External agencies operate separately from, and are not administered by, the department. In some cases, departmental staff offer services to them.

These agencies report to the Minister of Finance, and to the people and businesses they serve.  External agencies are also:

• Operated at a distance from the Minister. The Minister is responsible for the overall direction of the organization; but is not involved in its day-to-day operations.
• Created by a law.
• Run by a board of directors.
• Funded (in almost all cases) by charging for the services they offer. They receive little or no subsidy from government.
• Set up so the organizations can contract services, own property and in engage in legal proceedings in their own name.

The Alberta Superintendent of Financial Institutions is the liaison between the Minister of Finance and many of these external agencies.

Alberta Superintendent of Financial Institutions
Alberta Finance
Room 402, 9515 - 107 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2C3
Phone: (780) 427-5064
Fax:  (780) 422-2175

Six of the largest external agencies that report to the Minister of Finance are:

• Alberta Capital Finance Authority - ACFA - (formerly AMFC)
• ATB Financial (formerly Alberta Treasury Branches)
• Alberta Pensions Administration (APA)
• Alberta Securities Commission
• Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB)
• Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation (CUDGC)

ALBERTA CAPITAL FINANCE AUTHORITY (ACFA) (Formerly Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation)

ACFA provides local Alberta governments funding for capital projects at the lowest possible costs. For example, it provides loans to help create schools, roads, and other infrastructure projects across Alberta. ACFA has the lowest administration costs of similar organizations in Canada.

Currently, ACFA provides financing for:

• 220 towns and villages
• 68 school districts/divisions
• 43 counties
• 21 municipal and improvement districts
• 28 health authorities
• 22 irrigation and water service commissions
• 15 cities
• 11 colleges
• 3 universities
• 2 specialized municipalities
• 2 airport authorities

Visit ACFA's website to learn more about their activities.

ATB FINANCIAL

ATB Financial (formerly Alberta Treasury Branches) offers Albertans financial services at a competitive price. The institution provides a wide range of deposit and loan products, including mutual funds and telephone banking.

Over half a million Albertans make ATB Financial their first choice for deposits, personal loans, mortgages, savings and checking accounts. ATB Financial also delivers leading edge products to more than 20,000 business customers.

ATB Financial provides financial services to Albertans through a network of 145 branches, 132 agencies, a 180-seat Customer Contact Centre and 226 automated banking machines (ABMs) in 240 communities throughout Alberta.

Visit the ATB Financial website to learn more about the corporation's activities.

ALBERTA PENSIONS ADMINISTRATION (APA)

Alberta Pensions Administration (APA) is responsible for administering seven statutory pension plans under the direction of four pension boards and the Government of Alberta, as well as two supplementary plans.

APA administers the following pension plans:

• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Members of the Legislative Assembly
  Pension Plan (Closed 1989)
• Provincial Judges and Masters in Chambers
  Pension Plan
• Public Service Management (Closed Membership) Pension Plan (PSM(CC)PP)
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP)

The Corporation serves 464 employers, 136,000 active plan members, 52,000 pensioners and 27,000 members who have chosen to defer their benefits.

Visit APA's website for more information.

ALBERTA SECURITIES COMMISSION

The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) regulates the capital market in Alberta and balances the interests of investors, issuers and persons registered to sell securities. It administers the Alberta Securities Act, which facilitates a fair and efficient capital market. The securities regulatory system is based on two fundamental principles:

• To provide investors with full, true and plain disclosure so that they can make informed investment decisions.
• Confidence in the integrity of the capital market must be maintained. Confidence in the capital market stems partly from confidence in the securities regulatory system. ASC plays a key role in maintaining confidence in the capital market in Alberta.

Visit the ASC website to learn more about the commission's activities.

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE RATE BOARD (AIRB)

The new Automobile Insurance Rate Board is a key component of the reforms to the auto insurance system.

The mandate of the board is to set premiums for basic coverage, monitor premiums for optional coverage and review and approve rating programs for new insurers entering the Alberta market.

The new board will annually set the maximum premiums for basic coverage that all insurers can charge.

Visit AIRB's website for more information.

CREDIT UNION DEPOSIT GUARANTEE CORPORATION (CUDGC)

The credit union system in Alberta is comprised of over 67 credit unions that operate 196 branches in 124 communities throughout the province. CUDGC guarantees deposits held with credit unions in Alberta. That means if, for some reason, a credit union cannot return a customer's deposit, CUDGC ensures repayment of that deposit.

As well, CUDGC maintains the unclaimed deposits of people who cannot be located by the credit union.

CUDGC also assists, advises and, on occasion, directs credit unions to ensure that credit unions use sound business practices.

CUDGC monitors and regulates credit union performance by conducting examinations and working closely with credit unions on improving the regulatory environment of the credit union system. It also provides loan review and approval for certain credit union loans.

Visit the CUDGC website for more information.