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.
3 Ways To Foster Local Business And Create Lasting Community Impact
November 9, 2022
No Comments
Credit unions are entering the incubator space to tap into the innovative mindset of local entrepreneurs.
Why Did BCU Reduce Fees And Form A Financial Wellbeing CUSO?
November 7, 2022
No Comments
A shift toward a purpose-driven mindset has helped the Illinois cooperative drive sustainable growth while expanding operations.
Exit Interview: Benson Porter, BECU
November 7, 2022
No Comments
Even after retirement, this longtime credit union executive plans to continue advocating for the industry.
California Cooperatives Both Get A Win From Shared-Branch Arrangement
October 31, 2022
No Comments
A pair of Sacramento-area credit unions have embarked on a relatively unique partnership, sharing a single facility to serve their respective memberships.
Exit Interview: Michael Poulos, Michigan First Credit Union
October 24, 2022
No Comments
After three decades of building positive impact on members’ lives, the CEO leaves his cooperative in trusted hands.
Impact Strategies From October 2022
October 24, 2022
No Comments
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
There’s No Wrong Way To Make An Impact
October 15, 2022
No Comments
Three simple steps to make a difference and measure your credit union’s impact.
It Takes A Team To Fight Fraud
October 15, 2022
No Comments
Verve, A Credit Union is collaborating with local law enforcement to help community members better protect themselves against a variety of fraud.
The Power Behind A ‘Strong’ Rebrand
October 10, 2022
No Comments
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
No Comments
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.
3 Ways To Foster Local Business And Create Lasting Community Impact
Credit unions are entering the incubator space to tap into the innovative mindset of local entrepreneurs.
Why Did BCU Reduce Fees And Form A Financial Wellbeing CUSO?
A shift toward a purpose-driven mindset has helped the Illinois cooperative drive sustainable growth while expanding operations.
Exit Interview: Benson Porter, BECU
Even after retirement, this longtime credit union executive plans to continue advocating for the industry.
California Cooperatives Both Get A Win From Shared-Branch Arrangement
A pair of Sacramento-area credit unions have embarked on a relatively unique partnership, sharing a single facility to serve their respective memberships.
Exit Interview: Michael Poulos, Michigan First Credit Union
After three decades of building positive impact on members’ lives, the CEO leaves his cooperative in trusted hands.
Impact Strategies From October 2022
A look back at strategies and ideas that help credit unions make an even bigger difference in the communities they serve.
There’s No Wrong Way To Make An Impact
Three simple steps to make a difference and measure your credit union’s impact.
It Takes A Team To Fight Fraud
Verve, A Credit Union is collaborating with local law enforcement to help community members better protect themselves against a variety of fraud.
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 ...
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.