Polish & Slavic ATMs to Serve Pilgrims

NEW YORK — Despite being troubled by a series of ongoing board disputes, the $1 billion Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union has been selected to provide ATM services to pilgrims at a Roman Catholic shrine popular with people of Polish descent. The site is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located in Doylestown, Pa. The image at the shrine is a replica of the “Black Madonna” image from the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland. The site draws 800,000 visitors per year, primarily of Polish descent. In order to place the several ATMs, Polish & Slavic said it had to beat out offers from commercial banks. “The Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union is constantly looking for ways to grow and ways in which to serve our members,” said PSFCU Board Chairman Krzysztof Matyszczyk. “Our presence in Pennsylvania is proof that we want to operate wherever the Polish community needs us. We will therefore continue to strive to increase the range of our operations and open new branches, not only in Pennsylvania, but in other states as well.” To celebrate the introduction of the ATMs and its entry into Pennsylvania, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the visitors’ center adjacent to the shrine, preceded by a special Mass, celebrated by Father Provincial Krzysztof Wieliczko, leader of the Pauline Fathers who administer the Shrine. “We appreciate the financial support that the credit union provides to many Polish parishes, thus emphasizing their importance to the Polish community. The choice of the Credit Union was an obvious one. The PSFCU is something more than a bank for the Polish community–it’s their credit union. Although reputable banks vied for the privilege of serving our visitors, we wanted to have a financial institution here that really cares for the Polish community and the welfare of our Church,” said Father Wieliczko. Polish & Slavic said it has long been a supporter of the Pauline Fathers and their work and is one of major sponsors of the festivals they organize each year at the Shrine. –[email protected]