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.
Meet The Finalists For The 2025 Innovation Series: Financial Wellness
February 11, 2025
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This year’s financial wellness solutions provide inventive ways for credit unions to help members take control of their financial lives.
Say ‘Hello’ To Help
February 10, 2025
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A partnership between a North Florida credit union and United Way’s local 211 service addresses an array of social challenges while establishing the cooperative as a trusted local resource.
All Things CDFI In 2025
February 6, 2025
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Stay up-to-date with the latest changes, opportunities, and compliance requirements for CDFIs, including certification, grants, and legislative updates for 2025 and beyond.
From State Funds To Affordable Homes
February 3, 2025
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Heritage Family Credit Union launches a low-rate lending program to increase the availability of area affordable housing.
Michigan Microloans Empower Small Business Success
February 3, 2025
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Lake Trust Credit Union is driving statewide entrepreneurial spirit with a loan program that has provided more than $22 million in funding.
High Inflation Makes It Hard For Low-Income Workers To Budget
January 27, 2025
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As inflation reshapes budgets and deepens financial divides, it’s important for credit unions to step up with strategies that support members and tackle everyday challenges.
What’s In A Name: Director Of Multicultural Engagement
January 27, 2025
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Mountain America’s Jennifer Tarazon helps create quality member experiences, no matter a member’s background.
American 1 Promotes Financial Wellness From Shelter To Stability
January 27, 2025
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A partnership that helps the homeless wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the right people in the right seats — but that means more than just looking for the right work background.
How American 1 Helps The Homeless Get Back On Their Feet
January 27, 2025
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A partnership between the Michigan-based credit union and a local shelter is changing lives and gradually expanding to other parts of the state.
A Creative Mortgage Solution Helps Members Move Forward
January 20, 2025
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Wings Financial’s member-focused approach to lending helps it tackle high mortgage rates.
Meet The Finalists For The 2025 Innovation Series: Financial Wellness
This year’s financial wellness solutions provide inventive ways for credit unions to help members take control of their financial lives.
Say ‘Hello’ To Help
A partnership between a North Florida credit union and United Way’s local 211 service addresses an array of social challenges while establishing the cooperative as ...
All Things CDFI In 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest changes, opportunities, and compliance requirements for CDFIs, including certification, grants, and legislative updates for 2025 and beyond.
From State Funds To Affordable Homes
Heritage Family Credit Union launches a low-rate lending program to increase the availability of area affordable housing.
Michigan Microloans Empower Small Business Success
Lake Trust Credit Union is driving statewide entrepreneurial spirit with a loan program that has provided more than $22 million in funding.
High Inflation Makes It Hard For Low-Income Workers To Budget
As inflation reshapes budgets and deepens financial divides, it’s important for credit unions to step up with strategies that support members and tackle everyday challenges.
What’s In A Name: Director Of Multicultural Engagement
Mountain America’s Jennifer Tarazon helps create quality member experiences, no matter a member’s background.
American 1 Promotes Financial Wellness From Shelter To Stability
A partnership that helps the homeless wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the right people in the right seats — but that means more than ...
How American 1 Helps The Homeless Get Back On Their Feet
A partnership between the Michigan-based credit union and a local shelter is changing lives and gradually expanding to other parts of the state.
A Creative Mortgage Solution Helps Members Move Forward
Wings Financial’s member-focused approach to lending helps it tackle high mortgage rates.
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.
Why Legacy Institutions Must Evolve To Survive
Matt Kershaw
Long-term growth depends on pairing trusted community relationships with intentional investment in technology, leadership, and purpose.
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.