The Ukrainian American Credit Union Association (UACUA) held its 2026 Annual Conference at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, New York, from June 11 to June 13. This highly anticipated gathering brought together Ukrainian American credit union leaders, industry experts, and advocates to discuss emerging financial issues, strengthen collaboration, and reaffirm support for Ukraine. The conference also welcomed a delegation from Toronto‑based Ukrainian Credit Union Ltd., along with two young professionals representing Ukraine’s credit union sector.
The event opened on Thursday, June 11, with a friendly golf outing at Stone Dock Golf Course. The day concluded with a hospitality reception on Soyuzivka’s Tiki Deck, where attendees enjoyed refreshments and a Ukrainian‑style buffet while reconnecting with colleagues and friends.
Friday’s program began with remarks from Anthony Demangone, Chief Membership and Engagement Officer for America’s Credit Unions, the national trade association for U.S. credit unions. Mr. Demangone provided a comprehensive overview of current legislative, regulatory, and economic developments affecting credit unions. The morning continued with two sessions on artificial intelligence, presented by Karan Kashyap of POSH Inc. and Amy Travers of Illuma Labs, who highlighted AI‑driven tools for customer service, member authentication, and operational efficiency. After a midday lunch break, participants heard from Caroline Vanrenkamp of the Filene Research Institute, who delivered an insightful presentation titled “Stablecoin and the Future of Digital Payments.”
The conference also had the honor of hosting two representatives of Ukraine’s credit union movement: Maria Slotulo, an attorney with the Boikivshchyna Credit Union in Drohobych, and Oksana Servetnyk, an accountant with the Selfreliance Credit Union in Buchach. They provided an overview of the current landscape of Ukrainian credit unions. Their visit to the United States—including tours of UACUA member credit unions in the Northeast—is supported by a project of the World Council of Ukrainian Cooperatives. The day concluded with a forward‑looking roundtable discussion exploring the question of what Ukrainian American credit unions will look like in the year 2046, inviting participants to consider the technological, demographic, and mission‑driven changes that will shape the movement’s future.
Friday evening’s dinner—generously underwritten by Selfreliance Financial Federal Credit Union—featured a four‑course, wine‑paired feast prepared by Soyuzivka’s award‑winning resident chef, Andriy Sonevytsky. The evening also included a special recognition ceremony honoring three credit unions celebrating milestone anniversaries: the 60th anniversary of Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, and the 75th anniversaries of Selfreliance (Chicago) Federal Credit Union and Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union. Throughout their histories, all three institutions have distinguished themselves through exceptional service to their members and steadfast financial support for Ukrainian diaspora organizations.
The UACUA’s Annual Meeting was held on Saturday morning, June 13, with the presidium chaired by Andrij Burchak of SUMA Federal Credit Union. UACUA Board Chairman Anatoli Murha reviewed key highlights of the Association’s projects and activities over the past year. As of the first quarter of 2026, UACUA’s nine member credit unions serve 136,811 members, with $4.6 billion in assets, a $3.0 billion loan portfolio, and $3.9 billion in member shares. Member credit unions currently operate 61 branches in 16 states, with plans to expand to 63 branches in 17 states.
The Association also recognized several credit unions that have opened or announced plans to open new locations since the last annual meeting, including SUMA Federal Credit Union’s new branches in Jacksonville, Florida, and Houston, Texas; Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union’s branch in Alpharetta, Georgia; Ukrainian Federal Credit Union’s location in Hallandale Beach, Florida; and Selfreliance Federal Credit Union’s new branch in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Also noteworthy was the successful merger of Self Reliance NY Federal Credit Union and Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union of Philadelphia, completed on October 1, 2025, forming Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union.
Regarding UACUA Board of Directors elections, Mr. Murha was re‑elected as UACUA Chairman, and Andrij Horbachevsky was reappointed as Executive Director. The 2026–2027 Board of Directors includes Anatoli Murha of Self Reliance Financial FCU as Chairman; Vitalij Kutnyy of Selfreliance FCU as Vice Chairman; George Oliarnyk of NOVA FCU as Secretary; and directors Andrij Burchak of SUMA FCU, Oleh Lebedko of Ukrainian FCU, Stepan Kaczurak of Ukrainian National FCU, and Dr. Olena Danyluk of Ukrainian Selfreliance Michigan FCU. Representatives from Cleveland Selfreliance FCU and Selfreliance of Western Pennsylvania will be determined.
Plans are underway to hold the 2027 UACUA Conference in Warren, Michigan, hosted by Ukrainian Selfreliance Michigan FCU, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. More information about the UACUA can be found on the Association’s website at uacua.com.