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.
The New Retirement Reality Reveals Startling Facts
July 28, 2025
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A 2025 BlackRock survey presents a snapshot of retirement readiness and shows Americans are saving, struggling, and still working.
Smart Marketing Speaks To A Select Employee Group
July 28, 2025
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At Publix Employees FCU, marketing plays a pivotal role in select employee group engagement.
Michigan Legacy Takes A Scientific Approach To Spotting Elder Financial Abuse
July 14, 2025
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A partnership with the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University has helped the credit union reduce reports of elder fraud by as much as 50%.
Build Resilience, Not Road Maps: 5 Strategic Planning Priorities For 2026 And Beyond
July 14, 2025
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From employee engagement to community impact and beyond, these are the initiatives credit unions must focus on to stay aligned and prepared for the challenges ahead.
Virtual Cards: More Than Just A Trend
July 7, 2025
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The next evolution in consumer payments — and credit unions that wait risk falling behind.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Building Vibrant Communities
June 30, 2025
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A midyear look back at how credit unions are lifting up their communities in ways that go beyond just banking.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Fostering Financially Strong Credit Unions
June 30, 2025
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Revisiting some of the unique strategies financial cooperatives are using to drive long-term success and sustainable organic growth.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing
June 30, 2025
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From access to education and beyond, credit unions are putting members first in a way that’s not just about banking – it’s about financial empowerment.
Tracy Verner Is Breaking Barriers In St. Louis Finance
June 16, 2025
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The community development manager at Alltru FCU turned in her barbells for bank accounts and is building access one account at a time.
90 Years + 1,000 Volunteer Hours In 90 Days
June 16, 2025
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Education Credit Union launched “90 Days, 900 Ways to Serve” in honor of its 90th anniversary. The institution surpassed that goal thanks to widespread employee buy-in and strong community ties.
The New Retirement Reality Reveals Startling Facts
A 2025 BlackRock survey presents a snapshot of retirement readiness and shows Americans are saving, struggling, and still working.
Smart Marketing Speaks To A Select Employee Group
At Publix Employees FCU, marketing plays a pivotal role in select employee group engagement.
Michigan Legacy Takes A Scientific Approach To Spotting Elder Financial Abuse
A partnership with the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University has helped the credit union reduce reports of elder fraud by as much as ...
Virtual Cards: More Than Just A Trend
The next evolution in consumer payments — and credit unions that wait risk falling behind.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Building Vibrant Communities
A midyear look back at how credit unions are lifting up their communities in ways that go beyond just banking.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Fostering Financially Strong Credit Unions
Revisiting some of the unique strategies financial cooperatives are using to drive long-term success and sustainable organic growth.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing
From access to education and beyond, credit unions are putting members first in a way that’s not just about banking – it’s about financial empowerment. ...
Tracy Verner Is Breaking Barriers In St. Louis Finance
The community development manager at Alltru FCU turned in her barbells for bank accounts and is building access one account at a time.
90 Years + 1,000 Volunteer Hours In 90 Days
Education Credit Union launched “90 Days, 900 Ways to Serve” in honor of its 90th anniversary. The institution surpassed that goal thanks to widespread employee ...
Browse Topics
Innovation Only Goes So Far Without Internal Alignment
Marc Rapport
Coastal Credit Union evaluates fintech through the lens of member value, strategic growth, and organizational readiness to implement new ideas.
Future Bets For Fintech
Rebecca Wessler
Credit unions are making decisions about where to build, invest, and partner as they balance today’s priorities with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Future Bets From Today’s Credit Unions
Marc Rapport
Industry leaders share how they approach fintech investment, balancing immediate needs with longer-term bets while keeping member value and mission at the center.
Competing For Gen Z, SMBs, And The Future Of Money
Callahan & Associates
Credit unions that enable seamless movement between fiat and digital assets position themselves as a trusted on- and off-ramp.
The Financial Readiness Gap: Credit Unions Evaluate It Every Day. But Who Builds It?
Callahan & Associates
The credit unions that win the next generation will be the ones that showed up early, when young members were forming habits and deciding whom to trust.
Defending Your Credit Union Against Fraud Means Fighting Fire With Smarter Fire
Callahan & Associates
The challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to adopt it responsibly with the right governance, the right partners, and the right balance between technology and human oversight.
Digital Assets Are Coming For Payments. Are Credit Unions Ready?
Andrew Lepczyk
McKinsey projects trillions of dollars in growth across digital assets, with money movement emerging as one of the biggest opportunities.
The Long Game For Fintech At FORUM Credit Union
Marc Rapport
The Indiana cooperative blends internal development with selective partnerships to meet members’ needs today now while positioning for what’s next.
Mission Fed Weighs Fintech Returns Against Real-World Fit
Marc Rapport
The San Diego cooperative leans on its CUSO and the CURQL network to make fintech investments, but member needs still guide which solutions ultimately make it into the credit union’s operations.
AI Boot Camp Is More Than Basic Training At Clearview FCU
Aaron Passman
Hands-on work with artificial intelligence tools is future-proofing staff members, giving them the confidence to adopt new technology and embrace efficiencies.
Build Resilience, Not Road Maps: 5 Strategic Planning Priorities For 2026 And Beyond