JetStream FCU Turns CDFI Funding Into Lifelines After Hurricane Maria
A pair of CDFI grants allowed the Florida-based credit union to help members restart their lives on the island or relocate to the United States.
Impact/Purpose
Our Purpose page is your central resource to explore strategies that elevate products and services from run-of-the-mill commodities to powerful tools that support members and communities and set credit unions apart from competitors.
Top Impact/Purpose Articles
Wright-Patt Turns Purpose Into Property For First-Time Homebuyers
The Ohio credit union’s Sunshine Community Fund is backing new homes in Dayton, combining financial support, education, and cross-team collaboration to empower first-time buyers.
First Alliance Debuts Mission-Driven Deposits
The Minnesota-based cooperative invites high-dollar depositors to turn private prosperity into shared possibility through a savings product designed around social impact.
BAI Fetes Credit Union For Innovation In Old-School Banking
October 14, 2015
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New Mexico’s Nusenda works to boost capital access and financial acumen; judges cite other nominees for digital small business banking that includes Uber-style service in Poland.
A Cooperative Foundation
October 13, 2015
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This week, CreditUnions.com looks at strategies to fund charitable causes, expand philanthropic missions, and support community causes.
How To Build A Better Tomorrow
October 12, 2015
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TopLine Federal Credit Union shares lessons learned and best practices for building a 501(c)(3) affiliate.
A Framework For Philanthropy
October 12, 2015
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Make the answers to these four questions the cornerstones of a nonprofit foundation.
The Pope Digs Cooperatives
September 25, 2015
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Pope Francis brought his message and his popularity to Washington, and this family was there to witness it.
The Big GiveBack
September 21, 2015
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Workers’ Credit Union started its patronage dividend in 2013. In 2015, it wants to give back $3 million to its membership. Here’s how.
Compensating Directors: What’s Fair And What’s Foul?
September 21, 2015
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Here’s a list of specific ways that credit unions can and cannot compensate their board volunteers.
3 Takeaways From Trendwatch 2Q15
August 19, 2015
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Second quarter performance data showcases current and future areas of growth for credit unions, including loans, shares, and variety of income.
The Benefits Of Hiring From Inside — And Outside — The Credit Union Industry
August 11, 2015
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How Interra FCU has benefited from bringing on strong candidates regardless of cooperative pedigree.
Supplemental Capital And Credit Unions
July 27, 2015
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As of March 31, 2015, natural person credit unions reported a total of $217.4 million in supplemental capital. What is this capital and where does it come from?
BAI Fetes Credit Union For Innovation In Old-School Banking
New Mexico’s Nusenda works to boost capital access and financial acumen; judges cite other nominees for digital small business banking that includes Uber-style service in ...
A Cooperative Foundation
This week, CreditUnions.com looks at strategies to fund charitable causes, expand philanthropic missions, and support community causes.
How To Build A Better Tomorrow
TopLine Federal Credit Union shares lessons learned and best practices for building a 501(c)(3) affiliate.
A Framework For Philanthropy
Make the answers to these four questions the cornerstones of a nonprofit foundation.
The Big GiveBack
Workers’ Credit Union started its patronage dividend in 2013. In 2015, it wants to give back $3 million to its membership. Here’s how.
Compensating Directors: What’s Fair And What’s Foul?
Here’s a list of specific ways that credit unions can and cannot compensate their board volunteers.
3 Takeaways From Trendwatch 2Q15
Second quarter performance data showcases current and future areas of growth for credit unions, including loans, shares, and variety of income.
The Benefits Of Hiring From Inside — And Outside — The Credit Union Industry
How Interra FCU has benefited from bringing on strong candidates regardless of cooperative pedigree.
Supplemental Capital And Credit Unions
As of March 31, 2015, natural person credit unions reported a total of $217.4 million in supplemental capital. What is this capital and where does ...
Browse Topics
Why Financial Empowerment Matters More Than Financial Literacy
Savana Morie
Alltru FCU stopped treating education as the end goal. Now, financial empowerment guides product design, access, and risk decisions.
42% Of U.S. Households Experience Financial Hardship
Tony Waltrich
More than 50 million U.S. households earn less than the minimum average income needed to cover basic costs of living.
Excite Foundation Breaks Down Barriers For Children’s Savings
Savana Morie
Automatic enrollment and community partnerships help the credit union foundation expand access to early savings for underserved families.
Credit Human Redefines ‘Green’ In The Heart Of Texas
Savana Morie
The credit union completed a three acre headquarters campus in 2021 that offers 52% more space while consuming a fraction of the resources. It’s a model of how cooperatives can lead on sustainability without sacrificing performance.
CDFIs By The Numbers
Omar Shalabi
CDFI credit unions might be fewer in number, but their impact reaches millions of members, and their footprint highlights how targeted mission can translate into broad, measurable reach.
Serving The Underserved Without Accepting Preventable Fraud Losses
Callahan & Associates
Preventable fraud losses quietly erode credit union margins. The difference between a 25% and 6% loss rate isn’t risk. It’s execution.
Inside An In-School Model That Links Classrooms With College And Careers
Savana Morie
Holy Rosary Credit Union has embedded itself into a local high school’s career and technical education program, offering scholarships, internships, and courses eligible for college credit.
6 Credit Union Executive Priorities For 2026
Jay Johnson
Credit union leaders want to know where peers are placing their focus. These six priorities reflect how leadership teams are responding to change with intention and clarity.
What’s Next For Credit Union Earnings?
Omar Shalabi
As margin support begins to fade, earnings performance is becoming more sensitive to revenue mix and harder to interpret through public reporting alone.
The Great Wealth Transfer Is Also A Relationship Transfer
Savana Morie
Harvard FCU combines digital estate planning with human financial guidance to support positive, proactive wealth transfer across generations.
The Pope Digs Cooperatives