Credit union leaders deliver medical supplies to the Ukrainian Consul. From left to right: Rafal Matusiak, president of the National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions, Poland; Brian Branch, retired president of the World Council of Credit Unions; Bruce Foulke, president/CEO of American Heritage Credit Union; and Bartosz Cichocki, Polish ambassador to Ukraine.
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American Heritage CEO supports Ukrainian CUs
A pair of longtime credit union leaders are spending the week in Europe supporting Ukrainian refugees and credit unions.
Bruce Foulke, president/CEO of $3.6 billion asset American Heritage Credit Union in Philadelphia, traveled to Europe this week with Dr. Brian Branch, retired president/CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions. During the humanitarian trip, Foulke and Branch will meet with credit union leaders from Poland and Ukraine and deliver necessities and first-aid supplies to Ukrainian refugees.
“The events unfolding in Eastern Europe are devastating and horrific,” Foulke says. “Our credit union family includes many associates, members, and community partners who are Ukrainian natives or of Ukrainian descent, and American Heritage has a long history of stepping up when our global or local community needs our assistance.”
Foulke and Branch are meeting with the National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions, Poland, which represents Polish credit unions serving more than 2.5 million members. They’re providing counsel and aid in the hopes that their credit union colleagues can resume operations and offer members economic assistance.
“Credit unions have served as the lifeblood of the Ukrainian economy since the country’s independence, and right now they desperately need both our prayers as well as our financial support,” Foulke says. “Dr. Branch and I are working with credit union movement partners in Eastern Europe to ensure they have the supplies, systems, and support so they can help rebuild the Ukrainian economy as soon as it is viable to do so.”
American Heritage associates also collected medical supplies and other goods, including diapers, baby formula, and food, to donate to the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Inc (UNWLA). UNWLA will ship the items directly to organizations and families in Eastern Europe.
“Everyone at American Heritage is doing their part to help our fellow global citizens," Foulke says. "Credit unions are about people helping people, and I am very proud and grateful that our associates are so generous in this time of need.”
Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2023 issue features the 2023 Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA-League advocacy priorities, board leadership, the impact of financial well-being efforts, fee-related compliance issues, predictions for the year ahead, and more.
