THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM
UNA inaugurates newsletter for members in United States
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Ukrainian National Association has inaugurated a newsletter for members called The UNA in Focus (U poli zoru - UNSoyuz).
Some 26,000 copies of the bilingual (English-Ukrainian) newsletter, dated March 1996, were mailed to UNA members in the United States some six weeks ago.
Focusing on UNA insurance offerings, membership benefits and fraternal activities, the four-page premiere issue covers annuity certificates, college scholarships and the UNA's five-year-old Teaching English in Ukraine program. It also features a message from UNA President Ulana Diachuk.
The UNA in Focus is to be published three to four times per year. Its editor is Roma Hadzewycz, a UNA advisor. Halyna Kolessa is editor of the newsletter's Ukrainian-language section.
The next issue of The UNA in Focus is to be published in June.
The UNA and you
Saving thousands by refinancing
by Stephan Welhasch
It seems that almost everyone knows someone who has just refinanced their home. The reasons for doing so are many:
With interest rates lower than they've been in the past 18 months, if the thought of refinancing has even crossed your mind, now is definitely the time to give it serious thought. Interest rates have probably hit bottom, and there have never been more lenders and mortgage brokers seeking to help you.
While most home owners understand they will save money in the long run by refinancing their existing mortgage loans, many are concerned about the costs connected with the loan closing process. It is true that the borrower is obligated to pay a laundry list of charges when closing the loan. However, with proper preparation, a smart borrower can literally save thousands of dollars.
Recently, an attorney from Rutherford, N.J., applied to trade his $100,000 / five-year adjustable-rate home loan with a 15-year payout at 9.5 percent interest for a new 15-year fixed rate at 6.875 percent.
By coming over to UNA he reduced his monthly payments by $152.37. This translates to a $27,400 savings over the life of the loan.
A couple from Houston, an engineer and household manager, just a few weeks ago traded a 15-year fixed-rate $125,000 home loan, which they signed back in May 1992 at 9 percent interest, for a new mortgage of $140,000 at 6.5 percent. They did this to get a lower rate, repair the house a bit and to consolidate some high-interest-rate bills. By doing so they still managed to save $48.28 in their monthly payments with the UNA.
True, their closing costs did increase slightly over the time in question, but the extra cash and lower monthly payments did make life a little easier for them. Even after closing costs, over the life of this new loan they still stand to save thousands of dollars.
When rates fell below 7 percent three years ago, the lowest rate in 25 years, this set off a wave of refinancing nationally. By mid-1994 interest rates jumped to over 9 percent, and many home owners decided to wait it out. Now once again, with rates being so low, many home owners are rushing to refinance.
Being a member of the Ukrainian National Association entitles you to a special mortgage rate that also includes better insurance coverage for you and your children. If you've been considering refinancing, now is a good time to call the UNA and compare shop.
Our biggest customer today is the former adjustable-rate mortgage customer. Many of those who expect to close within the next 45 days have already locked-in on the new interest rates. You never know, rates might shoot up again as happened two years ago. In fact interest rates have moved up again by one-half of a percent in the last few weeks.
Don't wait any longer. Call UNA and see how much you can save. Make your dreams come true. Call 1 (800) 253-9862.
Auditors complete review of UNA operations
Four of the five members of the Ukrainian National Association's Auditing Committee conducted a review of UNA operations, including Soyuzivka, during the week of April 20. Seen above are: Iwan Wynnyk, Stefan Hawrysz, William Pastuszek and Anatole Doroshenko. Stefania Hewryk was unable to participate in the twice yearly audit.
Young UNA'ers
Anna Romanchuk lives on a small farm not far from Minneapolis. At a young 98, she is in good health and able to perform many of the duties around her home. However, there are some tasks for which she needs assistance. For these, Mrs. Romanchuk has come to rely upon Joe Green, a neighbor who lives on his own farm nearby. Although these chores are often time-consuming or cumbersome, Mr. Green has never accepted any payment for his aid. Mrs. Romanchuk often hoped for a way to show her gratitude for his assistance.
Earlier this year, when a new member of the Green family was born, Mrs. Romanchuk found a solution to her dilemma. If Mr. Green would not accept a token of her appreciation, perhaps his young son would! Contacting her local UNA branch secretary, she inquired about purchasing a policy for the Greens' newborn. After gaining his parents' approval, Mrs. Romanchuk tapped into her modest savings and proceeded to purchase a UNA policy for the baby boy.
The UNA is proud to welcome this new member, Michael James Green, born January 28, 1996, to Joe and Mary Green and weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. A UNA policy is indeed a wonderful gift!
Christine Oksana Rad and Yurij Taras Rad, children of Mary and Bob Rad, are new members of UNA Branch 888 in Toronto. They were enrolled by their parents.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 19, 1996, No. 20, Vol. LXIV
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