. "0"^^ . "2013-10-07T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "5"^^ . "Parama is the best kept secret in banking in Toronto!!\n\nWhy would you continue banking with one of the big banks when you can get all this from Parama for free, on a clear conscience? It's a small, community based credit union, and of course you have a say in how it's run. And also you get returned a share of the profits! In 2013, they returned something like $250,000 to their members.\n\nI originally signed up to this bank because I saw a sign that said they offer free chequing while passing by on the Bloor night bus. I think one of the reasons that this place is a secret is because the hundreds of thousands of people passing underneath it every day don't see this sign. Here are some of the things you get for free that you don't get anywhere else:\n\n-Free certified cheques and Money Orders (!)\n-Free regular cheques\n-Free pretty much everything else!\n-Teller service, if you want it\n-Free use of The Exchange ATMs across the country; you probably have one around the corner and you don't even know it yet...\n-Only $2 to use Mastercard ATMs in any other country in the world - that's cheaper than they advertise!\n\nPotential barriers: \n\n-Both branches are in Etobicoke along the Bloor subway line. I live in Vancouver now, though, and that hasn't really stopped me from enjoying their services.\n-You have to buy a $40 share to join. But you would get the money back if you wanted to leave."^^ . "7"^^ . . .