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 Mighty Mobile Opportunity
February 19, 2015
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How credit unions are using payments, loan applications, and location-based offers to build a big user experience in a small delivery channel.
Compounding The Problem
February 12, 2015
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Albert Einstein hailed the power of compounding interest. But that power works both ways, as payday lenders well know.
4 Lessons From Failed Mergers
February 11, 2015
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To coincide with the merger webinar hosted by Callahan & Associates, here are four infamous examples and lessons from failed mergers in the communications and retail industries.
Economic Up Tempo May Prompt Rate Ratchet
February 6, 2015
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Rising wages, employment may be greeted by rate hikes as Fed works to direct economic harmony.
Immigration Order Spurs Huge Chance To Serve
February 6, 2015
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Credit union advocates react to Obama move with call to grab market share while serving up trusted financial resources.
Are Credit Unions Too Squeamish To Watch Matz And McWatters Duke It Out?
February 5, 2015
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A new era of transparent debate and both sides of the story will be good for us all!
Split Leadership Helps Honor Keep It Local
January 23, 2015
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Honor Credit Union formed an independent executive team to build on the knowledge of merged staff members and succeed in a new market.
Debra Vollmer On Leadership
January 20, 2015
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Debra Vollmer, senior vice president at Langley Federal Credit Union, reflects on her leadership style, lessons learned during her career, and opportunities for the industry.
The Secret Legal Opinions Behind Public Decisions
January 20, 2015
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NCUA is setting an anti-democratic precedent in its repeated efforts to keep private the legal opinions about its public regulatory authority. RBC is one example. The CUSO rule is another. Will there be more?
How Credit Unions Can Prove Themselves
January 19, 2015
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A review of practices that show how and why credit unions are boosting their visibility and viability.
The Mighty Mobile Opportunity
How credit unions are using payments, loan applications, and location-based offers to build a big user experience in a small delivery channel.
4 Lessons From Failed Mergers
To coincide with the merger webinar hosted by Callahan & Associates, here are four infamous examples and lessons from failed mergers in the communications and ...
Economic Up Tempo May Prompt Rate Ratchet
Rising wages, employment may be greeted by rate hikes as Fed works to direct economic harmony.
Immigration Order Spurs Huge Chance To Serve
Credit union advocates react to Obama move with call to grab market share while serving up trusted financial resources.
Are Credit Unions Too Squeamish To Watch Matz And McWatters Duke It Out?
A new era of transparent debate and both sides of the story will be good for us all!
Split Leadership Helps Honor Keep It Local
Honor Credit Union formed an independent executive team to build on the knowledge of merged staff members and succeed in a new market.
Debra Vollmer On Leadership
Debra Vollmer, senior vice president at Langley Federal Credit Union, reflects on her leadership style, lessons learned during her career, and opportunities for the industry.
The Secret Legal Opinions Behind Public Decisions
NCUA is setting an anti-democratic precedent in its repeated efforts to keep private the legal opinions about its public regulatory authority. RBC is one example. ...
How Credit Unions Can Prove Themselves
A review of practices that show how and why credit unions are boosting their visibility and viability.
Browse Topics
Growth Is A Mindset, But Success Is In The Contract
Callahan & Associates
Arriba Advisors co-founder Tom Russell explores how credit unions can bridge the gap between a growth mindset and their technical reality.
Fraud Is Faster, Smarter, And Harder To Stop. Here’s How To.
Callahan & Associates
RKL offers insight, expertise, and experience to help fight off growing threats.
The Numbers Are Good. The Moment Is Hard.
William Hunt
Members are anxious about their financial futures, even as credit unions remain financially strong. Institutions that respond to this moment can make 2026 a turning point.
Wages Are Growing. Wallets Are Not.
Sherry Virden
Global events are flowing directly into household budgets, reshaping how credit union members save, borrow, and cope. Such trends don’t always show up in headline data.
Credit Unions Are Having A Margin Moment
Tony Waltrich
Credit unions are benefiting from a rare margin advantage as loans reprice slower than deposits. The question now is how institutions will use that strength to better serve members.
Where Have All The Members Gone?
Omar Shalabi
Membership growth is slowing, but financial activity is not. What does the modern financial relationship look like?
5 Takeaways From First Quarter Credit Union Performance Data
William Hunt
Inflation, war, and uncertain futures have reshaped members’ needs in 2026. What does credit union performance data from the first quarter of 2026 say about household budgets, inflation pressures, and more?
New Highs For Equity Markets Despite Iran And Oil Prices
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
New Graduates Face A Cautious Job-Hiring Landscape
Tony Waltrich
Today’s job market is shaped by skills based expectations, with employers slowing entry level hiring and placing greater emphasis on applied experience.
A Credit Union Journey Into Cryptocurrency And Stablecoins
Savana Morie
St. Cloud Financial is betting on digital assets to protect member relationships and future relevance. It’s picked up lessons for other leaders along the way.
Compounding The Problem