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.
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.
Banking On Values In A Crowded Montana Market
August 8, 2022
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Clearwater Credit Union is growing rapidly by embracing values-based banking and characteristics of life unique to Big Sky Country.
When Banks Left The Community, Honor Credit Union Stepped In
August 8, 2022
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After Huntingdon Bank closed several branches where the credit union has a presence, Honor purchased five of those locations so those communities wouldn’t be banking deserts.
How Canopy Credit Union Uses Personal Loans To Improve Members’ Financial Lives
August 1, 2022
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A one-day-only promotion that mixes financial counseling with loan growth opportunities has been a roaring success since it was introduced two years ago.
How The TowerCares Foundation Maximizes Its Impact
July 25, 2022
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As the philanthropic organization surges past the $1 million mark, its CEO looks back on lessons learned and offers advice for those just getting started.
Impact Strategies From July 2022
July 25, 2022
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A look back at stories from the last month showcasing how credit unions are making a difference in ways that go way beyond just banking.
Making An Impact – And Getting Results
July 22, 2022
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Callahan’s 2021 Impact Survey shows the variety of ways credit unions are making a difference in their communities and advancing the industry’s philosophy of “people helping people.”
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, ...
Banking On Values In A Crowded Montana Market
Clearwater Credit Union is growing rapidly by embracing values-based banking and characteristics of life unique to Big Sky Country.
When Banks Left The Community, Honor Credit Union Stepped In
After Huntingdon Bank closed several branches where the credit union has a presence, Honor purchased five of those locations so those communities wouldn’t be banking ...
How Canopy Credit Union Uses Personal Loans To Improve Members’ Financial Lives
A one-day-only promotion that mixes financial counseling with loan growth opportunities has been a roaring success since it was introduced two years ago.
How The TowerCares Foundation Maximizes Its Impact
As the philanthropic organization surges past the $1 million mark, its CEO looks back on lessons learned and offers advice for those just getting started.
Impact Strategies From July 2022
A look back at stories from the last month showcasing how credit unions are making a difference in ways that go way beyond just banking.
Making An Impact – And Getting Results
Callahan’s 2021 Impact Survey shows the variety of ways credit unions are making a difference in their communities and advancing the industry’s philosophy of “people ...
Browse Topics
The Case For Marketing That Doesn’t Lead With The Credit Union
Savana Morie
Whitefish Credit Union barely mentions itself in its member stories. Instead, its high-quality video storytelling spotlights people, businesses, and communities, building trust, advocacy, and impact that don’t always show up in traditional ROI metrics.
Exit Interview: Deb Vollmer
Aaron Passman
The retired Langley FCU executive looks back on a career shaped by industry change, evolving leadership responsibility, and a constant focus on serving members first.
How Affinity FCU Became A Financial First Responder
Callahan & Associates
The New Jersey-New York metro credit union shares how a wellbeing-led strategy ensures members know where to turn first when life gets difficult.
Running With Scissors: The Bold Side Of Personalization
Callahan & Associates
To become skilled at personalization, credit unions must stop making assumptions about what resonates with members and start leveraging data to be sure.
A Short Guide To Compliance With The New Succession Planning Rule
Jennie Boden
Check all the right boxes while tying your credit union compliance efforts to strategy.
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.
10 Credit Unions That Top The Charts In Member Value
William Hunt
Callahan & Associates spotlights credit unions that return more value to members.
Engagement Is Not A Perk. It Is A Strategy.
A. Jerome Fowlkes
Langley FCU asked what it would take to be a truly exceptional workplace, and it shares four ways to get there.
The Opportunity For Credit Unions In NCUA’s New Succession Planning Rule
Jennie Boden
Make your succession plan strategic and give it ‘teeth’ to reap the benefits of stronger governance and more effective C-suite leadership.
How A Child Savings Account Program Is Shaping Futures In Harbor Beach
Savana Morie
A public-private partnership in Michigan aims to influence opportunities after high school via a child savings account that provides yearly deposits and every reason to imagine what comes after graduation.