About Us

First Canadian Moneytree store at the present date.

Our Story

On Halloween night in 1983, brothers Dennis and Dave Bassford and Dave’s wife, Sara, opened the first Moneytree Branch, still located at its original site, in Renton, Washington. Twenty-seven years later the Bassfords proudly opened their first Canadian Branch in Abbotsford, British Columbia. That location was quickly followed by four additional Branches in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver.

The Moneytree story started from humble beginnings and our success has been built through hard work, happy customers, a great Team and a little bit of luck. When the Bassfords first started planning to open their own cheque cashing business over 35 years ago, they spent months researching, reaching out to banks and other vendors and finding their first location. They put a lot of planning into creating a welcoming storefront. They also wanted to establish their business as an industry innovator — maintaining the status quo wasn’t going to work.

Founders Dennis and Dave Bassford standing with signs reading 'checks cashed' with arrows pointing to a 1983 Chevy.

A gorilla statue standing next to a white car in a parking lot.

A gorilla statue with sunglasses and a sign around its neck, reading 'we cash tax refund checks'.

The Bassfords dreamed of creating not only a successful business, but one of which they could be proud. “Doing the right thing was part of how we were raised,” said Dave. “Doing the right thing for our customers and Team Members drives all of our business decisions. We got to make the decisions about how we would treat our customers and one another.”

As the business grew, it was important to the Bassfords to treat people fairly, with kindness and respect and to share their good fortune when possible. They recruited Team Members who shared their values and vision. And their Team grew.

Some things have changed since that Halloween night in 1983 but the heart of what we do and who we are hasn’t changed. Our Mission Statement and our values still guide us, “Treating others — our customers, our Team and our communities — the way we would like to be treated.”

At Moneytree, our Mission is to be the best provider of financial services by exceeding our customers' expectations, creating a professional work environment and making a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work.

We genuinely want to make a difference. Our smiles are real and our caring is real. Nothing brings us more joy than giving back to the communities in which we live and work. That’s why for the last 35+ years we have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars and spent many hours supporting and volunteering with charitable organizations. We focus our support on organizations that devote their efforts to children and families, first responders, animal welfare and medical research.

Philanthropy

Besides exceeding our customers' expectations, nothing brings us more joy than giving back to the communities in which we live and work. It’s part of our Mission.