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.
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.”
Interest Rate Volatility Reaches New Highs For 2022
July 18, 2022
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A look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving the current market trends that could impact your credit union’s investment portfolio.
GRAPH OF THE WEEK: Credit Union Hiring Spikes Amid Hot Job Market
July 18, 2022
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Credit unions are hosting more FTEs and paying them more than they were one year ago, in large part driven by an extremely competitive hiring environment.
Lessons From A Fintech’s First Year
July 11, 2022
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Nearly 12 months after the launch of Dora, a credit union-backed fintech, one executive looks back at lessons learned and what comes next.
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 ...
Interest Rate Volatility Reaches New Highs For 2022
A look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving the current market trends that could impact your credit union’s investment portfolio.
GRAPH OF THE WEEK: Credit Union Hiring Spikes Amid Hot Job Market
Credit unions are hosting more FTEs and paying them more than they were one year ago, in large part driven by an extremely competitive hiring ...
Lessons From A Fintech’s First Year
Nearly 12 months after the launch of Dora, a credit union-backed fintech, one executive looks back at lessons learned and what comes next.
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.