“Service is Not a Duty but a Way of Life.”
BY SURBHI GOGIA
You would not expect to see a man in a suit cleaning a beach. Yet for Kuldip Singh Sidhu, Regional Manager of Khalsa Credit Union, community service and professional duty are inextricably linked. After a clean-up at White Rock Beach, he walked straight into his branch office in the same suit to meet clients and give an interview—seamlessly moving from shoreline to boardroom.
That transition reflects his philosophy: there is no boundary between banking and serving people. “I am a people’s person, and that is what drew me towards banking,” he says. “Banking is not just about dry balance sheets, but about building relationships and learning from every client—whether a doctor, lawyer, or tradesperson.”
This approach has not only shaped his leadership but also helped him integrate into Canada’s diverse society.
Born in Dhuri, in Punjab’s Sangroor district, Sidhu describes himself as a people’s person from childhood—an ideal trait for a banker. After working as a branch manager at the Bank of Punjab, he migrated to Canada with a degree in economics and management, determined to rebuild his career. A father of two daughters (one an Architect and the other a physiotherapist) and one son (a biomedical engineer), Sidhu likes hiking and playing badminton.
Like many newcomers, he had to start from scratch. For 15 days, he worked at a gas station in Surrey. While many see this as a setback, Sidhu, who was well prepared for hard work, took it as an opportunity to learn about Canadian work culture and values. “Those two weeks taught me lessons I will never forget,” he recalls. “People here value hard work, and they respect your efforts no matter the job. That experience shaped how I approached everything that came after.”
Soon, luck and preparation met opportunity. Sidhu landed a role at ICICI Bank’s new branch on Scott Road. His journey into Canadian banking had begun.
In 2010, Sidhu expanded his expertise by joining an investment group and later completed an associate degree at the Credit Union Institute of Canada, an affiliated institution of Dalhousie University. The move to the credit union system marked a turning point. “In a bank, you are a customer. In a credit union, you are a member—a part of the system,” he says. “It is a democratic process where profits return to the members themselves.”
Sidhu began his journey with Khalsa Credit Union as a community manager in 2011, rising through the ranks to become a regional manager. With more than 20,000 members and six branches across Metro Vancouver and Victoria, Khalsa Credit Union has been serving thousands of Indo-Canadian families for over 20 years.
In both his past role as community manager and his current role as regional manager, Sidhu serves clients not only as a banker but also as an educator. He regularly holds seminars to equip new immigrants and students with the financial tools they need to manage debt, build credit, and safeguard their financial future. For him, financial literacy is the foundation of a strong community. “When people are informed, they make better decisions,” he says, stressing that awareness helps families avoid costly mistakes, plan for the unexpected, and create long-term stability.
In today’s economic climate, with inflation rising and mortgage rates doubling from their lows five years ago, Sidhu’s leadership is grounded in practical financial discipline. His advice to families is both time-tested and straightforward, based on an old saying: Spread your wings according to your sheet. In other words, spend within your means and always save for a rainy day. With inflation and rising mortgage rates squeezing households, Sidhu emphasizes the importance of careful planning.
“Know your fixed costs like mortgage and insurance, and then manage the variable ones—dining out, shopping, and entertainment. It’s not about cutting joy, but about balance.”
During these 14 years of his journey, Sidhu has also seen the transformation technology has brought to finance. “There was a time when people resisted online banking,” he recalls. “Now, everything is on your phone. While the younger generation has adopted technology, middle-aged clients, in particular, often prefer face-to-face conversations. That personal touch is important. People want someone who listens, not just a machine that processes transactions.” This balance between modern tools and traditional trust, in his view, is the essence of banking.
Beyond finance, Sidhu extends his leadership into broader community initiatives. Under his leadership, Khalsa Credit Union has partnered with organizations such as Guru Nanak Food Bank, KidsPlay Foundation, and Guru Nanak Free Kitchen, expanding its reach beyond finance to include food security, youth mentorship, and social support.
The credit union sponsors the Sikh Games Canada, the BC Tigers, and several hockey and golf tournaments, as well as scholarships for the arts, academics, and athletics.
Outside of banking, Sidhu serves on Surrey’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Committee, contributing to projects such as new recreation centres and sports facilities. He also rolls up his sleeves for Khalsa Credit Union’s annual tree planting drives and its beach clean-ups in White Rock.
Whether in the office, at a community event, or out on the streets, Sidhu carries the same belief: service is not a duty, but a way of life. “Banking gives me the platform to help people with their finances. But real satisfaction comes when you can guide, uplift, and stand with your community.”
