The Peru Gazette

President-CEO Ron Belle custos the ceremonial ribbon

Maggie Fournier-Pope

Peru AmeriCU Staff

Peru Town Supervisor Craig Randall

North Country Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Kristy Kennedy

Nadia Potts, Assemblymenber Michael Cashman’s Assistant

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY, May 15, 2026 – In 1963, John Roach, a teacher at Peru Central School, founded the Peru Federal Credit Union to serve the school’s employees. He likely never imagined the remarkable growth that would unfold over the next sixty years. On December 1, 2025, the credit union that started in Roach’s home office merged with AmeriCU—a credit union now serving more than 200,000 members across central and northern New York. AmeriCU marked this merger yesterday with a Grand Opening celebration at its 900 Bear Swamp Road location.

AmeriCU President-CEO Ron Belle honored John Roach’s legacy by announcing that the Peru office’s boardroom is now officially named the John F. Roach Board Room. Kathleen Roach, John’s daughter, has served as the credit union’s Supervisory Committee Chair and as a longtime member of the Board of Directors.

Peru Town Supervisor Craig Randall, North Country Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Kristie Kennedy, and Nadia Potts—representing Assemblyman Michael Cashman—welcomed and congratulated AmeriCU President-CEO Ron Belle, Director George Bauer, and other AmeriCU officials.

AmeriCU’s history dates back to 1950, when it was founded in Rome, NY, as Griffiss Employees Credit Union. Following a series of mergers, AmeriCU now operates 25 branch offices and holds combined assets of $2.8 billion. In 2015, under the leadership of Maggie Pope, Peru Federal Credit Union became a community-based credit union serving Clinton and Essex Counties, significantly expanding its membership. Offices in Keeseville, Ausable Forks, and Wilmington opened in 2018–19, and in 2021, the credit union was renamed Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union. Membership grew from approximately 1,500 members and $14 million in assets in 2015 to 5,000 members and $55 million in assets by December 2025.

Why merge? Maggie Pope explained that AmeriCU will provide many additional services, including high-interest checking, more ATMs, expanded mortgage solutions, home equity, auto, personal, and student loans, a range of small business services, more checking and savings account options, investment and insurance teams, free financial counseling, and much more.

President-CEO Ron Belle praised Maggie Pope’s outstanding leadership, noting she is highly respected throughout the state’s credit union community. Recently, the New York State Credit Union Association elected her to its Hall of Fame.