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 Abilene Teachers Rallied The Community With A Social Media Campaign
March 21, 2022
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By turning March 25 into “325 Day,” the credit union helped launch a civic celebration that has become an annual event.
Is Your Credit Union Prepared for the CDFI Emergency Support and Minority Lending Grant?
March 16, 2022
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The Treasury has said it will be rolling out the long-awaited $1.75B Emergency Support and Minority Lending Program Grant funds in the spring of 2022. That’s over five times as much as the CDFI’s FY 2022 FA budget, and Spring is just a few weeks away… are you ready?
DEI Best Practices For Credit Unions
March 14, 2022
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Three executives share success stories learned from their cooperatives’ DEI journeys.
Awkward Conversations: How To ‘ACT’ On The Crisis In Ukraine
March 8, 2022
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Key stakeholders in the credit union movement are perhaps feeling anxious or uncertain. What should we, as leaders, be saying to members and employees?
Women CEOs On Leadership
March 7, 2022
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In honor of International Women’s Day, CreditUnions.com offers insight into what makes an effective leader from women executives across the industry.
Affinity Plus Learns Lessons Of Its Own By Investing In Staff MBAs
February 28, 2022
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The Minnesota cooperative leaned on insight from industry peers to create a path for building employees’ skills and knowledge.
Organizational Structures And Today’s Credit Union: A View From The Top
February 28, 2022
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Org charts reflect key responsibilities, but what do variations in top-level structures say about business strategies, compliance goals, CEO priorities, and more?
Inside CAP COM’s Focus On Infrastructure
February 21, 2022
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Top-Level Takeaways CAP COM provides infrastructure grants that fund needs that don’t normally appeal to gifting. The credit union’s foundation is in its second year of granting $100,000 to a diverse array of service providers. Infrastructure is an essential need that doesn’t easily attract funding, especially in the non-profit world. Its costs underly the ability
Langley Members Help Other Homebuyers
February 14, 2022
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A new program for first-time mortgage applicants intends to substantially reduce burdens around closing costs.
VSECU: The Budding Cannabis Market
January 12, 2022
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VSECU is one of a few financial institutions that serves the needs of cannabis businesses in Vermont. By doing so, the credit union addresses an area of financial exclusion within its field of membership.
How Abilene Teachers Rallied The Community With A Social Media Campaign
By turning March 25 into "325 Day," the credit union helped launch a civic celebration that has become an annual event.
Is Your Credit Union Prepared for the CDFI Emergency Support and Minority Lending Grant?
The Treasury has said it will be rolling out the long-awaited $1.75B Emergency Support and Minority Lending Program Grant funds in the spring of 2022. ...
DEI Best Practices For Credit Unions
Three executives share success stories learned from their cooperatives’ DEI journeys.
Women CEOs On Leadership
In honor of International Women’s Day, CreditUnions.com offers insight into what makes an effective leader from women executives across the industry.
Affinity Plus Learns Lessons Of Its Own By Investing In Staff MBAs
The Minnesota cooperative leaned on insight from industry peers to create a path for building employees' skills and knowledge.
Organizational Structures And Today’s Credit Union: A View From The Top
Org charts reflect key responsibilities, but what do variations in top-level structures say about business strategies, compliance goals, CEO priorities, and more?
Inside CAP COM’s Focus On Infrastructure
Top-Level Takeaways CAP COM provides infrastructure grants that fund needs that don’t normally appeal to gifting. The credit union’s foundation is in its second year ...
Langley Members Help Other Homebuyers
A new program for first-time mortgage applicants intends to substantially reduce burdens around closing costs.
VSECU: The Budding Cannabis Market
VSECU is one of a few financial institutions that serves the needs of cannabis businesses in Vermont. By doing so, the credit union addresses an ...
Browse Topics
Credit Union Data Predicts Who Will Win Super Bowl 2026
Andrew Lepczyk
As Super Bowl LX nears, the Callahan Bowl prediction model says the Seahawks will see green en route to the Lombardi Trophy.
140 Million Reasons To Lend
Aaron Passman
Lending is evolving, and credit unions are adapting. This week, CreditUnions.com examines how shifting economic conditions are reshaping lending strategies.
Rethinking Auto Lending And The Choices Facing Credit Union Leaders
Callahan & Associates
Affordability pressures, extended loan terms, and shifting vehicle values are forcing institutions to look beyond familiar structures and reconsider how to balance risk and return.
What Credit Unions Can Do NOW To Launch And Expand Student Lending Programs
Callahan & Associates
Credit unions are uniquely well-positioned to guide members through uncertainty and fill essential funding gaps.
What Would A 10% Credit Card Rate Cap Mean For Credit Unions And Members?
Andrew Lepczyk
A closer look at the trade-offs of mandated lower credit card rates reveals a delicate balance between portfolio health and member access.
5 Tucson Credit Unions Join Forces For Affordable Housing
Savana Morie
A handful of regional credit unions pair up with the GoWest Foundation to offer 100% financing for eligible borrowers.
4 Important Exceptions To Track For Commercial Lending
Callahan & Associates
Learn how to identify, track, and manage four commercial lending exceptions to reduce risk, strengthen compliance, and streamline operations.
The Personal Loan Landscape Has Shifted
Aaron Passman
Declining savings rates and rising financial pressure are reshaping why members borrow, pushing credit unions to rethink lending strategies.
Simplify Credit Card Issuing For Sustainable Growth
Callahan & Associates
How can credit unions stay true to their mission while evolving to meet modern needs?
Will Ultra-Low Interest Rates Improve Housing Affordability?
Andrew Lepczyk
Ultra-low rates might feel like a boost to affordability, but they can create unintended challenges that ripple through housing markets, lenders, and the members credit unions serve.
Awkward Conversations: How To ‘ACT’ On The Crisis In Ukraine