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.
Support For Women Leaders In The Badger State
March 6, 2023
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A one-day live summit and periodic virtual sessions are empowering women and ensuring their future in the movement.
Banking Desert? Not So Fast, Says Great Lakes Credit Union.
February 27, 2023
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While the cooperative is focused on filling financial services gaps in the Chicagoland area, a host of community partners are working to meet other needs.
CEO Onboarding: Tonita Webb, Verity Credit Union
February 21, 2023
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Showing up as her true self helped Tonita Webb navigate her first foray into the corner office as CEO of Seattle’s Verity Credit Union.
4Q22 Trendwatch
February 17, 2023
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Watch the recording of Trendwatch to learn about credit union performance trends gathered from 4Q 2022 data.
CEO Onboarding: Brian Waldron, Dort Financial Credit Union
February 13, 2023
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A newly minted chief executive uses intentional listening to build connections and spark growth at his Michigan cooperative.
Exit Interview: Dave Roughton, SAFE Credit Union
February 13, 2023
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From the coin vault to the corner office, Dave Roughton looks back on a career and to the future of an industry with impact in mind.
Tiny Houses Are Helping Redwood Credit Union Address A Big Problem
February 6, 2023
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The California-based cooperative is writing loans for small properties to help combat the affordable-housing crisis.
Impact Strategies From January 2023
January 30, 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.
CEO Onboarding: Laurie Butz, Capital Credit Union
January 23, 2023
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Listen before acting, and honor the past while embracing the future — words of wisdom to help a new chief executive settle into the role.
Time For A Rebrand? Spero Financial Knew Why, When, And How.
January 17, 2023
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After a market survey revealed cracks in the credit union’s brand equity and perception, Spero went all in on mission and values.
Support For Women Leaders In The Badger State
A one-day live summit and periodic virtual sessions are empowering women and ensuring their future in the movement.
Banking Desert? Not So Fast, Says Great Lakes Credit Union.
While the cooperative is focused on filling financial services gaps in the Chicagoland area, a host of community partners are working to meet other needs.
CEO Onboarding: Tonita Webb, Verity Credit Union
Showing up as her true self helped Tonita Webb navigate her first foray into the corner office as CEO of Seattle’s Verity Credit Union.
4Q22 Trendwatch
Watch the recording of Trendwatch to learn about credit union performance trends gathered from 4Q 2022 data.
CEO Onboarding: Brian Waldron, Dort Financial Credit Union
A newly minted chief executive uses intentional listening to build connections and spark growth at his Michigan cooperative.
Exit Interview: Dave Roughton, SAFE Credit Union
From the coin vault to the corner office, Dave Roughton looks back on a career and to the future of an industry with impact in ...
Tiny Houses Are Helping Redwood Credit Union Address A Big Problem
The California-based cooperative is writing loans for small properties to help combat the affordable-housing crisis.
Impact Strategies From January 2023
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
CEO Onboarding: Laurie Butz, Capital Credit Union
Listen before acting, and honor the past while embracing the future — words of wisdom to help a new chief executive settle into the role.
Time For A Rebrand? Spero Financial Knew Why, When, And How.
After a market survey revealed cracks in the credit union’s brand equity and perception, Spero went all in on mission and values.
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.