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.
Credit Unions And Member Impact
January 10, 2022
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Three ways credit unions are creating engaged, loyal members.
Credit Unions And Employee Impact
January 10, 2022
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Three ways credit unions are connecting institutional mission and employee engagement.
Then And Now: The COVID Crisis For VSECU
January 10, 2022
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Inside the cooperative’s pandemic response effort and remote working strategy.
VSECU Eyes A Green Future In Vermont
January 10, 2022
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Sandwiched between New York, New Hampshire, and Canada, Vermont embraces a fiercely independent spirit that dates back to the 1770s when Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys fought for independence from the British. Home of maple syrup and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Vermont was among the first states to outlaw slavery and remains one of
The Budding Cannabis Market In The Green Mountain State
January 10, 2022
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After stepping up to serve medical marijuana dispensaries, VSECU is positioned to lead the state in banking services for an explosion in recreational sales.
The Brave New World Of Green Lending
January 10, 2022
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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
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Member-directed giving, values-based programs, and the cooperative spirit all guide VSECU’s efforts to leave a positive impact on its community.
Turning Students Into Savers In Sin City
January 5, 2022
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Silver State Schools’ savings program has helped students in low-income schools tuck away more than $250,000 in five years.
A Small But Mighty Response To Payday Lenders And Fintech Competitors
January 5, 2022
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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
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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.
Credit Unions And Member Impact
Three ways credit unions are creating engaged, loyal members.
Credit Unions And Employee Impact
Three ways credit unions are connecting institutional mission and employee engagement.
Then And Now: The COVID Crisis For VSECU
Inside the cooperative's pandemic response effort and remote working strategy.
VSECU Eyes A Green Future In Vermont
Sandwiched between New York, New Hampshire, and Canada, Vermont embraces a fiercely independent spirit that dates back to the 1770s when Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain ...
The Budding Cannabis Market In The Green Mountain State
After stepping up to serve medical marijuana dispensaries, VSECU is positioned to lead the state in banking services for an explosion in recreational sales.
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.
Turning Students Into Savers In Sin City
Silver State Schools’ savings program has helped students in low-income schools tuck away more than $250,000 in five years.
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 ...
Browse Topics
Growth Is A Mindset, But Success Is In The Contract
Callahan & Associates
Arriba Advisors co-founder Tom Russell explores how credit unions can bridge the gap between a growth mindset and their technical reality.
Fraud Is Faster, Smarter, And Harder To Stop. Here’s How To.
Callahan & Associates
RKL offers insight, expertise, and experience to help fight off growing threats.
The Numbers Are Good. The Moment Is Hard.
William Hunt
Members are anxious about their financial futures, even as credit unions remain financially strong. Institutions that respond to this moment can make 2026 a turning point.
Wages Are Growing. Wallets Are Not.
Sherry Virden
Global events are flowing directly into household budgets, reshaping how credit union members save, borrow, and cope. Such trends don’t always show up in headline data.
Credit Unions Are Having A Margin Moment
Tony Waltrich
Credit unions are benefiting from a rare margin advantage as loans reprice slower than deposits. The question now is how institutions will use that strength to better serve members.
Where Have All The Members Gone?
Omar Shalabi
Membership growth is slowing, but financial activity is not. What does the modern financial relationship look like?
5 Takeaways From First Quarter Credit Union Performance Data
William Hunt
Inflation, war, and uncertain futures have reshaped members’ needs in 2026. What does credit union performance data from the first quarter of 2026 say about household budgets, inflation pressures, and more?
New Highs For Equity Markets Despite Iran And Oil Prices
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
New Graduates Face A Cautious Job-Hiring Landscape
Tony Waltrich
Today’s job market is shaped by skills based expectations, with employers slowing entry level hiring and placing greater emphasis on applied experience.
A Credit Union Journey Into Cryptocurrency And Stablecoins
Savana Morie
St. Cloud Financial is betting on digital assets to protect member relationships and future relevance. It’s picked up lessons for other leaders along the way.