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.
SMCU Distributes Dollars And Dreams During A Destructive Year
February 19, 2021
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When the pandemic hit, San Mateo Credit Union moved quickly to stand up a non-profit fund and move much-needed assistance into the communities it serves.
3 Leaders Weigh In On What’s To Come In 2021
February 15, 2021
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2020 was a complicated year. But it offered plenty of lessons for leaders and has set the stage for an important 2021.
A New Board For A Changing Membership
February 12, 2021
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Backed by a changing FOM and new BOD, One Detroit Credit Union targets programs to bring hope to Detroit’s abandoned neighborhoods.
It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
February 12, 2021
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Columbus United FCU joins forces with a national nonprofit to champion housing availability in rural Nebraska.
Local Cooperatives Thrive With VSECU
February 12, 2021
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The Vermont cooperative relies on a little-known state statute to make direct investments in cooperatives to bolster local economies and create a better world.
A Strategy To Show Members Love Any Day Of The Year
February 12, 2021
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Public Service Credit Union surveyed members, bought gifts, and made donations to take care of the community it loves.
Winning With Member Experience: Are You Leaving Your Members Out In The Cold?
February 10, 2021
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In this webinar, we will showcase three member engagement strategies that real credit unions have implemented to improve their member experience initiatives during the pandemic.
A Cooperative Community Park
February 8, 2021
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Isolation in Los Alamos, NM, has prompted an alliance of local cooperatives to provide a gathering space for people craving connection.
CDFI Opportunities
January 27, 2021
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Join CU Strategic Planning’s Mike Beall, Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer to understand the opportunities in 2021 and 2022 for credit unions to create unique links in their communities and receive CDFI Grant Funding for these initiatives to help low to moderate income consumers.
Flood Waters Are Rising. Will Credit Unions Come To The Rescue?
January 25, 2021
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It’s time to find ways to support members’ economic recovery.
SMCU Distributes Dollars And Dreams During A Destructive Year
When the pandemic hit, San Mateo Credit Union moved quickly to stand up a non-profit fund and move much-needed assistance into the communities it serves.
3 Leaders Weigh In On What’s To Come In 2021
2020 was a complicated year. But it offered plenty of lessons for leaders and has set the stage for an important 2021.
A New Board For A Changing Membership
Backed by a changing FOM and new BOD, One Detroit Credit Union targets programs to bring hope to Detroit’s abandoned neighborhoods.
It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Columbus United FCU joins forces with a national nonprofit to champion housing availability in rural Nebraska.
Local Cooperatives Thrive With VSECU
The Vermont cooperative relies on a little-known state statute to make direct investments in cooperatives to bolster local economies and create a better world.
A Strategy To Show Members Love Any Day Of The Year
Public Service Credit Union surveyed members, bought gifts, and made donations to take care of the community it loves.
Winning With Member Experience: Are You Leaving Your Members Out In The Cold?
In this webinar, we will showcase three member engagement strategies that real credit unions have implemented to improve their member experience initiatives during the pandemic.
CDFI Opportunities
Join CU Strategic Planning's Mike Beall, Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer to understand the opportunities in 2021 and 2022 for credit unions to create unique ...
Flood Waters Are Rising. Will Credit Unions Come To The Rescue?
It’s time to find ways to support members’ economic recovery.
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.
A Cooperative Community Park