John D. Unangst, president/CEO of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union for more than four decades and one of the industry's leading financial literacy advocates, passed away over the weekend, the Chadds Ford, Pa.-based credit union announced Monday.
He was 71.
"The board of directors, management team, and employees are extremely saddened by this unexpected news," said Patrick Killian, FMFCU board chair. "His exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication to FMFCU and the credit union movement, and community contributions were a lifelong inspiration to others."
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A memorial service will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 26 at the Penn Oaks Golf Club, 150 Penn Oaks Drive, West Chester, Pa. A viewing will precede the memorial service from 9:30 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m.
Under his 41-year stewardship, Unangst grew FMFCU from one branch with less than $1 million in assets to 37 branches and $1 billion in assets, making it the 10th largest credit union by assets in the Keystone State.
One of his most recent accomplishments was modernizing the credit union's branches with the latest technologies in a friendly, comfortable and member-focused environment. In 1986, Unangst formed State Financial Network LLC, a CUSO to offer mortgage services to other credit unions and their members
In 2012, Unangst secured permission to use the iconic Berenstain Bears to advance financial literacy. The credit union's partnership with Berenstain Enterprises led to the construction of the Bear Country Credit Union, a 1,100-square-foot, themed financial literacy center nestled behind the FMFCU's Broomall branch that hosts school field trips.
The development of the Berenstain Bears for Financial Literacy Program soon followed as Unangst commissioned Mike Berenstain to write and illustrate The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union, a book that has become the signature component of early childhood educational programs. To make the Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy program available to all credit unions, Unangst established the Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy, a CUSO subsidiary of FMFCU.
What's more, Unangst's dedication to financial literacy included forming FMFCU Partners in Education, which was launched in 2007 to help fund and fulfill the ever-increasing need for financial education. He also started the annual Partners in Education Celebration, FMFCU's marquee affair that supports financial literacy and academic achievement programs.
Prior to joining FMFCU, Unangst worked at Provident National Bank and served in the United States Army. As a captain serving in Vietnam, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal for Valor and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Most recently, Unangst was chosen CEO of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions in 2017, and he received a Veterans of Influence Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2015.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
