinations with their loved ones, something they might not have been able to afford a year ago.
Flair started out as Kelowna based and the airline operates flights between Kelowna and Edmonton and Vancouver.
However, rapid growth prompted Flair to move its corporate offices to Edmonton, which has become the flight hub.
Housing talk
B.C. Liberal Party leader Andrew Wilkinson will talk housing affordability and taxes when he visits Kelowna on Tuesday.
Wilkinson is the guest speaker at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Coast Capri Hotel.
There may be some last-minute tickets available at KelownaChamber.org.