Credit Unions Fuel Fresh Start for Ukrainian Veterans

MADISON, Wis.—Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), in partnership with World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), today announced promising results from a targeted loan program launched in early 2025 to support Ukrainian veterans and their families.

Funded by WFCU’s Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, the program enables four participating Ukrainian credit unions to offer affordable, tailored financial support to veterans and military families rebuilding their lives and businesses amid the ongoing war.

Through the first six months of 2025, participating credit unions:

• disbursed 31 loans, totaling $157,000.
• funded 62% of the loans through the WFCU grant, with another 38% financed by the credit unions’ own capital.
• issued 40% of the loans directly to veterans and another 60% to military family members.
• provided nearly half of all loans to women borrowers.

“This initiative is a powerful example of how credit unions continue to meet people where they are – even in conflict – and help them build toward a stronger future,” said Mike Reuter, WFCU President.

Real stories, real impact

One loan recipient is Maksym Hevak from Lviv Region, a young farmer and entrepreneur carrying on his family’s legacy. His father Oleg, a veteran who served in the Ukrainian military since 2014 and is currently mobilized, inspired Hevak’s mission.

With program funding through Anisia Credit Union, Hevak invested in hazelnut trees, strawberry seedlings and other crops for the growing season. The loan empowered him to grow the family farm and contribute to the local economy.

Another entrepreneur, Tetiana Shavkun, owns a bustling produce shop in the Cherkasy Region. Her loan from Kredyt-Soiuz Credit Union allowed her and her husband, a war veteran, to purchase a delivery vehicle, cutting transportation costs and enabling direct sourcing from farmers. With plans to expand product lines and hire staff, Shavkun is growing her small business into a local hub for fresh, affordable food.

WFCU and WOCCU continue to work closely with Ukrainian partners to expand access to financial tools that support resilience, recovery and long-term economic inclusion through funding from the Veterans’ Program and the Rally the Movement Campaign.

Maksym (on the right) and Oleg (on the left) Hevak in their field

Tetiana Shavkun at her produce shop

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