Community Financial Centre
Building commerce through the power of community. That's money doing more™
Small businesses, start-ups, non-profits, co-ops and social enterprises will appreciate the specialized, personalized support provided by ACU’s Community Financial Centre (CFC). Our specialized team understands the challenges faced in accessing appropriate capital necessary to provide affordable housing and build stronger communities. We offer more than financial expertise and tools; we provide creative financing and the opportunity to partner with people who are as committed to your success as you are. Sometimes, the nature of this work requires creative problem solving and an unconventional approach.
We offer:
- Full business banking services
- Commercial mortgages
- Construction financing
- Bridge financing term loans
- Operating lines of credit
- Letters of credit
- Advice and counselling
- Start up or growth financing options
- Strategic grants for Building Condition Reports Partnership with Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF) and Manitoba Non Profit Housing Association
- Creditor insurance solutions

Meet our team

Nigel R. Mohammed
Director, Community Financial Centre & Small Business Distribution

Bill Dinsdale
Senior Commercial Account Manager - Not for Profit Specialist

Mihaela Pirlog
Senior Commercial Account Manager - Not for Profit Specialist

Charity Allen
Commercial Account Manager - Small Business Specialist

Glorife Dela Cruz
Commercial Account Manager - Small Business Specialist

Palwinder Singh
Commercial Account Manager - Small Business Specialist
I’m Nigel Mohammed. I oversee a team of Specialists providing creative financing to support small businesses, non-profits, co-operatives and social enterprises. I began my banking career with a chartered bank in 1987 while pursuing a degree in Business at University of MB. I left banking and Canada in the early 90’s to work in the international community within non-profit sector for several years before returning to my banking roots, this time with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions. After many years in the Easter Caribbean within the non-profit and financial cooperative sectors across the region, I returned to Canada, joined the ACU team in 2001 and have never looked back! The focus of my work today is delivering banking services in a way that propels social impact, shapes our local economy and builds sustainable communities. I love family gatherings and fishing with my daughters…even on rainy days!
Education and Credentials:
International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE) – WOCCU
CanadaDE1 Graduate –Saint Mary's University
Fellow with the Credit Union Institute of Canada – CUIC Canada
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification – Purdue University
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) University of Manitoba
Reach me at:
204.258.3321
nmohammed@acu.ca
I’m Bill Dinsdale. My role in the ACU Community Financial Centre (CFC) is to assist non-profits, co-operatives, and social enterprises through financing and account management. I specialize in non-profit housing. I’ve been with ACU for over 15 years, starting out as a teller and working my way up to Senior Community Account Manager. Prior to this, I was a head golf professional. I believe in integrity, co-operation, accountability, diversity and inclusion. ACU has a strong focus on affordable housing and poverty reduction; issues that are important to me. On my own time, I love to travel and learn about different cultures. I love the outdoors, camping, and gardening with a special affinity for Bonsai trees. I also enjoy photography, and of course… golf.
Education and Credentials:
Accredited Business Lender – Credit Union Institute of Canada and Dalhousie University
Certificate of Achievement Financial Counselling – Institute of Canadian Bankers
Business Administration – General Management Option, Co-operative Education, Camosun College, Victoria, BC
Certificate in Professional Golf Management – Camosun College, Victoria, BC
Reach me at:
204.258.3378
bdinsdale@acu.ca
I’m Mihaela Pirlog. Since 2009, I’ve been working in the ACU Community Financial Centre (CFC) dealing almost exclusively with not for profit organizations, co-operatives and small businesses. I have over 25 years of progressive commercial lending experience in the financial industry in Canada and Romania, and I’ve been working in the credit union system since 2001. My background is in commercial lending with experience in the areas of business plan assessment, loan origination, risk mitigation and loan performance monitoring. Being honest and treating people with respect are the most important things to me. I grew up in a household where helping others was something that my parents were very driven by. Education was a key factor while loving and cherishing your family was fundamental. I see these same core values at ACU every day. On my own time, I enjoy traveling, trying new foods, discovering new cultures, and seeing new places. I like being active and spending time outside in nature.
Education and Credentials:
Master’s Degree in Engineering
Accredited Business Lender with CUIC
If you work with a small business, a non-profit or community organization, let’s see what we can do together.
Reach me at:
204.258.3325
mpirlog@acu.ca
I’m Charity Allen. I’ve been in the financial service industry since 2008 and came to ACU in the merger with Entegra Credit Union. Helping members achieve their goals while giving back to the community is very important to me. As part of the Community Financial Centre, I provide advice and financial services to non-profit organizations, co-operatives, social enterprises and a variety of local small businesses. Outside work, I’m a bit of a foodie, so I enjoy supporting Winnipeg’s vibrant restaurant scene. I like traveling, spending time with family and friends, and walking my dog actively.
Education and Credentials:
Working towards Commercial Lending Accreditation from Dalhousie University
If you’re in the non-profit sector and looking for financial guidance, let’s grab a coffee sometime.
Reach me at:
204.949.7832
callen@acu.ca
Hi, I’m Glorife. My speciality as a Commercial Account Manager is in providing financing and advice to small and growing businesses.
I love small business! I love it because I am closer to the owner to help advise them and provide them with resources they need, not only to be a profitable business, but to be sustainable.
This is the second time my career has brought me to ACU. After working at the retail level, I was a Financial Advisor when I left ACU in 2014. Now, after eight years, I’ve returned in a role that I aspired to be in when I left. Through a wide variety of experience — as a Senior Account Manager at Business Development Bank Canada and a Small Business Account Manager at a major bank — I have raised my game in having an impact on the success of entrepreneurs through financing solutions and advisory services. I am very excited to be part of an expanding small business team at ACU.
ACU’s values, where we put people before profit, resonate with me on both a personal and professional level. Outside of my role with ACU working with business owners, I sit on a volunteer board as the Director of Finance for the Manitoba Filipino Business Council, the prime community resource hub for Filipino businesses and professionals. It’s “By Filipinos, for all Manitobans.” I am a graduate of Red River College with a major in marketing.
I like to be active. In addition to being a mother other of three, I play piano and sing in my church’s band, play recreational soccer, and am a gym rat. I love all ethic cuisine, and I greet each day as an opportunity to be a better person than I was yesterday.
Reach me at:
Work: 204.258.3150
Mobile: 431.887.1179
gdelacruz@acu.ca
Hello. I am Palwinder Singh, Commercial Account Manager and Small Business Specialist in the Community Financial Centre at ACU.
Prior to my arrival at ACU, I worked for five years in international banking and finance experience at the management level at a state-owned, public sector bank in India. The focus of my work was assessing the financial health of small businesses, and then providing advice to guide their success.
At work, my passion is to use my knowledge and experience to build stronger communities. This is why I chose ACU — and the Community Financial Centre team, in particular — as the place where I wanted to continue my career.
I have a Certificate in Commercial Credit, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology, Computer Science & Engineering. I am fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
When not advising entrepreneurs on creative financing solutions, I enjoy cooking North Indian dishes for my wife, Monika, which reminds us of the importance of culture and family!
Reach me at:
Work:204.258-3348
Mobile:204.228.0714
psingh@acu.ca
Featured advice and stories

Perseverance pays off for this local entrepreneur

Winnipeg’s tasty new ice cream shop could be instantly iconic

Rising together with Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company
Rising together with Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company