Long before Betty Friedan and the feminist movement began, Vancity decided to lend to women without a co-signer. Back then, even if a woman had an income, banks deemed it too unstable because she was expected quit work to have children and have an at-home career. Loans required a man – any man – to be a co-signer. Pioneering Vancity manager Don Bentley pushed to recognize all members as equals, regardless of gender.