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.
Equity In Lending Takes Center Stage For 2 Credit Unions
September 25, 2023
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A pilot program aims to increase access to credit for people of color by bringing together multiple lenders to share data and practices as well as explore new underwriting practices.
3 Tactics To Drive Economic Empowerment
September 18, 2023
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How a trio of California credit unions are helping communities and members take better control of their financial resources.
3 Ways To Reach Unbanked And Underbanked Households
September 11, 2023
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Bank On certified accounts fulfill the credit union mission while fortifying community partnerships.
Gesa Gives Students Meaningful Work Opportunities. Other Credit Unions Can, Too.
August 30, 2023
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An internship program launched more than 20 years ago provides financial education and career enhancement for Washington state high school students.
CEO Onboarding: Brandon Michaels, OneAZ Credit Union
August 28, 2023
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A veteran CEO is onboarded once again and shares how he — and the process — have evolved.
Making — And Measuring — A Difference In The Community
August 21, 2023
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Self-Help taps multiple perspectives and systems to tell a meaningful, compelling story about its accomplishments.
OneAZ Is Expanding Financial Access To The Underbanked. Here’s How.
August 14, 2023
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The Grand Canyon State cooperative is offering three new products to reach underbanked members and provide financial education for adults and young members alike.
Micro Grants. Major Support.
July 31, 2023
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A microgrant program from Verity Credit Union lifts up local nonprofits and other organizations.
Navigating Liquidity In Testing Times: Insights From Leaders Credit Union
July 24, 2023
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The Tennessee cooperative uses a “balanced balance sheet approach” to ensure steady growth in lending and deposits.
Inside The Connecticut League’s Approach To Media, Young Members, And More
July 10, 2023
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In this exclusive video, league CEO Bruce Adams and others provide a glimpse into the trade group’s strategies around advocacy, public relations, and why there’s a better term than “the credit union difference.”
Equity In Lending Takes Center Stage For 2 Credit Unions
A pilot program aims to increase access to credit for people of color by bringing together multiple lenders to share data and practices as well ...
3 Tactics To Drive Economic Empowerment
How a trio of California credit unions are helping communities and members take better control of their financial resources.
3 Ways To Reach Unbanked And Underbanked Households
Bank On certified accounts fulfill the credit union mission while fortifying community partnerships.
Gesa Gives Students Meaningful Work Opportunities. Other Credit Unions Can, Too.
An internship program launched more than 20 years ago provides financial education and career enhancement for Washington state high school students.
CEO Onboarding: Brandon Michaels, OneAZ Credit Union
A veteran CEO is onboarded once again and shares how he — and the process — have evolved.
Making — And Measuring — A Difference In The Community
Self-Help taps multiple perspectives and systems to tell a meaningful, compelling story about its accomplishments.
OneAZ Is Expanding Financial Access To The Underbanked. Here’s How.
The Grand Canyon State cooperative is offering three new products to reach underbanked members and provide financial education for adults and young members alike.
Micro Grants. Major Support.
A microgrant program from Verity Credit Union lifts up local nonprofits and other organizations.
Navigating Liquidity In Testing Times: Insights From Leaders Credit Union
The Tennessee cooperative uses a “balanced balance sheet approach” to ensure steady growth in lending and deposits.
Inside The Connecticut League’s Approach To Media, Young Members, And More
In this exclusive video, league CEO Bruce Adams and others provide a glimpse into the trade group's strategies around advocacy, public relations, and why there's ...
Browse Topics
Growth Is A Mindset, But Success Is In The Contract
Callahan & Associates
Arriba Advisors co-founder Tom Russell explores how credit unions can bridge the gap between a growth mindset and their technical reality.
Fraud Is Faster, Smarter, And Harder To Stop. Here’s How To.
Callahan & Associates
RKL offers insight, expertise, and experience to help fight off growing threats.
The Numbers Are Good. The Moment Is Hard.
William Hunt
Members are anxious about their financial futures, even as credit unions remain financially strong. Institutions that respond to this moment can make 2026 a turning point.
Wages Are Growing. Wallets Are Not.
Sherry Virden
Global events are flowing directly into household budgets, reshaping how credit union members save, borrow, and cope. Such trends don’t always show up in headline data.
Credit Unions Are Having A Margin Moment
Tony Waltrich
Credit unions are benefiting from a rare margin advantage as loans reprice slower than deposits. The question now is how institutions will use that strength to better serve members.
Where Have All The Members Gone?
Omar Shalabi
Membership growth is slowing, but financial activity is not. What does the modern financial relationship look like?
5 Takeaways From First Quarter Credit Union Performance Data
William Hunt
Inflation, war, and uncertain futures have reshaped members’ needs in 2026. What does credit union performance data from the first quarter of 2026 say about household budgets, inflation pressures, and more?
New Highs For Equity Markets Despite Iran And Oil Prices
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
New Graduates Face A Cautious Job-Hiring Landscape
Tony Waltrich
Today’s job market is shaped by skills based expectations, with employers slowing entry level hiring and placing greater emphasis on applied experience.
A Credit Union Journey Into Cryptocurrency And Stablecoins
Savana Morie
St. Cloud Financial is betting on digital assets to protect member relationships and future relevance. It’s picked up lessons for other leaders along the way.