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.
Americans Need Financial Wellness More Than Ever
September 25, 2023
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New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows widening income gaps and rising poverty, illuminating the ongoing need for financial literacy programs from credit unions.
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.
Americans Need Financial Wellness More Than Ever
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows widening income gaps and rising poverty, illuminating the ongoing need for financial literacy programs from credit unions.
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.
Browse Topics
Innovation Only Goes So Far Without Internal Alignment
Marc Rapport
Coastal Credit Union evaluates fintech through the lens of member value, strategic growth, and organizational readiness to implement new ideas.
Why Legacy Institutions Must Evolve To Survive
Matt Kershaw
Long-term growth depends on pairing trusted community relationships with intentional investment in technology, leadership, and purpose.
Future Bets For Fintech
Rebecca Wessler
Credit unions are making decisions about where to build, invest, and partner as they balance today’s priorities with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Future Bets From Today’s Credit Unions
Marc Rapport
Industry leaders share how they approach fintech investment, balancing immediate needs with longer-term bets while keeping member value and mission at the center.
Competing For Gen Z, SMBs, And The Future Of Money
Callahan & Associates
Credit unions that enable seamless movement between fiat and digital assets position themselves as a trusted on- and off-ramp.
The Financial Readiness Gap: Credit Unions Evaluate It Every Day. But Who Builds It?
Callahan & Associates
The credit unions that win the next generation will be the ones that showed up early, when young members were forming habits and deciding whom to trust.
Defending Your Credit Union Against Fraud Means Fighting Fire With Smarter Fire
Callahan & Associates
The challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to adopt it responsibly with the right governance, the right partners, and the right balance between technology and human oversight.
Digital Assets Are Coming For Payments. Are Credit Unions Ready?
Andrew Lepczyk
McKinsey projects trillions of dollars in growth across digital assets, with money movement emerging as one of the biggest opportunities.
The Long Game For Fintech At FORUM Credit Union
Marc Rapport
The Indiana cooperative blends internal development with selective partnerships to meet members’ needs today now while positioning for what’s next.
Mission Fed Weighs Fintech Returns Against Real-World Fit
Marc Rapport
The San Diego cooperative leans on its CUSO and the CURQL network to make fintech investments, but member needs still guide which solutions ultimately make it into the credit union’s operations.