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.
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.
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 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 ...
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.
Browse Topics
Why Financial Empowerment Matters More Than Financial Literacy
Savana Morie
Alltru FCU stopped treating education as the end goal. Now, financial empowerment guides product design, access, and risk decisions.
42% Of U.S. Households Experience Financial Hardship
Tony Waltrich
More than 50 million U.S. households earn less than the minimum average income needed to cover basic costs of living.
Excite Foundation Breaks Down Barriers For Children’s Savings
Savana Morie
Automatic enrollment and community partnerships help the credit union foundation expand access to early savings for underserved families.
Credit Human Redefines ‘Green’ In The Heart Of Texas
Savana Morie
The credit union completed a three acre headquarters campus in 2021 that offers 52% more space while consuming a fraction of the resources. It’s a model of how cooperatives can lead on sustainability without sacrificing performance.
CDFIs By The Numbers
Omar Shalabi
CDFI credit unions might be fewer in number, but their impact reaches millions of members, and their footprint highlights how targeted mission can translate into broad, measurable reach.
Serving The Underserved Without Accepting Preventable Fraud Losses
Callahan & Associates
Preventable fraud losses quietly erode credit union margins. The difference between a 25% and 6% loss rate isn’t risk. It’s execution.
Inside An In-School Model That Links Classrooms With College And Careers
Savana Morie
Holy Rosary Credit Union has embedded itself into a local high school’s career and technical education program, offering scholarships, internships, and courses eligible for college credit.
6 Credit Union Executive Priorities For 2026
Jay Johnson
Credit union leaders want to know where peers are placing their focus. These six priorities reflect how leadership teams are responding to change with intention and clarity.
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 Great Wealth Transfer Is Also A Relationship Transfer
Savana Morie
Harvard FCU combines digital estate planning with human financial guidance to support positive, proactive wealth transfer across generations.
3 Key Questions For Strategic Planning