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.
Vantage West Works A Side HUSTL
May 6, 2024
No Comments
The Arizona-based credit union’s new fintech venture is part of a broader segmentation trend across the financial services industry.
Mega Bank Skips Town, Premier America Steps In
April 29, 2024
No Comments
The cooperative boosts its standing with Southern California’s Hispanic community as part of a bid to expand financial inclusion.
Hyperlocal Help In The Golden State
April 29, 2024
No Comments
After conducting in-depth research on income disparity and wealth gaps throughout California, Golden 1 made a five-year, $10 million investment in a local community.
Where Are The Gaps In Financial Inclusion?
April 29, 2024
No Comments
Marginalized communities are largely unbanked or underserved, but credit unions can bolster inclusivity and enhance the financial wellbeing of these groups.
Earth Day Is Every Day For Green Lenders
April 22, 2024
No Comments
New stores of federal funding are now available to help credit unions cultivate a growing business in solar and more.
Green Lending: What Is Your ‘Why?’
April 22, 2024
No Comments
There are different motivations for delving into green lending, but five in particular apply to the strategic focus of credit unions.
Opportunities Abound For Veterans At A Kentucky Credit Union
April 15, 2024
No Comments
A program at Abound Credit Union has helped hundreds of would-be small business owners since its launch eight years ago.
The Power Of Business Lending And Services
April 15, 2024
No Comments
Two credit unions — one large, one smaller — offer insight from their experience serving the business community.
5 Valuable Governance Guidelines To Adopt Today
March 25, 2024
No Comments
Constructive action and positive impact are the product of a board engaged in servant leadership — the true calling of a Class A board.
A Board Full Of Bosses: CEOs Turn Challenges Into Opportunity
March 25, 2024
No Comments
From tweaking communication strategies to embracing diverse perspectives, here’s how three leaders are adjusting to new roles.
Vantage West Works A Side HUSTL
The Arizona-based credit union’s new fintech venture is part of a broader segmentation trend across the financial services industry.
Mega Bank Skips Town, Premier America Steps In
The cooperative boosts its standing with Southern California’s Hispanic community as part of a bid to expand financial inclusion.
Hyperlocal Help In The Golden State
After conducting in-depth research on income disparity and wealth gaps throughout California, Golden 1 made a five-year, $10 million investment in a local community.
Where Are The Gaps In Financial Inclusion?
Marginalized communities are largely unbanked or underserved, but credit unions can bolster inclusivity and enhance the financial wellbeing of these groups.
Earth Day Is Every Day For Green Lenders
New stores of federal funding are now available to help credit unions cultivate a growing business in solar and more.
Opportunities Abound For Veterans At A Kentucky Credit Union
A program at Abound Credit Union has helped hundreds of would-be small business owners since its launch eight years ago.
The Power Of Business Lending And Services
Two credit unions — one large, one smaller — offer insight from their experience serving the business community.
5 Valuable Governance Guidelines To Adopt Today
Constructive action and positive impact are the product of a board engaged in servant leadership — the true calling of a Class A board.
A Board Full Of Bosses: CEOs Turn Challenges Into Opportunity
From tweaking communication strategies to embracing diverse perspectives, here’s how three leaders are adjusting to new roles.
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.
Green Lending: What Is Your ‘Why?’