The FCO model is based upon Citizen Utility Boards (CUBs) which have been established in four states in the U.S.  In these states, all of the utilities were required to enclose a one-page pamphlet in their billing envelopes inviting people to join the CUB.  About five percent of consumers usually join the CUB at a $40 annual membership fee.  CUBs are independent, broad-based watchdog groups that are run democratically by their members and represent consumers' interests in the marketplace.  For example, in Illinois the CUB has 150,000 members, a $1.5 million annual budget, and has saved consumers about $9 billion since 1983 by opposing rate hikes by utilities.

According to a national survey of Canadians, 64% of Canadians support the creation of the FCO using the pamphlet method.

As well, the Task Force on the Future of the Canadian Financial Services Sector recommended in its September 1998 Report that the federal government create an FCO using the pamphlet method (See Recommendation #56(b) on page 208 of the Report).  The House of Commons Finance Committee, and Senate Banking Committee, endorsed the Task Force recommendation in their December 1998 reports.

In addition, a national coalition made up of 100 citizen groups with a total membership of 3.5 million Canadians supports the creation of the FCO.

HOW WILL THE FCO BE SET UP AND HOW WILL IT WORK?
To set up the FCO, the federal government must require federally-regulated financial institutions (banks, trusts and insurance companies and, working with each provincial government, mutual fund companies and credit unions) to send a pamphlet with their bank statements, credit card bills and insurance premium statements to their 20 million customers. 

Alternatively, financial institutions could volunteer to enclose the pamphlet, and as long as enough large institutions volunteered enough financial consumers would receive the pamphlet to make the FCO viable.

The pamphlet will describe the FCO and invite financial consumers to join at a nominal annual membership fee ($40 -- with a lower fee for people with low incomes).  The government can either lend or grant to the FCO the funds needed to print the first pamphlet.  After the first flyer, however, the FCO will pay all the costs of the pamphlet.  As a result, the FCO can be set up at little or no cost to government or the financial institutions.

As well, the government can require financial institutions to hand out the pamphlet to customers when they come in do banking at a branch or teller.

If only five percent of Canadian bank and insurance customers join the FCO, it will have one million members and a $40 million annual budget.  With these resources and large membership base, the FCO will be strong enough to counter the power of banks, trusts and insurance companies.

The FCO will be a democratic organization, controlled by its members through the election of regional delegates and the FCO's board of directors.  The board will hire the FCO's professional staff and determine the group's policies.

WHAT WILL THE FCO DO?
The FCO will hire economists, experts, organizers, lobbyists and attorneys to represent consumers.

The FCO will also educate consumers through price surveys, public forums, shopping guides and various other publications.

WHY IS THE FCO NEEDED IN CANADA?
In the past 20 years, the big five Canadian banks have obtained control of a majority of total financial institution assets, deposits, consumer credit, and mortgage loans in Canada, while reaping record profits.  Over the same period, many trust companies and insurance companies have failed and have been bailed out by the government with taxpayers' money.
   
There have been ongoing complaints about service charges, credit card interest rates, misleading information and irresponsible lending by the banks.  In addition, many groups representing women, visible minorities and people with low incomes have documented discrimination by financial institutions in providing loans and other financial services.
   
Consumers are an important part of Canada's financial system, but because of lack of resources their voice is not strong enough to be heard by governments, especially given the enormous resources and strength of the banking lobby.  The FCO will give act as an umbrella group to bring together consumers and existing consumer groups an organized voice for their interests on financial services issues in the marketplace.  
   
With financial institutions offering up to 500 products and services, consumers often lack the information needed to compare prices among products.  The FCO will also provide this information, encouraging competition in the marketplace and better service for all financial consumers.