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.
7 Ways To Gain A Wider Reach With A Narrow Field Of Membership
October 14, 2024
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Niche credit unions don’t let eligibility requirements hinder innovation or growth.
Are Community Charters The Key To Relevancy?
October 14, 2024
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Two credit unions from Nebraska and Michigan have adapted their membership models to serve a broader, more diverse base.
How To Help Gen Z Combat The ‘Vibecession’
September 30, 2024
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The economy feels pretty bleak to young consumers, with homeownership seeming permanently out of reach. Some credit unions are taking steps to combat that pessimism.
Transcend’s Teen Account Banks On The Future
September 30, 2024
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A mix of account features, parental involvement, and financial education are all helping the Kentucky cooperative narrow its generation gap.
What’s In A Name: Member Care Specialist
September 30, 2024
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Jay Hall’s role at Fortera Federal Credit Union helps families properly settle accounts after a member has passed away.
Redwood Credit Union Serves Up More Than Financial Services
September 23, 2024
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The California cooperative has partnered with a catering company to open a café in its two headquarters buildings, offering fresh, affordable food to the public.
UFCU’s Mobile Branch Drives Financial Sense In Underserved Communities
September 23, 2024
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The Texas credit union is extending financial services and resources to geographical areas with limited or no banking presence.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Fad Or The Future?
September 9, 2024
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BNPL programs have become a key player in the financial landscape, with some credit unions adopting their own version for their members.
KPIs Kick Good Will Into High Gear
September 2, 2024
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From Knoxville to Nome, credit unions are attaching hard numbers to community impact and taking their philanthropy further than ever before.
A Blueprint To Build Better Volunteers
September 2, 2024
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A three-year-old program at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union prepares team members to participate on local boards and committees.
7 Ways To Gain A Wider Reach With A Narrow Field Of Membership
Niche credit unions don’t let eligibility requirements hinder innovation or growth.
Are Community Charters The Key To Relevancy?
Two credit unions from Nebraska and Michigan have adapted their membership models to serve a broader, more diverse base.
How To Help Gen Z Combat The ‘Vibecession’
The economy feels pretty bleak to young consumers, with homeownership seeming permanently out of reach. Some credit unions are taking steps to combat that pessimism.
Transcend’s Teen Account Banks On The Future
A mix of account features, parental involvement, and financial education are all helping the Kentucky cooperative narrow its generation gap.
What’s In A Name: Member Care Specialist
Jay Hall’s role at Fortera Federal Credit Union helps families properly settle accounts after a member has passed away.
Redwood Credit Union Serves Up More Than Financial Services
The California cooperative has partnered with a catering company to open a café in its two headquarters buildings, offering fresh, affordable food to the public.
UFCU’s Mobile Branch Drives Financial Sense In Underserved Communities
The Texas credit union is extending financial services and resources to geographical areas with limited or no banking presence.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Fad Or The Future?
BNPL programs have become a key player in the financial landscape, with some credit unions adopting their own version for their members.
KPIs Kick Good Will Into High Gear
From Knoxville to Nome, credit unions are attaching hard numbers to community impact and taking their philanthropy further than ever before.
A Blueprint To Build Better Volunteers
A three-year-old program at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union prepares team members to participate on local boards and committees.
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.