Whether it’s serving the underserved, taking a holistic approach to mortgage lending, or simply finding ways to measure impact, credit unions made their mark in 2024.
Communities across the country have struggled with high prices, housing shortages, and, until recently, rising interest rates. But credit unions have been there time and again with the right products and the right policies.
Throughout the year, CreditUnions.com has highlighted how credit unions are Building Vibrant Communities, so that’s our focus today.
- Member data, transactional data, behavioral data, marketing data, community data … credit unions have it all, but what are they doing with it? GreenState Credit Union in Iowa, is combining data with a key partnership to better serve those with limited means.
- Are underserved communities a risk or an opportunity? For one Texas-based institution, the answer is resoundingly the latter, and it’s taking banking on the road to put members in the driving seat of their financial future.
- Affordable housing initiatives are helping members move into their dream home, but what happens after they sign on the dotted line? One Virginia-based shop is taking a holistic approach to ensure members can afford the mortgage today and stay put for the long haul.
- When it comes to making financial services accessible to all members, True Sky takes an unusual approach. The Oklahoma cooperative has elevated diversity to a leadership role and is one of only a handful of shops nationwide to host a director of multicultural strategy.
- The efforts to build a vibrant community are notoriously difficult to measure. Blue FCU is tracking its impact via an innovative index that takes into account life, money, and community variables.
What about you? How is your credit union building vibrant communities? What’s on the horizon for 202u5? Drop us a line, and we might feature your story on CreditUnions.com.
Let’s get to work.
Looking for more of the best of 2024? Click the links below to revisit some of the year’s best content from Callahan’s award-winning editorial team.
Best Of 2024: Driving Employee Engagement
Best Of 2024: Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing
Best Of 2024: Fostering Financially Strong Credit Unions