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.
Equity Housing Bridges A North-South Divide
June 21, 2021
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Seattle-based Verity Credit Union is financing limited equity housing on the city’s south side in the hopes the model could serve as the future of affordable housing.
A Better Life For Members Is A Phone Call Away
May 24, 2021
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Affinity FCU’s outbound calling team seeks out suffering members to help solve their financial problems.
Have Credit Unions Lost Their Way?
May 17, 2021
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Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union, makes the case for focusing on America’s poorest communities every day — not just during a crisis.
Having Grit, Giving Grace, And Celebrating Success In DEI
May 17, 2021
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A reworked strategic plan and employee resource committees have helped Verity Credit Union fast-track efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A Force Of Change For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion
May 17, 2021
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A 12-person group at Teachers Credit Union focuses on action and deliverables in its efforts to promote DEI at the Indiana cooperative.
What’s In A Name: Youth Outreach Manager
May 10, 2021
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Cindy Jones spearheads First Financial’s efforts to improve financial health and literacy among Baltimore-area schools.
A Strategy To Help Credit Scores Soar
May 10, 2021
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Patelco Credit Union’s small-dollar loan doubles down on financial wellness principles by helping members with low or no credit improve their financial station.
20 Ways To Help People And Communities In Need
April 19, 2021
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Credit unions share insights about programs and strategies aimed at helping marginalized members and communities.
Taking Lessons From A ‘Year Of Giving’
April 8, 2021
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A new name and standout Super Bowl commercial isn’t the only way Desert Financial is making a splash in 2018.
Social Media Specialists Share Strategies And Principles
April 8, 2021
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Wright-Patt and Greater Texas lean on a virtual presence to provide real service and build brand value.
Equity Housing Bridges A North-South Divide
Seattle-based Verity Credit Union is financing limited equity housing on the city’s south side in the hopes the model could serve as the future of ...
A Better Life For Members Is A Phone Call Away
Affinity FCU’s outbound calling team seeks out suffering members to help solve their financial problems.
Have Credit Unions Lost Their Way?
Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union, makes the case for focusing on America’s poorest communities every day — not just during a crisis.
Having Grit, Giving Grace, And Celebrating Success In DEI
A reworked strategic plan and employee resource committees have helped Verity Credit Union fast-track efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A Force Of Change For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion
A 12-person group at Teachers Credit Union focuses on action and deliverables in its efforts to promote DEI at the Indiana cooperative.
What’s In A Name: Youth Outreach Manager
Cindy Jones spearheads First Financial’s efforts to improve financial health and literacy among Baltimore-area schools.
A Strategy To Help Credit Scores Soar
Patelco Credit Union’s small-dollar loan doubles down on financial wellness principles by helping members with low or no credit improve their financial station.
20 Ways To Help People And Communities In Need
Credit unions share insights about programs and strategies aimed at helping marginalized members and communities.
Taking Lessons From A ‘Year Of Giving’
A new name and standout Super Bowl commercial isn’t the only way Desert Financial is making a splash in 2018.
Social Media Specialists Share Strategies And Principles
Wright-Patt and Greater Texas lean on a virtual presence to provide real service and build brand value.
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.