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.
Credit Unions Step Up As Tax Time Heroes
January 13, 2025
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Tax season is just around the corner, and two low-income credit unions are gearing up their tax-preparation services.
CDFI Grants Help Members. They Help Credit Unions, Too.
December 9, 2024
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Leaders share how grant funding has supported members on the fringes of financial ruin while underpinning credit union growth.
How Well Do You Know CDFIs? Test Your Community Impact IQ.
December 9, 2024
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CDFIs offer loans, investments, and financial education to individuals and businesses that might not have access to traditional banking services. Learn more about these financial first responders.
CDFI Certification Powers Up Community Impact In Florida And Beyond
December 9, 2024
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As the nation’s largest community development credit union, Suncoast is a force for development, collaboration, and innovation.
The Benefits Of Advisory Boards Go Beyond Accountability
December 9, 2024
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From focus groups to influencer marketing, two credit unions share why advisory boards are a valuable tool for any credit union.
The Unofficial Credit Union Anthem
December 9, 2024
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Credit unions have the power to change lives — and they shouldn’t be afraid to use it.
4 Takeaways From Day 2 Of Future Branches 2024
December 6, 2024
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Recruitment and retention, emotional loyalty, and more were key topics during the second day of the Austin event.
Holistic Wellness Finds A Home In Credit Unions
November 18, 2024
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From yoga to YouTube, three credit unions share insight on what’s working, or not, in their shops.
Building Bonds And Brand By Way Of Culture Kits
November 18, 2024
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Credit Union 1 is cultivating a people-first approach through a quarterly program that highlights different strategic goals and ties employee behavior to organization success.
Evolving HR Roles For An Evolving Workforce
November 18, 2024
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HR leaders offer insights into their job titles, the impact they have on their credit unions, and how their roles have evolved as employee needs evolve.
Credit Unions Step Up As Tax Time Heroes
Tax season is just around the corner, and two low-income credit unions are gearing up their tax-preparation services.
CDFI Grants Help Members. They Help Credit Unions, Too.
Leaders share how grant funding has supported members on the fringes of financial ruin while underpinning credit union growth.
How Well Do You Know CDFIs? Test Your Community Impact IQ.
CDFIs offer loans, investments, and financial education to individuals and businesses that might not have access to traditional banking services. Learn more about these financial ...
CDFI Certification Powers Up Community Impact In Florida And Beyond
As the nation’s largest community development credit union, Suncoast is a force for development, collaboration, and innovation.
The Benefits Of Advisory Boards Go Beyond Accountability
From focus groups to influencer marketing, two credit unions share why advisory boards are a valuable tool for any credit union.
4 Takeaways From Day 2 Of Future Branches 2024
Recruitment and retention, emotional loyalty, and more were key topics during the second day of the Austin event.
Holistic Wellness Finds A Home In Credit Unions
From yoga to YouTube, three credit unions share insight on what’s working, or not, in their shops.
Building Bonds And Brand By Way Of Culture Kits
Credit Union 1 is cultivating a people-first approach through a quarterly program that highlights different strategic goals and ties employee behavior to organization success.
Evolving HR Roles For An Evolving Workforce
HR leaders offer insights into their job titles, the impact they have on their credit unions, and how their roles have evolved as employee needs ...
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.
Consumers Are Financing The Future Any Way They Can
Aaron Passman
Studies show credit card debt and Buy Now, Pay Later usage continue to rise. Bigger increases could be around the corner.
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 Unofficial Credit Union Anthem