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.
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.
3 Tactics To Drive Economic Empowerment
September 18, 2023
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How a trio of California credit unions are helping communities and members take better control of their financial resources.
3 Ways To Reach Unbanked And Underbanked Households
September 11, 2023
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Bank On certified accounts fulfill the credit union mission while fortifying community partnerships.
Gesa Gives Students Meaningful Work Opportunities. Other Credit Unions Can, Too.
August 30, 2023
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An internship program launched more than 20 years ago provides financial education and career enhancement for Washington state high school students.
CEO Onboarding: Brandon Michaels, OneAZ Credit Union
August 28, 2023
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A veteran CEO is onboarded once again and shares how he — and the process — have evolved.
Making — And Measuring — A Difference In The Community
August 21, 2023
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Self-Help taps multiple perspectives and systems to tell a meaningful, compelling story about its accomplishments.
OneAZ Is Expanding Financial Access To The Underbanked. Here’s How.
August 14, 2023
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The Grand Canyon State cooperative is offering three new products to reach underbanked members and provide financial education for adults and young members alike.
Micro Grants. Major Support.
July 31, 2023
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A microgrant program from Verity Credit Union lifts up local nonprofits and other organizations.
Navigating Liquidity In Testing Times: Insights From Leaders Credit Union
July 24, 2023
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The Tennessee cooperative uses a “balanced balance sheet approach” to ensure steady growth in lending and deposits.
Inside The Connecticut League’s Approach To Media, Young Members, And More
July 10, 2023
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In this exclusive video, league CEO Bruce Adams and others provide a glimpse into the trade group’s strategies around advocacy, public relations, and why there’s a better term than “the credit union difference.”
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 ...
3 Tactics To Drive Economic Empowerment
How a trio of California credit unions are helping communities and members take better control of their financial resources.
3 Ways To Reach Unbanked And Underbanked Households
Bank On certified accounts fulfill the credit union mission while fortifying community partnerships.
Gesa Gives Students Meaningful Work Opportunities. Other Credit Unions Can, Too.
An internship program launched more than 20 years ago provides financial education and career enhancement for Washington state high school students.
CEO Onboarding: Brandon Michaels, OneAZ Credit Union
A veteran CEO is onboarded once again and shares how he — and the process — have evolved.
Making — And Measuring — A Difference In The Community
Self-Help taps multiple perspectives and systems to tell a meaningful, compelling story about its accomplishments.
OneAZ Is Expanding Financial Access To The Underbanked. Here’s How.
The Grand Canyon State cooperative is offering three new products to reach underbanked members and provide financial education for adults and young members alike.
Micro Grants. Major Support.
A microgrant program from Verity Credit Union lifts up local nonprofits and other organizations.
Navigating Liquidity In Testing Times: Insights From Leaders Credit Union
The Tennessee cooperative uses a “balanced balance sheet approach” to ensure steady growth in lending and deposits.
Inside The Connecticut League’s Approach To Media, Young Members, And More
In this exclusive video, league CEO Bruce Adams and others provide a glimpse into the trade group's strategies around advocacy, public relations, and why there's ...
Browse Topics
What’s Next For Credit Union Earnings?
Omar Shalabi
As margin support begins to fade, earnings performance is becoming more sensitive to revenue mix and harder to interpret through public reporting alone.
The Lending Lag Is Real, And Here’s What Smaller Credit Unions Can Do About It
Callahan & Associates
Discover how small to midsize credit unions can weather the economic headwinds hitting their communities right now.
Fresh Risks For Financial Markets
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
What’s In A Name: AVP Of Member Insights
Aaron Passman
At Service Credit Union, Dave Widener connects data, strategy, and culture to shape better outcomes for members.
At Cardinal Credit Union, Small Investments Offer Big Financial Lessons
Aaron Passman
The Ohio-based cooperative has partnered with a fintech to offer fractional investing as part of its financial education curriculum in local schools.
How Compensation Blind Spots Impact CEO Retention And Succession
Callahan & Associates
Seven questions credit union board members should ask to ensure alignment on executive benefit plan goals.
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.