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.
CECL Challenges And Opportunities
April 14, 2016
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The new accounting standard from FASB presents challenges and opportunities to credit unions and CUSOs.
The Year Of Living Dangerously
April 13, 2016
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Introducing monthly dues was a risky move for Arizona Federal. Yet one year later, the credit union has a more engaged membership as a result.
A Time For CUSOs
April 13, 2016
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NACUSO conference points up innovative opportunities, regulatory challenges for collaborative entrepreneurship in the credit union model.
First Quarter 2008 Return Of The Member Scores
April 12, 2016
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Credit unions exist to serve members, and the Return of the Member (ROM) scoring system is designed to measure how well credit unions live up to this task.
Loan From the Front
April 8, 2016
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Member-facing staff at one Virginia credit union helps the institution reach its maximum lending potential.
What is the Member’s Right to Know?
April 8, 2016
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Disclosing executive salaries is not a regulatory issue; rather, it can be a marketplace advantage. Keeping compensation private only suggests that credit unions have something to hide.
The Power of Data
April 7, 2016
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Quantitative facts covering almost every aspect of credit union activity are abundant—and becoming even more plentiful. Many users of data are seeking answers. The issues range from the general, “How-am-I-doing?” to the specific, such as “Should-Iraise-my-NSF-fee?”
Management Classic: Controlling The Wind
April 7, 2016
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A hang gliding anecdote from Jim Blaine, CEO of State Employees Credit Union, offers insight into what it takes for a credit union to truly take off.
4 Ways To Ensure A Successful Brand After A Credit Union Merger
April 7, 2016
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Concentrate on four key merger elements that take into account all stakeholders.
Rebrand And Make The Credit Union Relevant To The Members And Communities
April 7, 2016
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The need for member connection is vital, so any changes should complement the credit union’s brand and mission.
CECL Challenges And Opportunities
The new accounting standard from FASB presents challenges and opportunities to credit unions and CUSOs.
The Year Of Living Dangerously
Introducing monthly dues was a risky move for Arizona Federal. Yet one year later, the credit union has a more engaged membership as a result.
First Quarter 2008 Return Of The Member Scores
Credit unions exist to serve members, and the Return of the Member (ROM) scoring system is designed to measure how well credit unions live up ...
Loan From the Front
Member-facing staff at one Virginia credit union helps the institution reach its maximum lending potential.
What is the Member’s Right to Know?
Disclosing executive salaries is not a regulatory issue; rather, it can be a marketplace advantage. Keeping compensation private only suggests that credit unions have something ...
The Power of Data
Quantitative facts covering almost every aspect of credit union activity are abundant—and becoming even more plentiful. Many users of data are seeking answers. The issues ...
Management Classic: Controlling The Wind
A hang gliding anecdote from Jim Blaine, CEO of State Employees Credit Union, offers insight into what it takes for a credit union to truly ...
4 Ways To Ensure A Successful Brand After A Credit Union Merger
Concentrate on four key merger elements that take into account all stakeholders.
Rebrand And Make The Credit Union Relevant To The Members And Communities
The need for member connection is vital, so any changes should complement the credit union’s brand and mission.
Browse Topics
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.
Stable Economy. Strained Households.
Andrew Lepczyk
Wages briefly caught up with inflation, but rising costs have pushed them back into negative territory. Here’s what that shift means for member finances and credit union performance.
Fintech Grounded In Mission As Much As Market Opportunity
Marc Rapport
Suncoast Credit Union balances near-term needs with longer-term bets, applying discipline to timing, valuation, and fit to decide when to invest and when to walk away.
Industry Intelligence For Credit Union Leaders
Callahan & Associates
Looking for quarterly data coverage, expert analysis, lessons from leading credit unions, and more? Callahan has it covered. Comparing top-level performance and digging into the details has never been easier.
A Time For CUSOs