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.
The Brave New World Of Green Lending
January 10, 2022
No Comments
Energy efficiency loans, zero-carbon goals, underwriting, and strategic partnerships drive lending growth at VSECU.
Making A Community Impact In Vermont And Beyond
January 10, 2022
No Comments
Member-directed giving, values-based programs, and the cooperative spirit all guide VSECU’s efforts to leave a positive impact on its community.
A Small But Mighty Response To Payday Lenders And Fintech Competitors
January 5, 2022
No Comments
Credit unions are experimenting with employee-sponsored small-dollar loan programs at the urging of Filene and the FINRA Foundation.
ELGA Fuels Growth For Areas In Need
January 5, 2022
No Comments
The Michigan cooperative is going against the grain of other FIs by serving moderate to low-income members, opening new branches, and tapping CDFI funds to lend to people in need.
Small Loans Make A Big Impact In New Mexico
January 5, 2022
No Comments
Nusenda Credit Union works with community partners to identify and support borrowers shut out of traditional lending.
Arlington Community Sets The PACE For Sustainability
January 5, 2022
No Comments
The Virginia cooperative leverages a government-guaranteed loans program to help local business owners make an environmental difference.
What’s In A Name: Vice President Of Strategic Initiatives And Impact
January 3, 2022
No Comments
At Together Credit Union, ensuring pillars aren’t silos is at the heart of creating a change culture based on data and collaboration.
What Is Community Impact? Callahan Has The Data.
January 3, 2022
No Comments
Collecting data for the Impact Framework, Callahan & Associates has learned impact varies depending on institution and community — and that’s OK.
Seattle Credit Unions Invest Together In Affordable Housing
November 22, 2021
No Comments
Five cooperatives provide the final piece of public-private funding needed to launch a 277-unit project in suburban King County.
When It Comes To Supporting Members, Education Is Key
November 22, 2021
No Comments
Financial literacy is a strong priority for credit unions, which offer general counseling in various areas of finance as well as a variety of topical education.
The Brave New World Of Green Lending
Energy efficiency loans, zero-carbon goals, underwriting, and strategic partnerships drive lending growth at VSECU.
Making A Community Impact In Vermont And Beyond
Member-directed giving, values-based programs, and the cooperative spirit all guide VSECU’s efforts to leave a positive impact on its community.
A Small But Mighty Response To Payday Lenders And Fintech Competitors
Credit unions are experimenting with employee-sponsored small-dollar loan programs at the urging of Filene and the FINRA Foundation.
ELGA Fuels Growth For Areas In Need
The Michigan cooperative is going against the grain of other FIs by serving moderate to low-income members, opening new branches, and tapping CDFI funds to ...
Small Loans Make A Big Impact In New Mexico
Nusenda Credit Union works with community partners to identify and support borrowers shut out of traditional lending.
Arlington Community Sets The PACE For Sustainability
The Virginia cooperative leverages a government-guaranteed loans program to help local business owners make an environmental difference.
What’s In A Name: Vice President Of Strategic Initiatives And Impact
At Together Credit Union, ensuring pillars aren’t silos is at the heart of creating a change culture based on data and collaboration.
Seattle Credit Unions Invest Together In Affordable Housing
Five cooperatives provide the final piece of public-private funding needed to launch a 277-unit project in suburban King County.
When It Comes To Supporting Members, Education Is Key
Financial literacy is a strong priority for credit unions, which offer general counseling in various areas of finance as well as a variety of topical ...
Browse Topics
What Makes Good AI Policy? Start With Curiosity And Accountability.
Marc Rapport
As credit unions move from experimentation to adoption, leaders offer firsthand knowledge on what separates weak policies from strong ones that actually work.
Governance And Guardrails Help Credit Unions Navigate AI
Aaron Passman
How Members Cooperative focuses on structure, oversight, and clear expectations to ensure AI supports, not undermines, long term strategy.
What’s In A Name: Chief AI Officer
Aaron Passman
As Hudson Valley Credit Union’s artificial intelligence chief, Preetha Sekharan holds a rare role in the industry, but it’s one that is likely to become far more common in the future.
All Eyes On AI
Aaron Passman
Artificial intelligence for credit unions has moved from a future concept to today’s full-fledged leadership and governance challenge.
The Callahan Guide To The 2026 Final Four
Tony Waltrich
What happens when credit union performance data meets March Madness? Callahan’s proprietary model breaks down state-level results to forecast who takes home the hardware.
A Rewards Program That Relies On Relationships, Not Usage
Savana Morie
Nuvision’s Added Advantage program tracks member engagement across the credit union, then rewards relationships through better pricing and other perks.
Innovations Financial Bets Big On Small Business Lending
Aaron Passman
CDFI grant funding helps the Florida cooperative offer microloans for small businesses after many banks pulled out of its market.
How Marine Credit Union Shifted Its Foundation From Siloed To Symbiotic
Savana Morie
By aligning governance, leadership, and day to day operations, Marine Credit Union transformed its foundation from a parallel operation into a visible extension of the credit union brand.
How Today’s Market Is Stress-Testing Credit Union And Bank Earnings Models
Andrew Lepczyk
Credit union and bank earnings reflect different business objectives. Those differences matter for how financial institutions serve their markets.
How Does BCU Put AI Policy Into Practice?
Marc Rapport
AI governance matters as much as innovation when it comes to AI. Learn how BCU built an AI practice that prioritizes data integrity, risk management, and real world decision making.
What Is Community Impact? Callahan Has The Data.