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.
Home Ownership Is Out Of Reach
June 26, 2023
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Housing is less affordable today than it was before the 2008 housing crisis. How did we get here? And how can credit unions help?
‘Pathway’ Products Help Members Connect With What Matters Most
June 19, 2023
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Connex Credit Union accelerates its service after 80 years of helping working folks fare better.
Study Highlights Racial Disparities In Housing Affordability Across America
June 19, 2023
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New data underscores how far minorities have to go to catch up.
A Credit Union Guide To Embracing Equity
June 13, 2023
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A look at the strategies cooperatives have deployed to create more effective diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs at their institutions and within their communities.
UMassFive Weighs In To Fight For Affordable Housing
June 12, 2023
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The Western Massachusetts cooperative is combatting inventory and financing hurdles with creative partnerships and innovative programs.
Credit Union Of Atlanta Offers 2 Approaches To Affordable Housing
May 30, 2023
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The cooperative’s down payment assistance and ground lease partnerships enable public employees to break free from a lifetime of renting.
Smarter Loans For Smarter Homes
May 30, 2023
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A new loan at Guadalupe Credit Union helps low-income homeowners save cash while increasing comfort.
A Path To Homeownership In The Wolverine State
May 30, 2023
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Community Financial Credit Union launches a new lending solution to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis.
Margie Salazar On Leadership
May 30, 2023
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After 25 years at FirstLight FCU, Margie Salazar has taken over the corner office. Now, she’s sharing her take on leadership, culture, and community.
8 Steps For Building A Purpose-Driven Growth Strategy
May 30, 2023
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A well-defined purpose drives member and employee engagement, which in turn drives sustainable growth.
Home Ownership Is Out Of Reach
Housing is less affordable today than it was before the 2008 housing crisis. How did we get here? And how can credit unions help?
‘Pathway’ Products Help Members Connect With What Matters Most
Connex Credit Union accelerates its service after 80 years of helping working folks fare better.
Study Highlights Racial Disparities In Housing Affordability Across America
New data underscores how far minorities have to go to catch up.
A Credit Union Guide To Embracing Equity
A look at the strategies cooperatives have deployed to create more effective diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs at their institutions and within their communities.
UMassFive Weighs In To Fight For Affordable Housing
The Western Massachusetts cooperative is combatting inventory and financing hurdles with creative partnerships and innovative programs.
Credit Union Of Atlanta Offers 2 Approaches To Affordable Housing
The cooperative’s down payment assistance and ground lease partnerships enable public employees to break free from a lifetime of renting.
Smarter Loans For Smarter Homes
A new loan at Guadalupe Credit Union helps low-income homeowners save cash while increasing comfort.
A Path To Homeownership In The Wolverine State
Community Financial Credit Union launches a new lending solution to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis.
Margie Salazar On Leadership
After 25 years at FirstLight FCU, Margie Salazar has taken over the corner office. Now, she’s sharing her take on leadership, culture, and community.
8 Steps For Building A Purpose-Driven Growth Strategy
A well-defined purpose drives member and employee engagement, which in turn drives sustainable growth.
Browse Topics
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.
The Case For Marketing That Doesn’t Lead With The Credit Union
Savana Morie
Whitefish Credit Union barely mentions itself in its member stories. Instead, its high-quality video storytelling spotlights people, businesses, and communities, building trust, advocacy, and impact that don’t always show up in traditional ROI metrics.
Exit Interview: Deb Vollmer
Aaron Passman
The retired Langley FCU executive looks back on a career shaped by industry change, evolving leadership responsibility, and a constant focus on serving members first.
How Affinity FCU Became A Financial First Responder
Callahan & Associates
The New Jersey-New York metro credit union shares how a wellbeing-led strategy ensures members know where to turn first when life gets difficult.
Running With Scissors: The Bold Side Of Personalization
Callahan & Associates
To become skilled at personalization, credit unions must stop making assumptions about what resonates with members and start leveraging data to be sure.
A Short Guide To Compliance With The New Succession Planning Rule
Jennie Boden
Check all the right boxes while tying your credit union compliance efforts to strategy.
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.