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 Unofficial Credit Union Anthem
December 9, 2024
No Comments
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
No Comments
Recruitment and retention, emotional loyalty, and more were key topics during the second day of the Austin event.
Financial Stress Is Cutting Into Worker Productivity
November 25, 2024
No Comments
Recent data shows rising levels of employee stress, but people are becoming more comfortable asking for help dealing with those worries.
Holistic Wellness Finds A Home In Credit Unions
November 18, 2024
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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.
Mortgages For The Military, Members For Life
November 11, 2024
No Comments
Credit union leaders share how they navigate a successful VA loan program and address challenges veterans face.
Anthony Hernandez On Leadership
November 11, 2024
No Comments
The president and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council discusses similarities between the military and credit unions, the benefits of the “OODA loop,” and more.
From Service To Stability: Exploring Veterans’ Financial Wellbeing And Opportunities For Credit Unions
November 11, 2024
No Comments
Veterans reported higher levels of financial wellbeing than the average U.S. adult in a CFPB survey, but credit unions have room to help those experiencing hardship.
Physical Branch, Digital Service
November 3, 2024
No Comments
Affinity Plus builds member engagement by focusing equally on a modern brick-and-mortar network plus the latest technologies for members and staff alike.
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.
Financial Stress Is Cutting Into Worker Productivity
Recent data shows rising levels of employee stress, but people are becoming more comfortable asking for help dealing with those worries.
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 ...
Mortgages For The Military, Members For Life
Credit union leaders share how they navigate a successful VA loan program and address challenges veterans face.
Anthony Hernandez On Leadership
The president and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council discusses similarities between the military and credit unions, the benefits of the “OODA loop,” and ...
From Service To Stability: Exploring Veterans’ Financial Wellbeing And Opportunities For Credit Unions
Veterans reported higher levels of financial wellbeing than the average U.S. adult in a CFPB survey, but credit unions have room to help those experiencing ...
Physical Branch, Digital Service
Affinity Plus builds member engagement by focusing equally on a modern brick-and-mortar network plus the latest technologies for members and staff alike.
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.
The Unofficial Credit Union Anthem