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.
A Cancer Diagnosis Is Scary. Managing Money Shouldn’t Be.
April 17, 2023
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A pilot program from Wright-Patt Credit Union offers support and financial advice for patients facing a serious illness while juggling daily expenses.
A Different Kind Of ‘Mobile’ Banking
April 10, 2023
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Peoples Advantage’s branch on wheels brings financial services to members who live in regions too rural to sustain a full-service branch.
Eco-Minded Members Seek Sustainable Solutions
April 3, 2023
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How can credit unions protect the planet and encourage members to do the same?
Impact Strategies From March 2023
March 27, 2023
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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.
A Giant Leap For Small Businesses In The Tennessee Valley
March 27, 2023
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Tennessee Valley FCU is expanding a small business program by giving away $175,000 in the Chattanooga, Cleveland, and northwest Georgia areas.
Exit Interview: Tracie Kenyon, Montana’s Credit Unions
March 27, 2023
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Montana’s Credit Unions’ longtime leader leaves a legacy of service, collaboration, and independence.
Governance, Leadership, Responsibility … Strategy!
March 20, 2023
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As spring planning sessions get underway, these are the questions credit union leaders need to be asking to ensure maximum impact.
‘Unbanked’ Rate Declines But Challenges Remain
March 20, 2023
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More consumers are entering the mainstream banking system, but more than a quarter of loan applicants say they aren’t getting the funds they need.
A Path To Affordable Homeownership For Military Members
March 20, 2023
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An initiative from VyStar Credit Union aims to give back to those who have served the country by making it easier for them to afford a home.
In A Push For Liquidity, GTE Financial Rolls Out Business Services Built For Nonprofits
March 20, 2023
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The Tampa cooperative is reducing and eliminating fees to help charities do more good while building its own lending reserves.
A Cancer Diagnosis Is Scary. Managing Money Shouldn’t Be.
A pilot program from Wright-Patt Credit Union offers support and financial advice for patients facing a serious illness while juggling daily expenses.
A Different Kind Of ‘Mobile’ Banking
Peoples Advantage’s branch on wheels brings financial services to members who live in regions too rural to sustain a full-service branch.
Eco-Minded Members Seek Sustainable Solutions
How can credit unions protect the planet and encourage members to do the same?
Impact Strategies From March 2023
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
A Giant Leap For Small Businesses In The Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Valley FCU is expanding a small business program by giving away $175,000 in the Chattanooga, Cleveland, and northwest Georgia areas.
Exit Interview: Tracie Kenyon, Montana’s Credit Unions
Montana’s Credit Unions’ longtime leader leaves a legacy of service, collaboration, and independence.
Governance, Leadership, Responsibility … Strategy!
As spring planning sessions get underway, these are the questions credit union leaders need to be asking to ensure maximum impact.
‘Unbanked’ Rate Declines But Challenges Remain
More consumers are entering the mainstream banking system, but more than a quarter of loan applicants say they aren’t getting the funds they need.
A Path To Affordable Homeownership For Military Members
An initiative from VyStar Credit Union aims to give back to those who have served the country by making it easier for them to afford ...
In A Push For Liquidity, GTE Financial Rolls Out Business Services Built For Nonprofits
The Tampa cooperative is reducing and eliminating fees to help charities do more good while building its own lending reserves.
Browse Topics
A Credit Union Bond Beyond Bloodlines
Aaron Passman
For Mike and Dave Valentine, the family business just happens to be credit unions. The father-son duo talk leadership styles, cooperative values, and the lessons they’ve learned from each other along the way.
Connection And Caring Matter As Much As Knowledge And Resources
Chris Howard
People who are truly financially thriving have both means and a sense of security that comes from confidence about the future. Building that kind of emotional engagement requires a deliberate design of everyday interactions.
AI Adoption Is Growing. Are Credit Unions Keeping Pace?
Andrew Lepczyk
New data from Gallup shows half of all employees who work for companies that pay for AI tools use them. Credit unions are building their own momentum.
Markets Flip From Pricing Cuts To 50% Chance Of Hikes
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
Keep The Mortgage. Ditch The Fees.
Savana Morie
A rethink of closing costs, rate relief, and employer partnerships helped 7 17 Credit Union build an affordable housing mortgage program that works.
Home Is Where The Heart (And More) Is
Aaron Passman
Where is mortgage growth coming from right now? This week, CreditUnions.com covers a mix of home equity campaigns, targeted affordability programs, and niche lending strategies that are bringing borrowers back into the market.
3 Ways To Market For HELOC Success
Aaron Passman
Home equity lending is a winning option for credit unions in today’s mortgage environment. Learn how three different shops meet members’ needs.
Small House, Big Opportunity: 2 Takes On Manufactured Home Loans
Aaron Passman
Manufactured home loans can provide members access to affordable housing, including those in rural areas. Two credit unions share how they approach the niche product.
Mortgage Lending Is Back, But It Looks Different
Tony Waltrich
After a prolonged slowdown, signs of life are returning to mortgage lending. Growth is uneven, with first-time buyers and shifting rate dynamics driving activity in select segments.
MSUFCU Turns A Break In Payments Into A Member Experience Moment
Aaron Passman
The Michigan cooperative keeps everyday payments working and members happy by using a common friction point to build brand loyalty.