Business View Magazine | December 2020

206 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 support primarily, organizations to which credit union members belong,” Kutnyy explains. “The Selfreliance Foundation makes donations to many Ukrainian-American Churches, community and cultural organizations, museums, Ukrainian Schools here in the U.S. and youth and sport organizations.” The Foundation ensures that the credit union’s ties to the community remain strong through the generations and that the community is healthy and vibrant. Kutnyy adds, “The credit union has contributed almost 17 million dollars to the Foundation since 2005. It’s a very important factor for the credit union and for our operation.” When the COVID-19 pandemic crisis began in the U.S. in the Spring, the credit union promptly promoted initiatives for community safety and stability. According to Kutnyy, “We immediately decided to allocate resources to the Small Business Association Paycheck Protection (SB PPP) Program to make sure that our community, not-for-profit organizations that were affected by the pandemic would apply for these forgivable loans. That was very important for us. As a result, almost $800,000 in SB PPP loans were approved for not-for-profit community organizations.” Along with the forgivable loan program, Selfreliance also instituted safety measures in their branches and promoted remote banking services. When in-person service resumed in branches in May, it ensured members’ safety with masks, social distancing, and glass barriers between tellers and members. In late 2019, prior to the pandemic, Selfreliance instituted new technologies to better serve its members. The new tech included e-signature capabilities to go along with already running online and mobile banking, and check deposits. That foresight allowed a smooth transition for members who faced increasing COVID-19 safety provisions. “Investment in technology is a very important key to the success of our credit union,” says Kutnyy. “At our level and size we cannot be We believe business is more than the next deal; it’s a partnership. Just ask our partner, Selfreliance Federal Credit Union. www.espsolution.net CORE PROCESSING • SUPERIOR SUPPORT