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.
Study Highlights Racial Disparities In Housing Affordability Across America
June 19, 2023
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New data underscores how far minorities have to go to catch up.
A Credit Union Guide To Embracing Equity
June 13, 2023
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A look at the strategies cooperatives have deployed to create more effective diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs at their institutions and within their communities.
UMassFive Weighs In To Fight For Affordable Housing
June 12, 2023
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The Western Massachusetts cooperative is combatting inventory and financing hurdles with creative partnerships and innovative programs.
Credit Union Of Atlanta Offers 2 Approaches To Affordable Housing
May 30, 2023
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The cooperative’s down payment assistance and ground lease partnerships enable public employees to break free from a lifetime of renting.
Smarter Loans For Smarter Homes
May 30, 2023
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A new loan at Guadalupe Credit Union helps low-income homeowners save cash while increasing comfort.
A Path To Homeownership In The Wolverine State
May 30, 2023
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Community Financial Credit Union launches a new lending solution to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis.
BECU Busts Out Digital Envelopes To Help Members Build Savings
May 30, 2023
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The big cooperative puts a new spin on an old trick to help members build a savings discipline.
Margie Salazar On Leadership
May 30, 2023
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After 25 years at FirstLight FCU, Margie Salazar has taken over the corner office. Now, she’s sharing her take on leadership, culture, and community.
8 Steps For Building A Purpose-Driven Growth Strategy
May 30, 2023
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A well-defined purpose drives member and employee engagement, which in turn drives sustainable growth.
What’s In A Name: Chief Community And Public Affairs Officer
May 15, 2023
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Creighton Blackwell’s executive-level role at Coastal demonstrates the credit union’s focus on serving community from the highest level of the enterprise.
Study Highlights Racial Disparities In Housing Affordability Across America
New data underscores how far minorities have to go to catch up.
A Credit Union Guide To Embracing Equity
A look at the strategies cooperatives have deployed to create more effective diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs at their institutions and within their communities.
UMassFive Weighs In To Fight For Affordable Housing
The Western Massachusetts cooperative is combatting inventory and financing hurdles with creative partnerships and innovative programs.
Credit Union Of Atlanta Offers 2 Approaches To Affordable Housing
The cooperative’s down payment assistance and ground lease partnerships enable public employees to break free from a lifetime of renting.
Smarter Loans For Smarter Homes
A new loan at Guadalupe Credit Union helps low-income homeowners save cash while increasing comfort.
A Path To Homeownership In The Wolverine State
Community Financial Credit Union launches a new lending solution to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis.
BECU Busts Out Digital Envelopes To Help Members Build Savings
The big cooperative puts a new spin on an old trick to help members build a savings discipline.
Margie Salazar On Leadership
After 25 years at FirstLight FCU, Margie Salazar has taken over the corner office. Now, she’s sharing her take on leadership, culture, and community.
8 Steps For Building A Purpose-Driven Growth Strategy
A well-defined purpose drives member and employee engagement, which in turn drives sustainable growth.
What’s In A Name: Chief Community And Public Affairs Officer
Creighton Blackwell’s executive-level role at Coastal demonstrates the credit union’s focus on serving community from the highest level of the enterprise.
Browse Topics
Stable Economy. Strained Households.
Andrew Lepczyk
Wages briefly caught up with inflation, but rising costs have pushed them back into negative territory. Here’s what that shift means for member finances and credit union performance.
Fintech Grounded In Mission As Much As Market Opportunity
Marc Rapport
Suncoast Credit Union balances near-term needs with longer-term bets, applying discipline to timing, valuation, and fit to decide when to invest and when to walk away.
Industry Intelligence For Credit Union Leaders
Callahan & Associates
Looking for quarterly data coverage, expert analysis, lessons from leading credit unions, and more? Callahan has it covered. Comparing top-level performance and digging into the details has never been easier.
Cost Pressures Are Changing Member Behavior
Savana Morie
First quarter data shows how rising costs are pushing consumers toward flexibility and reshaping borrowing and saving habits.
WSECU Invests In Innovation To Solve Pain Points
Marc Rapport
A dedicated CUSO holding company allows WSECU to move beyond building and back fintech partners it helps shape and scale.
When Employees Own Culture, Service Follows
Savana Morie
Advancial FCU links internal service standards, employee feedback, and peer recognition to create a more consistent experience for both staff and members.
How MSUFCU Builds And Backs Fintech Solutions
Marc Rapport
MSUFCU takes a hands-on approach to fintech, piloting solutions through its in-house lab before scaling and backing them through a wholly owned CUSO.
Members Demand Digital, But They Want Branches, Too
Savana Morie
Affinity Plus FCU has a clear member service mantra: digital for daily, human when it’s hard. Its CEO and CFO share what that looks like in practice.
How A Holding Company Helps Service Credit Union Win At Fintech
Marc Rapport
The New Hampshire cooperative shares how its fintech arm, Service Ventures, evaluates investments, balances risk, and defines success.
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.