Central 1 chief economist Helmut Pastrick set to retire

VANCOUVER — Central 1 chief economist Helmut Pastrick is retiring after 23 years with the firm.

Pastrick joined Credit Union Central of BC in 1997 after it was created from the merger of B.C. and Ontario Central following an extensive career with Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation. Pastrick led Central 1’s economic department, which provided economic advisories and forecasting to the B.C. and Ontario credit union system.

Pastrick was also an original member of the B.C. government’s Economic Forecast Council, a group of economists “appointed to provide the provincial government with an unbiased assessment of the economy,” a Central 1 release stated.

“Helmut’s expertise has helped to increase the credit union system’s reputation and credibility among the financial and business community across Canada. Most recently, Helmut was named to the Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability convened by the federal and B.C. governments,” the release added.

“Central 1 would like to thank Helmut for all his years of service and for enhancing the credit union system across the country — among our peers and within the community,” the release stated. “His highly methodical approach to economic analysis and research methods and focus on mentoring has raised the bar of the Central 1 economics department and contributed to the success of the team.”