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.
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.
Mortgages For The Military, Members For Life
November 11, 2024
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Credit union leaders share how they navigate a successful VA loan program and address challenges veterans face.
Anthony Hernandez On Leadership
November 11, 2024
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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
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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
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Affinity Plus builds member engagement by focusing equally on a modern brick-and-mortar network plus the latest technologies for members and staff alike.
Why Do Banking Deserts Exist? How Can Credit Unions Fix Them?
November 3, 2024
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Understanding what constitutes a banking desert can help credit unions determine branching and outreach strategies for underserved communities.
How Well Do You Know U.S. Consumer Sentiment?
October 28, 2024
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Take this short quiz to test your knowledge of Americans’ economic opinions, habits, and more.
Empathy Is A Credit Union’s Secret Weapon
October 27, 2024
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A mix of quality people and customizable services help members through economic uncertainty.
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.
Why Do Banking Deserts Exist? How Can Credit Unions Fix Them?
Understanding what constitutes a banking desert can help credit unions determine branching and outreach strategies for underserved communities.
How Well Do You Know U.S. Consumer Sentiment?
Take this short quiz to test your knowledge of Americans’ economic opinions, habits, and more.
Empathy Is A Credit Union’s Secret Weapon
A mix of quality people and customizable services help members through economic uncertainty.
Browse Topics
Fintech Grounded In Mission As Much As Market Opportunity
Marc Rapport
Suncoast Credit Union balances near-term needs with longer-term bets, applying discipline to timing, valuation, and fit to decide when to invest and when to walk away.
Industry Intelligence For Credit Union Leaders
Callahan & Associates
Looking for quarterly data coverage, expert analysis, lessons from leading credit unions, and more? Callahan has it covered. Comparing top-level performance and digging into the details has never been easier.
Cost Pressures Are Changing Member Behavior
Savana Morie
First quarter data shows how rising costs are pushing consumers toward flexibility and reshaping borrowing and saving habits.
WSECU Invests In Innovation To Solve Pain Points
Marc Rapport
A dedicated CUSO holding company allows WSECU to move beyond building and back fintech partners it helps shape and scale.
When Employees Own Culture, Service Follows
Savana Morie
Advancial FCU links internal service standards, employee feedback, and peer recognition to create a more consistent experience for both staff and members.
How MSUFCU Builds And Backs Fintech Solutions
Marc Rapport
MSUFCU takes a hands-on approach to fintech, piloting solutions through its in-house lab before scaling and backing them through a wholly owned CUSO.
Members Demand Digital, But They Want Branches, Too
Savana Morie
Affinity Plus FCU has a clear member service mantra: digital for daily, human when it’s hard. Its CEO and CFO share what that looks like in practice.
How A Holding Company Helps Service Credit Union Win At Fintech
Marc Rapport
The New Hampshire cooperative shares how its fintech arm, Service Ventures, evaluates investments, balances risk, and defines success.
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.
AI Adoption Is Growing. Are Credit Unions Keeping Pace?
Andrew Lepczyk
New data from Gallup shows half of all employees who work for companies that pay for AI tools use them. Credit unions are building their own momentum.