Interview with Jerry R. Walters, May 3, 2023

Interview Summary

Jerry R. Walters, who is perhaps the most knowledgeable native of Benham, KY concerning the history of the International Harvester sponsored Credit Union, provides a detailed overview of its operation and eligibility for membership including spouses; His Father having served on the Benham Credit Union Board, Jerry ably chronicled the history of the CU's financial support and interaction for the IH coal miners including descriptions of early forms of IH employee payment and payroll deductions, as well as the closing of the Benham Credit Union. Important differences between Benham-IR/Progressive Coal Miners Union and the Lynch-US Steel and United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) are noted.

Becoming a Credit Union member at age 18, at the time of the Interview, Jerry serves as Chairman of the Board of the Harvester Financial Credit Union, Indianapolis, IN, and is also President of the International Council of Credit Unions. Additionally he has served on various CU Boards for 50 years, including as President of the International Association of the Auto Council; as past president of the Central Chapter of the Indiana Credit Union League; and 49 years as Chairman of the Membership Committee of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU).

Interview Keyword

Benham Kentucky International Harvester Benham Credit Union Benham Credit Union Board of Directors and Committees International Harvester coal miners Robert "Bob" and Pauline Hern Benham Credit Union Manager Benham Credit Union Annual Meeting Sale of Benham houses Closing Benham Credit Union Benham School Big Store Sports Friendship Community Transition from underground coal mining to mountain top removal out-migration of the 1950's to Indiana, Ohio and Michigan out-migration

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Interview Usage

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