Libro named Business of the Year 2006 by London group

Formerly St. Willibrord Credit Union

LONDON, Ontario - The Southwestern Ontario-based Libro Financial Group which has its roots firmly in the postwar-Dutch immigrant community, recently was named Business of the Year by the London Chamber of Commerce in the large business category.

The London business organization recently presented Jack Smit, President & CEO, and Tony Strybosch, Chair of the Board of Directors, their award at the annual Business Achievement Awards gala.

Libro, the former St. Willibrord Credit Union, had a great year in 2006, according to CEO Jack Smit. The credit union’s owners approved the name change about a year ago. Libro made a record profit of $8.8 million in 2006, of which it returned a record $4.6 million to its customer-owners. Smit attributes his organization’s success to its engagement on a number of levels - with its owners, the community and especially its staff. The award is for Libro like icing on the cake, he exclaimed.

Tony Strybosch, Libro’s Chair, promised to continue to work to excel. He congratulated all Libro staff with the award.

Widening

Libro Financial Group is a full-service financial institution which operates branches between Blenheim and Wingham, and Kitchener-Waterloo and St. Thomas. Although founded specifically for Dutch and Flemish immigrants by a group headed by Roman Catholic priest Van Wezel, the organization has been open to the wider community for years. It now has 48,000 owners and more than $1.3 billion in assets under administration. Libro offers a full range of financial services along with financial coaching and advice for consumers, and farm and business owners.

Its very unique story has been well-documented in the book Roots and Branches which still is available at Vanderheide’s website wwww.godutch.com