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Marshall Boutwell Honored for Support of Polish Credit Union Movement

President and CEO of Peach State FCU receives Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit

September 15, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marshall Boutwell, President and CEO of Peach State Federal Credit Union, received the highest award Poland gives to non-citizens for his support of the country’s credit union movement during a September 14 ceremony at the residence of the Polish Ambassador to the United States.

Piotr Wilczek, Polish Ambassador to the United States, presented Boutwell with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit.

Boutwell has a long history of engaging with Poland through his participation in the Georgia-Poland Partnership, which links credit union executives from the U.S. State of Georgia with their counterparts in Polish credit unions. Boutwell was one of the original participants in the program and still provides support to Peach State FCU’s partner credit union in Poland.

Ambassador Wilczek noted the Polish credit union movement owes a great debt to Boutwell for helping them develop into what now stands as an example for other countries on how to increase access to responsible financial services. 

World Council of Credit Unions and the National Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions (NACSCU), its direct member association in Poland, have long supported this type of exchange, which embodies the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”

“The efforts of Marshall Boutwell have undoubtedly improved the lives of many credit union members in Poland by helping to bring responsible financial services to many who never had them before. This recognition for his relentless efforts is well deserved,” said Rafał Matusiak, President of NACSCU and Chair of World Council’s Board of Directors.

Jim Nussle, President and CEO of Credit Union National Association (CUNA), World Council’s direct member association in the United States, was also in attendance, along with representatives from the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) and members of Boutwell’s family.



World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 82,758 credit unions in 97 countries serve 404 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

Author Photo
Contact: Greg Neumann
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
 
Marshall Boutwell, with Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit pinned to his coat
Marshall Boutwell, with Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit pinned to his coat
Piotr Wilczek, Polish Ambassador to the United States
Piotr Wilczek, Polish Ambassador to the United States
Jim Nussle (far left) was one of many dignitaries on hand for the award ceremony
Jim Nussle (far left) was one of many dignitaries on hand for the award ceremony

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