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Executives at the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union said they chose its latest branch location to better service those in Wallington, East Rutherford, Carlstadt and surrounding towns.
“For 40 years, our credit union has been a symbol of the success of the Polish-American community in the United States, and I am convinced that our institution will become an integral part of the Polish community in Wallington and the entire area,” said Malgorzata Gradzki, chairwoman of the PSFCU board of directors.
Wallington is considered the center of the Polish-American community in New Jersey, ranking seventh nationwide and first in the state among municipalities with Polish ancestry.
PSFCU’s other New Jersey branches are located in Union, Linden, Garfield and Clifton.
Wallington is the home of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, the Cracovia Polish National Home, and many Polish stores, restaurants and businesses.
The official ribbon-cutting featured a distinct Polish flavor. Polish tradition and culture were evident everywhere, as the Aria Choir from Wallington sang the Polish and American national anthems, and the local Podhale children’s dance group gave a performance that evoked the folk dancing of Poland’s Tatra Mountains.
The 4,300-square-foot branch, located at 375 Paterson Ave., marks PSFCU’s fifth New Jersey location, and the first new branch opening for the organization since 2015.
“Because we are a Polish-American financial institution, we try to reach the greatest possible number of Polish people with our products and services. I promise that our credit union will be actively involved in all initiatives aiming to improve the life of Polish-Americans and to strengthen the Polish community in Bergen County,” said PSFCU Chief Executive Officer Bogdan Chmielewski.
Religious and business leaders attended the grand opening, as well as Wallington City Council President Christopher G. Sinisi, Councilmen Roman Kruk and Khaldoun Androwis, City Administrator Witold Baginski, and former Mayor Wargacki.
Reverend Feliks Marciniak, Pastor of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wallington, along with Assistant Pastors Marcin Kuperski and Steven D’Andrea, led prayers for those working at the new branch and for those who will be its members. The priests blessed those in attendance, including the branch staff.
Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016. Founded in Brooklyn in September 1976, the PSFCU has grown into an institution with 17 branches in three states (New York, New Jersey and Illinois). It has over 87,500 members and assets in excess of $1.73 billion.
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