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 Giant Leap For Small Businesses In The Tennessee Valley
March 27, 2023
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Tennessee Valley FCU is expanding a small business program by giving away $175,000 in the Chattanooga, Cleveland, and northwest Georgia areas.
Exit Interview: Tracie Kenyon, Montana’s Credit Unions
March 27, 2023
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Montana’s Credit Unions’ longtime leader leaves a legacy of service, collaboration, and independence.
Governance, Leadership, Responsibility … Strategy!
March 20, 2023
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As spring planning sessions get underway, these are the questions credit union leaders need to be asking to ensure maximum impact.
‘Unbanked’ Rate Declines But Challenges Remain
March 20, 2023
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More consumers are entering the mainstream banking system, but more than a quarter of loan applicants say they aren’t getting the funds they need.
A Path To Affordable Homeownership For Military Members
March 20, 2023
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An initiative from VyStar Credit Union aims to give back to those who have served the country by making it easier for them to afford a home.
In A Push For Liquidity, GTE Financial Rolls Out Business Services Built For Nonprofits
March 20, 2023
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The Tampa cooperative is reducing and eliminating fees to help charities do more good while building its own lending reserves.
How Is A Microloan Program In New Mexico Reshaping The Small Business Landscape?
March 8, 2023
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Now in its fifth year, a small business lending initiative from Nusenda has helped stabilize economies across the state with more than 300 loans totaling more than $2 million.
CEO Onboarding: James McBride, Lion’s Share Federal Credit Union
March 7, 2023
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Transparency, empowerment, and clarity of mission helped James McBride make the most of his first year as chief executive.
Exit Interview: Maurice Smith, Local Government FCU
March 7, 2023
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A half-century of service hasn’t come completely to an end for this pioneer of credit union innovation and diversity.
4 Fundamental Elements Every Spring Strategy Session Needs
March 7, 2023
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Fall business planning sessions are operational in nature. Spring strategy sessions are all about relevance and impact.
A Giant Leap For Small Businesses In The Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley FCU is expanding a small business program by giving away $175,000 in the Chattanooga, Cleveland, and northwest Georgia areas.
Exit Interview: Tracie Kenyon, Montana’s Credit Unions
Montana’s Credit Unions’ longtime leader leaves a legacy of service, collaboration, and independence.
Governance, Leadership, Responsibility … Strategy!
As spring planning sessions get underway, these are the questions credit union leaders need to be asking to ensure maximum impact.
‘Unbanked’ Rate Declines But Challenges Remain
More consumers are entering the mainstream banking system, but more than a quarter of loan applicants say they aren’t getting the funds they need.
A Path To Affordable Homeownership For Military Members
An initiative from VyStar Credit Union aims to give back to those who have served the country by making it easier for them to afford ...
In A Push For Liquidity, GTE Financial Rolls Out Business Services Built For Nonprofits
The Tampa cooperative is reducing and eliminating fees to help charities do more good while building its own lending reserves.
How Is A Microloan Program In New Mexico Reshaping The Small Business Landscape?
Now in its fifth year, a small business lending initiative from Nusenda has helped stabilize economies across the state with more than 300 loans totaling ...
CEO Onboarding: James McBride, Lion’s Share Federal Credit Union
Transparency, empowerment, and clarity of mission helped James McBride make the most of his first year as chief executive.
Exit Interview: Maurice Smith, Local Government FCU
A half-century of service hasn’t come completely to an end for this pioneer of credit union innovation and diversity.
4 Fundamental Elements Every Spring Strategy Session Needs
Fall business planning sessions are operational in nature. Spring strategy sessions are all about relevance and impact.
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.