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.
Fortera Fights Against Generational Poverty
July 21, 2024
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The Fortera Foundation is breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing essential resources and financial aid to single-parent students.
United Nations FCU’s Lessons From Global Philanthropy
July 21, 2024
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The United Nations FCU Foundation helps the New York-based credit union make an impact on multiple continents.
Understanding NCUA’s 2023 Grant Funding
July 15, 2024
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The regulator’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund distributed $3.8 million in grant funding last year, benefitting more than 140 credit unions.
GreenState Foundation Invests In Data To Improve Its Community
July 1, 2024
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A partnership with United Ways of Iowa is uncovering insights about employed community members who struggle under limited assets and constrained income.
Community Financial Flips The Script On Junk Fees
June 24, 2024
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The Michigan credit union has dropped punitive overdraft fees in favor of a checking account feature that helps members save money when their spending outstrips their budget.
Is Growth The Goal Or The Result?
June 17, 2024
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Credit unions that want to remain relevant might need to rethink how they approach the “G” word.
Innovative Card Solutions Enhance Member Engagement And Deliver Exceptional Value
June 10, 2024
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A Q&A with the credit card manufacturing company reveals skills and best practices that set it apart.
True Sky’s Blueprint For Internal And External Change Management
May 13, 2024
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The Oklahoma credit union is deploying new tools that change the game for its staff and its mission-based membership strategies.
Vantage West Works A Side HUSTL
May 6, 2024
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The Arizona-based credit union’s new fintech venture is part of a broader segmentation trend across the financial services industry.
Mega Bank Skips Town, Premier America Steps In
April 29, 2024
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The cooperative boosts its standing with Southern California’s Hispanic community as part of a bid to expand financial inclusion.
Fortera Fights Against Generational Poverty
The Fortera Foundation is breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing essential resources and financial aid to single-parent students.
United Nations FCU’s Lessons From Global Philanthropy
The United Nations FCU Foundation helps the New York-based credit union make an impact on multiple continents.
Understanding NCUA’s 2023 Grant Funding
The regulator’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund distributed $3.8 million in grant funding last year, benefitting more than 140 credit unions.
GreenState Foundation Invests In Data To Improve Its Community
A partnership with United Ways of Iowa is uncovering insights about employed community members who struggle under limited assets and constrained income.
Community Financial Flips The Script On Junk Fees
The Michigan credit union has dropped punitive overdraft fees in favor of a checking account feature that helps members save money when their spending outstrips ...
Innovative Card Solutions Enhance Member Engagement And Deliver Exceptional Value
A Q&A with the credit card manufacturing company reveals skills and best practices that set it apart.
True Sky’s Blueprint For Internal And External Change Management
The Oklahoma credit union is deploying new tools that change the game for its staff and its mission-based membership strategies.
Vantage West Works A Side HUSTL
The Arizona-based credit union’s new fintech venture is part of a broader segmentation trend across the financial services industry.
Mega Bank Skips Town, Premier America Steps In
The cooperative boosts its standing with Southern California’s Hispanic community as part of a bid to expand financial inclusion.
Browse Topics
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 Lending Lag Is Real, And Here’s What Smaller Credit Unions Can Do About It
Callahan & Associates
Discover how small to midsize credit unions can weather the economic headwinds hitting their communities right now.
Fresh Risks For Financial Markets
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
What’s In A Name: AVP Of Member Insights
Aaron Passman
At Service Credit Union, Dave Widener connects data, strategy, and culture to shape better outcomes for members.
At Cardinal Credit Union, Small Investments Offer Big Financial Lessons
Aaron Passman
The Ohio-based cooperative has partnered with a fintech to offer fractional investing as part of its financial education curriculum in local schools.
How Compensation Blind Spots Impact CEO Retention And Succession
Callahan & Associates
Seven questions credit union board members should ask to ensure alignment on executive benefit plan goals.
What Makes Good AI Policy? Start With Curiosity And Accountability.
Marc Rapport
As credit unions move from experimentation to adoption, leaders offer firsthand knowledge on what separates weak policies from strong ones that actually work.
Governance And Guardrails Help Credit Unions Navigate AI
Aaron Passman
How Members Cooperative focuses on structure, oversight, and clear expectations to ensure AI supports, not undermines, long term strategy.
What’s In A Name: Chief AI Officer
Aaron Passman
As Hudson Valley Credit Union’s artificial intelligence chief, Preetha Sekharan holds a rare role in the industry, but it’s one that is likely to become far more common in the future.
Is Growth The Goal Or The Result?