Our Vision
To merit the confidence of our community as their first choice for financial services.

Our Mission
We are dedicated to provide a full range of financial services based on co-operative principles for the well being of our members and the community.

Our Promise
We are committed to helping one another by providing high quality, cost-effective products and services in a professional confidential manner with courtesy, respect and teamwork.

Our History
OVER FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY

Between the two world wars, Ukrainian immigrants to Canada began to establish cooperatives in order to help each other. With this same spirit, and in order to create a better future for themselves in their newly adopted country, the Ukrainian community of St. Catharines decided to form the Ukrainian (St. Catharines) Credit Union. A formal request was made to the provincial government in Toronto to grant a charter. On March 27, 1946, Charter 283 was granted, officially incorporating Ukrainian (St Catharines) Credit Union Ltd.

The first annual meeting was held on April 15, 1946 at the UNF Hall. The first Board of Directors elected at that meeting consisted of: Nestor Duda, President; William Wowk, Vice-president; Mary Borowsky, Secretary-Treasurer, and members Thomas Maksymec and Gregory Soroka. Elected to the Credit Committee were Mykola Mota, Lena Cybulak and Gregory Wasylyshyn. William Dmyterko, Annie Wlasiy and Stephan Kamianecky formed the Supervisory Committee. All of these individuals worked voluntarily, receiving no pay.

The credit union was open for business each Monday evening from 8:30 to 9:30. The Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee met monthly. Interest rates were set at 2% for deposits, 6% for personal loans and 4% for mortgage loans. At the end of the first year of operation, the Credit Union had 42 members and assets of $1,588.

The cooperative movement was widespread in Ukraine and therefore it was only natural that this continue in Canada. The first Ukrainian cooperative was established in 1929 in Vegreville, followed in 1935 by cooperatives in Smokey Lake and Toronto, quickly spreading throughout the rest of the country.

In 1947, our credit union joined the Niagara Regional Credit Union Council and the Kalyna Credit Union of Winnipeg. With a payment of 50 cents for each member, the credit union also joined the Ontario Credit Union League. At the end of its second year of operation, the credit union had 64 members with assets of $4,258. This was followed in 1948 with 106 members and assets of $18,500.

The growth of the credit union can be attributed to the good will of the members and to the diligent efforts and hard work, without pay, of the directors, committees and employees. As well as those mentioned above, others made significant contributions, such as Mrs. Sophie Perchyshyn and Mr. John Neprily. Mr. John Neprily worked as a teller and assistant manager and later was the secretary to the Board of Directors for 25 years. Perhaps the single greatest influence over the growth and prosperity of the credit union came from Mr. Stephan Monchak who served continuously from 1948 to 1976, as director, secretary, treasurer and manager. He was diligent, knowledgeable and both the members and the board relied on his advice and recommendations. Although too numerous to mention everyone, many other volunteers contributed their time and effort as directors, committee members and staff. Among these were Mr. Taras Haras, Mr. Stephan Kornecky and Mr. Peter Diakow, the longest serving president who played a significant role in the prosperity of the Credit Union.

Throughout the years, the Ukrainian (St. Catharines) Credit Union has supported various Ukrainian organizations, churches and cultural groups here in St. Catharines, as well as throughout Canada, the United States and since its independence, Ukraine. Recognizing the importance of our youth, priority is given to helping various cultural and sports groups and schools, including bursaries to high school graduates continuing their education.

From its modest beginnings in 1946, the credit union continued to grow and prosper, serving the entire Niagara peninsula. In 1973, the credit union achieved total assets of $1,000,000 and provided a full range of financial products and services to its members.

In 1981, the 35th Anniversary was celebrated under the direction of the Organizing Committee consisting of Stephen Kornecky, Peter Diakow and Jerry Halchuk. The main speaker at the banquet was the head of the Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions, Mr. William Sytnyk.

With the continued growth in both members and services, the Board realized that it was necessary to consider a building of its own in order to prepare for the future. After many meetings and much discussion, a lot was purchased at 118 Niagara Street. On March 2, 1985, a Building Committee was formed under the capable leadership of Taras Haras, consisting of Theodore Tkachenko, Stephen Kornecky, Peter Diakow and Marvin Kuchar. The architectural firm of Tymoshuk and Tymoshuk of Hamilton was engaged to draw up plans for a 3000 square foot one-level building. After tendering, the construction contract was awarded to Bromac Construction.

The dream of having our own building was realized on December 16, 1985, when the Ukrainian (St. Catharines) Credit Union first opened the doors of its newly constructed offices for business. The Grand Opening Celebration was held Sunday, February 2, 1986 with the official ribbon-cutting performed by the Mayor of St. Catharines, Joe McCaffery, followed by the blessing of the building by V. Rev. Dr. Mykola Komar and Rev. Gregory Mielnyk. Mr. Michael Rebryk, President of the Ukrainian Toronto Credit Union, gave the main address. This was followed by greetings from the Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, delivered by Joe Reed and greetings from the Premier of Ontario, David Peterson, delivered by Jim Bradley.

With the new building came the opportunity to expand the hours of service for our members. Shortly after, the installation of a new computer system allowed an addition range of financial products and services to be introduced, comparable to those of any financial institution. Special accounts for children and special no-cost services for seniors were also implemented. At the end of 1995, the membership of the credit union stood at 1,100 with assets of $13,334,297.

We look back in satisfaction at the history of our credit union. We now look forward to the future. Our vision is to merit the confidence of the Ukrainian community in the Niagara Peninsula as their first choice for financial services. Our mission is to be dedicated in providing a full range of financial services based on co-operative principles for the well being of our members and the community. Our promise is that we are committed to helping one another by providing high quality, cost-effective products and services in a professional confidential manner with courtesy, respect and teamwork.

Board of Directors

Executive

Stephen Dominick, Chair of the Board
Robert Diakow, Vice-Chair
Andrey Bourak, Secretary

Directors

Nestor Siolkowsky
Bryan Magwood
Diane Kusiak
Kathryn Hryb
Ola Tkaczyk
Peter Diakow

Staff

Bruce Fulcher, General Manager
Rouslana Herner, Member Service Representative
Nadia Komar, Member Service Representative
Jaroslawa Nakonieczny, Member Service Representative
Alicia Ritchie, Member Service Representative 

Location:
Conveniently located just off the QEW in St. Catharines at 118 Niagara Street. Visit the office or call us direct.

Office Hours:
Monday-Wednesday
9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday & Friday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday
9:00 am - 1:00 pm