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.
Elderly Financial Exploitation Is A Growing Problem. Here’s How To Help.
December 12, 2022
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Two credit unions and their regulator share their experience and best practices as isolation and vulnerability take their toll.
Soldiers Sample A Credit Union Career At AmeriCU
December 12, 2022
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An internship program at the New York cooperative helps military members transition into the civilian workforce.
Small Change Makes A Big Difference At St. Mary’s
December 5, 2022
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The New Hampshire credit union’s 603 checking program will donate up to $20,000 to four area charities in its first year alone.
A Big Day Of Giving For Golden 1 Credit Union
November 28, 2022
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Along with GivingTuesday, the California cooperative takes part in an annual Sacramento-based event that supports local nonprofits.
What Does An Environmental Engineer Do In Financial Services?
November 28, 2022
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At Clearwater Credit Union, an unusual hire is forging new ground based on core values and the triple bottom line.
Impact Strategies From November 2022
November 28, 2022
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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.
Credit Unions Pivot In Response To Rising Rates (Part 2)
November 28, 2022
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Credit unions balance agility and liquidity as they raise rates on what they pay and what they lend while keeping an eye on members’ financial welfare.
Credit Unions Pivot In Response To Rising Rates (Part 1)
November 21, 2022
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Credit unions balance agility and liquidity as they raise rates on what they pay and what they lend while keeping an eye on members’ financial welfare.
4 Ways To Support Small Businesses Every Saturday
November 21, 2022
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No need to wait until Nov. 26, credit unions can back local businesses any day off the year.
3 Ways To Give Thanks For Members … And 1 Way To Appreciate Employees
November 21, 2022
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Rising rates, soaring inflation, and an unstable economy could make for a grim holiday season, but CreditUnions.com has inspiring stories of credit unions bringing joy to others.
Elderly Financial Exploitation Is A Growing Problem. Here’s How To Help.
Two credit unions and their regulator share their experience and best practices as isolation and vulnerability take their toll.
Soldiers Sample A Credit Union Career At AmeriCU
An internship program at the New York cooperative helps military members transition into the civilian workforce.
Small Change Makes A Big Difference At St. Mary’s
The New Hampshire credit union’s 603 checking program will donate up to $20,000 to four area charities in its first year alone.
A Big Day Of Giving For Golden 1 Credit Union
Along with GivingTuesday, the California cooperative takes part in an annual Sacramento-based event that supports local nonprofits.
What Does An Environmental Engineer Do In Financial Services?
At Clearwater Credit Union, an unusual hire is forging new ground based on core values and the triple bottom line.
Impact Strategies From November 2022
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
Credit Unions Pivot In Response To Rising Rates (Part 2)
Credit unions balance agility and liquidity as they raise rates on what they pay and what they lend while keeping an eye on members’ financial ...
Credit Unions Pivot In Response To Rising Rates (Part 1)
Credit unions balance agility and liquidity as they raise rates on what they pay and what they lend while keeping an eye on members’ financial ...
4 Ways To Support Small Businesses Every Saturday
No need to wait until Nov. 26, credit unions can back local businesses any day off the year.
3 Ways To Give Thanks For Members … And 1 Way To Appreciate Employees
Rising rates, soaring inflation, and an unstable economy could make for a grim holiday season, but CreditUnions.com has inspiring stories of credit unions bringing joy ...
Browse Topics
Why Financial Empowerment Matters More Than Financial Literacy
Savana Morie
Alltru FCU stopped treating education as the end goal. Now, financial empowerment guides product design, access, and risk decisions.
42% Of U.S. Households Experience Financial Hardship
Tony Waltrich
More than 50 million U.S. households earn less than the minimum average income needed to cover basic costs of living.
Excite Foundation Breaks Down Barriers For Children’s Savings
Savana Morie
Automatic enrollment and community partnerships help the credit union foundation expand access to early savings for underserved families.
Consumers Are Financing The Future Any Way They Can
Aaron Passman
Recent studies show credit card debt and Buy Now, Pay Later usage continue to rise. Bigger increases could be around the corner.
Credit Human Redefines ‘Green’ In The Heart Of Texas
Savana Morie
The credit union completed a three acre headquarters campus in 2021 that offers 52% more space while consuming a fraction of the resources. It’s a model of how cooperatives can lead on sustainability without sacrificing performance.
CDFIs By The Numbers
Omar Shalabi
CDFI credit unions might be fewer in number, but their impact reaches millions of members, and their footprint highlights how targeted mission can translate into broad, measurable reach.
Serving The Underserved Without Accepting Preventable Fraud Losses
Callahan & Associates
Preventable fraud losses quietly erode credit union margins. The difference between a 25% and 6% loss rate isn’t risk. It’s execution.
Inside An In-School Model That Links Classrooms With College And Careers
Savana Morie
Holy Rosary Credit Union has embedded itself into a local high school’s career and technical education program, offering scholarships, internships, and courses eligible for college credit.
6 Credit Union Executive Priorities For 2026
Jay Johnson
Credit union leaders want to know where peers are placing their focus. These six priorities reflect how leadership teams are responding to change with intention and clarity.
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.