As we enter the second half of the year, CreditUnions.com is revisiting some of our favorite stories from the first half of 2025 by highlighting stories centered on some of the industry’s top priorities.
One of the hallmarks of this industry is the focus on building vibrant communities. It’s one of the elements that makes credit unions unique. As we’ve said before, anybody can hang out their shingle and offer a checking account, but investing in and supporting the community takes real work – the kind of effort that goes way beyond simply writing a sponsorship check.
By focusing on inclusion, access, and long-term impact, credit unions help bridge economic divides and empower individuals to thrive. The cooperative member-owner model ensures decisions are driven by local needs, making them uniquely positioned to uplift communities and build a more equitable financial future. Credit unions don’t just serve communities — they help build them.
Of course, community engagement takes a variety of forms, and there’s no wrong way to get the work done. The following are three ways credit unions across the country are doing the hard work of supporting their communities and laying the groundwork to improve peoples’ financial lives.
A partnership with a local shelter is enabling the Jackson, MI-based cooperative to advance its mission of financial inclusion and serving the underserved.
City & County Credit Union transforms its branches into platforms for community connection, spotlighting local businesses through its “Business of the Month” kiosks.
Heritage Family Credit Union has teamed up with state agencies in Vermont to help put homeownership within reach for community members in Rutland, Vt., where fewer than 1,000 new homes have been built since 2000.
Now it’s your turn. What has your credit union done so far this year to benefit the community? What special initiatives are in store for the second half of 2025? Drop us a line and let us know!
Looking for more of the best Of 2025 so far? We’ve got you covered. Click the links below for more content from Callahan’s award-winning editorial team.
Best Of 2025 So Far: Fostering Financially Strong Credit Unions