Five waves of COVID-19, the re-emergence of restrictions, and the on and off nature of the pandemic tested Albertans’ resilience at a whole new level. Together we learned that recovery doesn’t always happen at our pace.

Despite this, ATB Financial remained focused on our outcomes of ensuring returns to our Shareholder—the Government of Alberta—and making investments that would elevate the social and economic well-being of Albertans. We leaned into technology and digitization to identify innovative ways of working and communicating with Albertans. We honed our ability to anticipate client needs, solidifying our reputation as a trusted advisory engine. We helped businesses leverage opportunities in an ever-changing economy and supported them as they carved out new niche markets for themselves. We leaned into ESG in a uniquely Alberta and ATB way, which included showing up in our communities, supplying loans across our province and providing financial support as Alberta’s bank.

While I’m fascinated by how the pandemic accelerated connectivity across the globe, it forced us to do things differently, and this has required patience from us all. The pandemic tested our strength and resilience as a province in more ways than we could have imagined, but a new fiscal year is upon us and it brings definite signs of promise. ATB is standing strong and will continue to be here as a stable influence to support Albertans and their businesses. As a supplier of capital and an engine of expertise that provides insight into Alberta’s diverse industries, we will continue finding innovative ways to transform the banking experience for all Albertans while making courageous investments that build upon our future.

With hope and optimism in the air, I’d like to take a moment to thank ATB Financial’s Board of Directors for encouraging us to hold on to the unshakable belief that recovery was on the way. I am proud of the way this seasoned group of individuals provided oversight while ensuring we were not only living up to ATB’s mandate of generating returns and investing in the future growth of Alberta, but also exceeding it. The terms of two directors, Diane Brickner and Patrick Lor, come to an end this year—I’d like to extend a special thanks to them both for the excellent insights they provided. I’d also like to thank ATB’s Strategic Leadership Team and all ATB team members for navigating unimaginable challenges under the direction of President and CEO Curtis Stange. Finally, I’d like to thank our dearly departed colleague and former Board Chair, Brian Hesje, whom we said goodbye to this year. He made an incredible impact on ATB and me personally.

It’s been a challenging year—no question—but as hard of a year as it was, it’s been an absolute honour to be part of this organization and work alongside this incredible team. It’s taken an unbelievable amount of patience to push through the last 12 months, but the promise of a better year is upon us. It only seems impossible until it’s done—and ATB exists to make it possible.