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.
Insights From The Outside: Christopher Hendry
January 20, 2025
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The IC Federal Credit Union chief reflects on how decades spent outside of financial services have shaped his approach to credit union leadership.
A Family Resource Center Gives Its Wyoming Community A ‘Boost’
January 13, 2025
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The Boost Center by Blue combines the work of local non-profits and Blue FCU to promote health, wealth, and happiness.
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.
3 Reasons Saving Money Is Difficult For Low-Income Americans
January 5, 2025
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Credit unions offer products and services to meet the distinct needs of low-income Americans; unfortunately, many people who need this assistance the most simply can’t or won’t access it.
At One Tennessee Credit Union, A Little Saving Goes A Long Way
January 5, 2025
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Set It & Forget It offers a low-barrier entrance to high-yield savings, helping members improve their savings habits.
Credit Unions Can Support Americans’ No. 1 New Year’s Resolution
January 1, 2025
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Consumers desperately want to save money, but an overwhelming majority say one or more obstacles stand in their way.
Best Of 2024: Driving Employee Engagement
December 23, 2024
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Employee engagement was a top credit union priority in 2024, as the industry worked to tackle challenges like mental health, financial wellness, change management, and more.
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.
Insights From The Outside: Christopher Hendry
The IC Federal Credit Union chief reflects on how decades spent outside of financial services have shaped his approach to credit union leadership.
A Family Resource Center Gives Its Wyoming Community A ‘Boost’
The Boost Center by Blue combines the work of local non-profits and Blue FCU to promote health, wealth, and happiness.
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.
3 Reasons Saving Money Is Difficult For Low-Income Americans
Credit unions offer products and services to meet the distinct needs of low-income Americans; unfortunately, many people who need this assistance the most simply can’t ...
At One Tennessee Credit Union, A Little Saving Goes A Long Way
Set It & Forget It offers a low-barrier entrance to high-yield savings, helping members improve their savings habits.
Credit Unions Can Support Americans’ No. 1 New Year’s Resolution
Consumers desperately want to save money, but an overwhelming majority say one or more obstacles stand in their way.
Best Of 2024: Driving Employee Engagement
Employee engagement was a top credit union priority in 2024, as the industry worked to tackle challenges like mental health, financial wellness, change management, and ...
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.
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.