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.
The Power Behind A ‘Strong’ Rebrand
October 10, 2022
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A charter change and FOM expansion prompted Kern Schools FCU to rebrand as Valley Strong, but it’s a new growth mindset that has turned the cooperative into a financial force.
Fighting Food Insecurity 1 Financial Lesson At A Time
October 10, 2022
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A pilot program is making financial literacy information available in food banks as part of a long-term push by the league to fight food insecurity statewide.
How 1 Foundation Tackles 2 Mandates
October 10, 2022
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A new foundation from Excite Credit Union focuses on disaster relief and college savings to support its markets in California and North Carolina.
Impact Strategies From September 2022
September 26, 2022
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A look inside strategies and programs that are helping credit unions of all sizes make a difference in the communities they serve.
School Branches Earn High Grades For This Ohio Cooperative
September 26, 2022
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Atomic Credit Union helps students build savings and careers as it increases visibility through its 58 school branches.
Service Puts Financial Wellness In Members’ Pockets
September 26, 2022
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The financial atmosphere is changing. A decline in in-person transactions is leaving credit union staffers with fewer face-to-face opportunities to talk with members about financial planning and wellness. And the rise of non-traditional resources for investment and savings advice tempting resources that young people are turning to more often, according to a recent national survey
Adding Fun To Financial Education
September 26, 2022
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Abound Credit Union’s in-house curriculum meets state requirements while engaging and entertaining young students.
An Inside Look At Organizational Change
September 19, 2022
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Methodologies to manage change abound, but these two credit unions have best practices and lessons learned that can apply to everyone.
Clearwater Embraces Its CDFI Status
September 5, 2022
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Leaders of the Montana cooperative discuss the importance of the credit union’s certification as a community development financial institution and how that status dovetails with the institution’s broader mission.
Impact Strategies From August 2022
August 29, 2022
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A look back at recent stories of how credit unions are making a difference in the communities they serve.
The Power Behind A ‘Strong’ Rebrand
A charter change and FOM expansion prompted Kern Schools FCU to rebrand as Valley Strong, but it’s a new growth mindset that has turned the ...
Fighting Food Insecurity 1 Financial Lesson At A Time
A pilot program is making financial literacy information available in food banks as part of a long-term push by the league to fight food insecurity ...
How 1 Foundation Tackles 2 Mandates
A new foundation from Excite Credit Union focuses on disaster relief and college savings to support its markets in California and North Carolina.
Impact Strategies From September 2022
A look inside strategies and programs that are helping credit unions of all sizes make a difference in the communities they serve.
School Branches Earn High Grades For This Ohio Cooperative
Atomic Credit Union helps students build savings and careers as it increases visibility through its 58 school branches.
Service Puts Financial Wellness In Members’ Pockets
The financial atmosphere is changing. A decline in in-person transactions is leaving credit union staffers with fewer face-to-face opportunities to talk with members about financial ...
Adding Fun To Financial Education
Abound Credit Union’s in-house curriculum meets state requirements while engaging and entertaining young students.
An Inside Look At Organizational Change
Methodologies to manage change abound, but these two credit unions have best practices and lessons learned that can apply to everyone.
Clearwater Embraces Its CDFI Status
Leaders of the Montana cooperative discuss the importance of the credit union’s certification as a community development financial institution and how that status dovetails with ...
Impact Strategies From August 2022
A look back at recent stories of how credit unions are making a difference in the communities they serve.
Browse Topics
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.
The Lending Lag Is Real, And Here’s What Smaller Credit Unions Can Do About It
Callahan & Associates
Discover how small to midsize credit unions can weather the economic headwinds hitting their communities right now.
Fresh Risks For Financial Markets
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
What’s In A Name: AVP Of Member Insights
Aaron Passman
At Service Credit Union, Dave Widener connects data, strategy, and culture to shape better outcomes for members.
At Cardinal Credit Union, Small Investments Offer Big Financial Lessons
Aaron Passman
The Ohio-based cooperative has partnered with a fintech to offer fractional investing as part of its financial education curriculum in local schools.
How Compensation Blind Spots Impact CEO Retention And Succession
Callahan & Associates
Seven questions credit union board members should ask to ensure alignment on executive benefit plan goals.
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.