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.
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.
Financial Literacy Offerings Drive Down Credit Union Delinquency Rates
August 29, 2022
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For institutions with $100 million or more in assets, educational offerings are often a key factor when it comes to preventing late loan payments.
The Changing Climate For Credit Unions
August 22, 2022
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Seven steps to protect your credit union’s balance sheet and membership from increasing climate risks.
Summit Credit Union Focuses On Women
August 22, 2022
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The Wisconsin-based institution sets itself apart by focusing on the needs of women, helping them gain financial independence, and, most recently, helping people take steps to close the gender pay gap.
Meritrust Takes Financial Literacy To The Locker Room
August 22, 2022
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The credit union has partnered with three of Kansas’s largest universities to provide financial education for college athletes.
Clearwater Credit Union: What’s In A Brand?
August 22, 2022
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Clearwater Credit Union leaders look back on their credit union’s history and branding and reflect on the path that led to where they are today.
How Empower FCU Empowers Branch Employees
August 15, 2022
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The Syracuse, NY-based credit union has put in place a “self-promotion” program to help branch employees advance their careers and earn a series of raises, all while boosting member service.
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.
Financial Literacy Offerings Drive Down Credit Union Delinquency Rates
For institutions with $100 million or more in assets, educational offerings are often a key factor when it comes to preventing late loan payments.
The Changing Climate For Credit Unions
Seven steps to protect your credit union’s balance sheet and membership from increasing climate risks.
Summit Credit Union Focuses On Women
The Wisconsin-based institution sets itself apart by focusing on the needs of women, helping them gain financial independence, and, most recently, helping people take steps ...
Meritrust Takes Financial Literacy To The Locker Room
The credit union has partnered with three of Kansas’s largest universities to provide financial education for college athletes.
Clearwater Credit Union: What’s In A Brand?
Clearwater Credit Union leaders look back on their credit union’s history and branding and reflect on the path that led to where they are today.
How Empower FCU Empowers Branch Employees
The Syracuse, NY-based credit union has put in place a “self-promotion” program to help branch employees advance their careers and earn a series of raises, ...
Browse Topics
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.
The Great Wealth Transfer Is Also A Relationship Transfer
Savana Morie
Harvard FCU combines digital estate planning with human financial guidance to support positive, proactive wealth transfer across generations.
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.