Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union boss John Unangst dies
CHADDS FORD » Longtime Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU) President and CEO John D. Unangst died suddenly over the weekend, the firm said. Under his stewardship for more 40 years, Unangst led the growth of FMFCU from one branch with less than $1 million in assets to 37 branches and over $1 billion in assets. Only 5 percent of all credit unions are over the $1 billion milestone.
In addition, Unangst led the formation of two Credit Union Service Organizations that continue impacting the credit union industry. In 1986, FMFCU formed State Financial Network, LLC to offer mortgage services to other credit unions and their members. More recently in 2013, the Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy was created to offer The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program to credit unions.
“The board of directors, management team, and employees are extremely saddened by this unexpected news,” said Patrick Killian, FMFCU chairman of the board. “His exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication to FMFCU and the credit union movement, and community contributions were a lifelong inspiration to others.”
Most recently, Unangst was chosen CEO of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions in 2017 and received a Veterans of Influence Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2015. He was presently serving on the Riddle HealthCare Foundation Board of Directors, Brandywine Advisory Board at Penn State University, and CCRES Board of Directors.
Unangst was instrumental in the growth of the credit union here in Delaware County, in particular using satellite offices run in part by students in local schools to teach financial literacy to young people.
He also was the architect of a push to honor local students for their academic prowess, partnering with the Daily Times for the annual All-Delco Hi-Q team, honoring the best of the local competitors in the nation’s oldest academic quiz competition. It was that push that resulted in the annual Partners in Education Dinner that drew more than 500 hundreds people to the Drexelbrook. Unangst was able to convince “Jeopardy” icon Alex Trebek to be the guest speaker at one of the very first dinners.
Unangst was a graduate of Penn State University, a decorated Captain in the U.S. Army, and resident of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He was a proud graduate of Interboro High School.