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.
Impact Strategies From March 2023
March 27, 2023
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A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
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.
Impact Strategies From March 2023
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
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.
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.