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.
A Fund To Fight The Flames
September 20, 2021
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In response to fires in the fall of 2020, Oregon Community Credit Union’s Foundation created a relief fund focused on mid-term recovery needs.
How Listerhill’s Digital Team Keeps Its Eyes On The Process
September 20, 2021
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A four-pillar approach to digital services at the Alabama cooperative blends technology, member experience, and process management.
Alabama Credit Union Scores With ‘My Credit Score’
September 13, 2021
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The cooperative has integrated credit score reporting and improvement tips into its mobile and online banking. So far, uptake has been strong.
Help Members Reskill To Pay The Bills
September 6, 2021
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A scholarship program in North Carolina provides more than $1 million annually to statewide community colleges for continuing education and career planning.
Insider Tips For Effective Employee Resource Groups
August 30, 2021
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Leaders from three credit unions share insights gleaned from launching and supporting employee resource groups.
How BECU Supports Black Communities In Seattle And Beyond
August 23, 2021
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Two years after launching a DEI-focused internal initiative, the Washington state cooperative created a fund to donate $5 million over five years to Black-led nonprofits.
What’s In A Name: COVID Recovery Program Manager
August 23, 2021
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As a business owner herself, Ivory Lloyd knows how important it is to connect local businesspeople with resources to weather this storm or create new streams of income.
Exit Interview: Mike Lord, State Employees’ Credit Union
August 9, 2021
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“A positive difference” at the end of the day and a career of 46 years.
A 3-Pronged Approach Provides High-Impact Lending
August 2, 2021
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Community development loan officers at Wright-Patt build on the cooperative’s position as Dayton’s leading mortgage lender.
Where Do PPP Loans Fit In The Credit Union Balance Sheet?
August 2, 2021
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The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program has helped businesses operate during COVID-19. But where do these loans live on the balance sheet? And what will forgiveness look like?
A Fund To Fight The Flames
In response to fires in the fall of 2020, Oregon Community Credit Union’s Foundation created a relief fund focused on mid-term recovery needs.
How Listerhill’s Digital Team Keeps Its Eyes On The Process
A four-pillar approach to digital services at the Alabama cooperative blends technology, member experience, and process management.
Alabama Credit Union Scores With ‘My Credit Score’
The cooperative has integrated credit score reporting and improvement tips into its mobile and online banking. So far, uptake has been strong.
Help Members Reskill To Pay The Bills
A scholarship program in North Carolina provides more than $1 million annually to statewide community colleges for continuing education and career planning.
Insider Tips For Effective Employee Resource Groups
Leaders from three credit unions share insights gleaned from launching and supporting employee resource groups.
How BECU Supports Black Communities In Seattle And Beyond
Two years after launching a DEI-focused internal initiative, the Washington state cooperative created a fund to donate $5 million over five years to Black-led nonprofits.
What’s In A Name: COVID Recovery Program Manager
As a business owner herself, Ivory Lloyd knows how important it is to connect local businesspeople with resources to weather this storm or create new ...
Exit Interview: Mike Lord, State Employees’ Credit Union
“A positive difference” at the end of the day and a career of 46 years.
A 3-Pronged Approach Provides High-Impact Lending
Community development loan officers at Wright-Patt build on the cooperative’s position as Dayton’s leading mortgage lender.
Where Do PPP Loans Fit In The Credit Union Balance Sheet?
The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program has helped businesses operate during COVID-19. But where do these loans live on the balance sheet? And what will forgiveness ...
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.