Branca named 2015 CUES Distinguished Director
Frank Branca was recognized as 2015 CUES Distinguished Director at CUES’ Directors Conference, today at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Walt Disney World® Resort, Fla.
“This is quite an honor. It was a very big surprise to me,” said Branca, who accepts his award in the photo at right from the 2014 CUES Distinguished Director Howard Williams, CCD (left), and CUES President/CEO John Pembroke (right). “When I retired from Digital Equipment Corporation after seeing it grow from 1,000 to 135,000 employees, I felt I had had many opportunities and experiences along the way and wanted to do something to give back. I wanted to make sure I was a good fit for the board I would join and that the organization was a good fit for me. The DCU board was a good fit for me because we all bring different perspectives to the table, but we speak with one voice once we make a decision.
“What kept me involved all these years is the quality and caliber of the DCU board and management. We’re very fortunate in having a management team that was able to execute our plans expertly.
“For all of that I’ve been very grateful that I became part of the credit union. This award is very important to me. I thank CUES. I thank the board and the management team for being very supportive of all of us.”
Branca has been a director of $6.4 billion Digital Federal Credit Union since 2002. He was board chair from 2004 through 2014, and has served on nine committees, including as chairman of and secretary to the supervisory committee.
During Branca’s tenure as chair, Digital FCU, Marlborough, Mass., experienced significant growth, including increases in assets of 173 percent, membership of 127 percent, portfolio loans of 206 percent, and capital of 254 percent.
Under Branca’s leadership, the board encouraged and enabled management and staff to deliver benefits to a rapidly growing number of Digital FCU members. Among them were efforts to increase affordable lending options, help members to improve their credit, and assist members in starting long-term savings and retirement plans.
Branca also championed policies to operate the credit union in a socially responsible manner. The resulting efforts had a positive impact on the community, and included DCU for Kids, a non-profit charitable foundation that has donated over $6 million benefiting children and families; the Annual Memorial Scholarship Program, which grants 35 scholarships each year totaling $50,000 to graduating high school seniors; and the DCU Center for Excellence in Financial Services, to help financial services start-ups.
The CUES Distinguished Director award is presented to a credit union board or committee member who is a CUES Director or Center for Credit Union Board Excellence member, and whose achievements have strengthened their credit union.
Learn more about CUES recognition programs.
