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.
How 3 Credit Unions Are Handling The COVID-19 Vaccine
March 1, 2021
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The coronavirus vaccine should soon be available to the general population. The federal government is not mandating vaccination; some state or local jurisdictions might. What will credit unions do?
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.
How 3 Credit Unions Are Handling The COVID-19 Vaccine
The coronavirus vaccine should soon be available to the general population. The federal government is not mandating vaccination; some state or local jurisdictions might. What ...
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 ...
Browse Topics
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 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.
At Cardinal Credit Union, Small Investments Offer Big Financial Lessons
Aaron Passman
The Ohio-based cooperative has partnered with a fintech to offer fractional investing as part of its financial education curriculum in local schools.
How Compensation Blind Spots Impact CEO Retention And Succession
Callahan & Associates
Seven questions credit union board members should ask to ensure alignment on executive benefit plan goals.
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.
A Cooperative Community Park