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.
A Safe Place For Members With Dementia
November 6, 2023
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A new designation is helping Landings Credit Union better serve a population projected to grow in coming years.
3 Trends At Low-Income And CDFI Credit Unions
October 30, 2023
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Designations focused on serving members of modest means can lead to vastly different financial outcomes for credit unions.
What’s In A Name: Director Of Community Homeownership Development
October 30, 2023
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WSECU creates a new role to take a holistic approach toward housing affordability in Seattle.
Back To School. Back To Work.
October 23, 2023
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A training program from Associated Credit Union clears a pathway from class to career.
Financial Wellbeing For Members. Financial Wellbeing For All.
October 16, 2023
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After offering financial wellbeing services to members for years, BCU recently created a CUSO and rolled out a mobile app that guides members and non-members alike through life’s financial milestones.
BCU Builds National Reach One Relationship At A Time
October 9, 2023
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The Illinois-based cooperative built its business around meeting the needs of some of Americas most admired companies. Deep relationships, diverse products, and a focus on financial wellbeing have helped BCU grow into one of the nation’s largest credit unions.
3 Key Questions For Strategic Planning
October 4, 2023
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As the industry heads to the close of a turbulent year, a few core questions can guide discussions around how to better serve members and communities.
Credit Unions Are Stepping Up Aid Offerings Amid Strikes
October 2, 2023
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Credit unions serving sectors impacted by work stoppages are rolling out offers to assist members facing economic hardship.
3 Ways To Better Serve Hispanic Members
October 2, 2023
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An inside look at how Unitus Community has built a holistic approach to service.
Equity In Lending Takes Center Stage For 2 Credit Unions
September 25, 2023
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A pilot program aims to increase access to credit for people of color by bringing together multiple lenders to share data and practices as well as explore new underwriting practices.
A Safe Place For Members With Dementia
A new designation is helping Landings Credit Union better serve a population projected to grow in coming years.
3 Trends At Low-Income And CDFI Credit Unions
Designations focused on serving members of modest means can lead to vastly different financial outcomes for credit unions.
What’s In A Name: Director Of Community Homeownership Development
WSECU creates a new role to take a holistic approach toward housing affordability in Seattle.
Back To School. Back To Work.
A training program from Associated Credit Union clears a pathway from class to career.
Financial Wellbeing For Members. Financial Wellbeing For All.
After offering financial wellbeing services to members for years, BCU recently created a CUSO and rolled out a mobile app that guides members and non-members ...
BCU Builds National Reach One Relationship At A Time
The Illinois-based cooperative built its business around meeting the needs of some of Americas most admired companies. Deep relationships, diverse products, and a focus on ...
Credit Unions Are Stepping Up Aid Offerings Amid Strikes
Credit unions serving sectors impacted by work stoppages are rolling out offers to assist members facing economic hardship.
3 Ways To Better Serve Hispanic Members
An inside look at how Unitus Community has built a holistic approach to service.
Equity In Lending Takes Center Stage For 2 Credit Unions
A pilot program aims to increase access to credit for people of color by bringing together multiple lenders to share data and practices as well ...
Browse Topics
What Makes Good AI Policy? Start With Curiosity And Accountability.
Marc Rapport
As credit unions move from experimentation to adoption, leaders offer firsthand knowledge on what separates weak policies from strong ones that actually work.
Governance And Guardrails Help Credit Unions Navigate AI
Aaron Passman
How Members Cooperative focuses on structure, oversight, and clear expectations to ensure AI supports, not undermines, long term strategy.
What’s In A Name: Chief AI Officer
Aaron Passman
As Hudson Valley Credit Union’s artificial intelligence chief, Preetha Sekharan holds a rare role in the industry, but it’s one that is likely to become far more common in the future.
All Eyes On AI
Aaron Passman
Artificial intelligence for credit unions has moved from a future concept to today’s full-fledged leadership and governance challenge.
The Callahan Guide To The 2026 Final Four
Tony Waltrich
What happens when credit union performance data meets March Madness? Callahan’s proprietary model breaks down state-level results to forecast who takes home the hardware.
A Rewards Program That Relies On Relationships, Not Usage
Savana Morie
Nuvision’s Added Advantage program tracks member engagement across the credit union, then rewards relationships through better pricing and other perks.
Innovations Financial Bets Big On Small Business Lending
Aaron Passman
CDFI grant funding helps the Florida cooperative offer microloans for small businesses after many banks pulled out of its market.
How Marine Credit Union Shifted Its Foundation From Siloed To Symbiotic
Savana Morie
By aligning governance, leadership, and day to day operations, Marine Credit Union transformed its foundation from a parallel operation into a visible extension of the credit union brand.
How Today’s Market Is Stress-Testing Credit Union And Bank Earnings Models
Andrew Lepczyk
Credit union and bank earnings reflect different business objectives. Those differences matter for how financial institutions serve their markets.
How Does BCU Put AI Policy Into Practice?
Marc Rapport
AI governance matters as much as innovation when it comes to AI. Learn how BCU built an AI practice that prioritizes data integrity, risk management, and real world decision making.
3 Key Questions For Strategic Planning