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.
2 Ways To Approach Fee Relief For Members
April 25, 2022
No Comments
United FCU offers support by reducing overdraft and NSF fees; Amplify flat-out eliminates them.
Behind The Scenes Of Financial Inclusion At Travis Credit Union
April 25, 2022
No Comments
Along with hosting its first Financial Inclusion Forums — intended to be an annual event — the California credit union is making efforts to provide products and services that meet the needs of underserved consumers who might be intimidated by traditional FIs.
What’s In A Name: Head Of Financial Wellbeing And Brand Communications
April 18, 2022
No Comments
Grant Gallagher leads from the intersection of member education and public relations to build brand and impact at his New Jersey credit union.
5 Ways To Go Green
April 18, 2022
No Comments
Celebrate Earth Day with some recycled best practices featured previously on CreditUnions.com.
Strategies To Encourage Military Members To Manage Money And Build Wealth
April 18, 2022
No Comments
This Military Saves Month, check out how efforts within credit union land have earned three cooperatives the Designation of Savings Excellence.
4 Ways Credit Unions Make Tax Time Less Taxing
April 11, 2022
No Comments
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, cooperatives help prep and file tax returns for underserved community members.
The ABCs Of Engagement And Philanthropy
April 11, 2022
No Comments
South Carolina Federal Credit Union encourages staff members to get more heavily involved in its nonprofit work, but that involvement requires a bit of a balancing act.
Inside Connex’s DEI Journey
April 11, 2022
No Comments
The Connecticut credit union has an in-depth plan to help narrow the racial wealth gap and expand access to underbanked consumers.
Impact And Purpose Should Define Credit Unions
March 28, 2022
No Comments
To lead with purpose, credit unions must adopt a multi-stakeholder model, which includes their associates, members, and communities.
How Abilene Teachers Rallied The Community With A Social Media Campaign
March 21, 2022
No Comments
By turning March 25 into “325 Day,” the credit union helped launch a civic celebration that has become an annual event.
2 Ways To Approach Fee Relief For Members
United FCU offers support by reducing overdraft and NSF fees; Amplify flat-out eliminates them.
Behind The Scenes Of Financial Inclusion At Travis Credit Union
Along with hosting its first Financial Inclusion Forums — intended to be an annual event — the California credit union is making efforts to provide ...
What’s In A Name: Head Of Financial Wellbeing And Brand Communications
Grant Gallagher leads from the intersection of member education and public relations to build brand and impact at his New Jersey credit union.
5 Ways To Go Green
Celebrate Earth Day with some recycled best practices featured previously on CreditUnions.com.
Strategies To Encourage Military Members To Manage Money And Build Wealth
This Military Saves Month, check out how efforts within credit union land have earned three cooperatives the Designation of Savings Excellence.
4 Ways Credit Unions Make Tax Time Less Taxing
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, cooperatives help prep and file tax returns for underserved community members.
The ABCs Of Engagement And Philanthropy
South Carolina Federal Credit Union encourages staff members to get more heavily involved in its nonprofit work, but that involvement requires a bit of a ...
Inside Connex’s DEI Journey
The Connecticut credit union has an in-depth plan to help narrow the racial wealth gap and expand access to underbanked consumers.
Impact And Purpose Should Define Credit Unions
To lead with purpose, credit unions must adopt a multi-stakeholder model, which includes their associates, members, and communities.
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.
Browse Topics
Why Financial Empowerment Matters More Than Financial Literacy
Savana Morie
Alltru FCU stopped treating education as the end goal. Now, financial empowerment guides product design, access, and risk decisions.
42% Of U.S. Households Experience Financial Hardship
Tony Waltrich
More than 50 million U.S. households earn less than the minimum average income needed to cover basic costs of living.
Excite Foundation Breaks Down Barriers For Children’s Savings
Savana Morie
Automatic enrollment and community partnerships help the credit union foundation expand access to early savings for underserved families.
Consumers Are Financing The Future Any Way They Can
Aaron Passman
Studies show credit card debt and Buy Now, Pay Later usage continue to rise. Bigger increases could be around the corner.
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.