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.
Service Puts Financial Wellness In Members’ Pockets
September 26, 2022
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The financial atmosphere is changing. A decline in in-person transactions is leaving credit union staffers with fewer face-to-face opportunities to talk with members about financial planning and wellness. And the rise of non-traditional resources for investment and savings advice tempting resources that young people are turning to more often, according to a recent national survey
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.
The Keys To Delivering An Excellent Member Experience
September 6, 2022
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Many credit unions struggle to deliver the online experience members want. It’s time to use technology in new ways.
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.
Service Puts Financial Wellness In Members’ Pockets
The financial atmosphere is changing. A decline in in-person transactions is leaving credit union staffers with fewer face-to-face opportunities to talk with members about financial ...
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.
The Keys To Delivering An Excellent Member Experience
Many credit unions struggle to deliver the online experience members want. It’s time to use technology in new ways.
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.
Browse Topics
Growth Is A Mindset, But Success Is In The Contract
Callahan & Associates
Arriba Advisors co-founder Tom Russell explores how credit unions can bridge the gap between a growth mindset and their technical reality.
Fraud Is Faster, Smarter, And Harder To Stop. Here’s How To.
Callahan & Associates
RKL offers insight, expertise, and experience to help fight off growing threats.
The Numbers Are Good. The Moment Is Hard.
William Hunt
Members are anxious about their financial futures, even as credit unions remain financially strong. Institutions that respond to this moment can make 2026 a turning point.
Wages Are Growing. Wallets Are Not.
Sherry Virden
Global events are flowing directly into household budgets, reshaping how credit union members save, borrow, and cope. Such trends don’t always show up in headline data.
Credit Unions Are Having A Margin Moment
Tony Waltrich
Credit unions are benefiting from a rare margin advantage as loans reprice slower than deposits. The question now is how institutions will use that strength to better serve members.
Where Have All The Members Gone?
Omar Shalabi
Membership growth is slowing, but financial activity is not. What does the modern financial relationship look like?
5 Takeaways From First Quarter Credit Union Performance Data
William Hunt
Inflation, war, and uncertain futures have reshaped members’ needs in 2026. What does credit union performance data from the first quarter of 2026 say about household budgets, inflation pressures, and more?
New Highs For Equity Markets Despite Iran And Oil Prices
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
New Graduates Face A Cautious Job-Hiring Landscape
Tony Waltrich
Today’s job market is shaped by skills based expectations, with employers slowing entry level hiring and placing greater emphasis on applied experience.
A Credit Union Journey Into Cryptocurrency And Stablecoins
Savana Morie
St. Cloud Financial is betting on digital assets to protect member relationships and future relevance. It’s picked up lessons for other leaders along the way.