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 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.
Small Loans Make A Big Impact In New Mexico
January 5, 2022
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Nusenda Credit Union works with community partners to identify and support borrowers shut out of traditional lending.
Arlington Community Sets The PACE For Sustainability
January 5, 2022
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The Virginia cooperative leverages a government-guaranteed loans program to help local business owners make an environmental difference.
What’s In A Name: Vice President Of Strategic Initiatives And Impact
January 3, 2022
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At Together Credit Union, ensuring pillars aren’t silos is at the heart of creating a change culture based on data and collaboration.
What Is Community Impact? Callahan Has The Data.
January 3, 2022
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Collecting data for the Impact Framework, Callahan & Associates has learned impact varies depending on institution and community — and that’s OK.
Seattle Credit Unions Invest Together In Affordable Housing
November 22, 2021
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Five cooperatives provide the final piece of public-private funding needed to launch a 277-unit project in suburban King County.
When It Comes To Supporting Members, Education Is Key
November 22, 2021
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Financial literacy is a strong priority for credit unions, which offer general counseling in various areas of finance as well as a variety of topical education.
Mapping Your Members: Identifying The Underserved
November 9, 2021
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This session takes on how to use public data and combine it with internal data in Tableau to map underserved members.
Are Credit Unions Having A Meaningful Impact On Employees?
November 8, 2021
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Focusing on front-line employees helps credit unions better serve their members and communities.
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 ...
Small Loans Make A Big Impact In New Mexico
Nusenda Credit Union works with community partners to identify and support borrowers shut out of traditional lending.
Arlington Community Sets The PACE For Sustainability
The Virginia cooperative leverages a government-guaranteed loans program to help local business owners make an environmental difference.
What’s In A Name: Vice President Of Strategic Initiatives And Impact
At Together Credit Union, ensuring pillars aren’t silos is at the heart of creating a change culture based on data and collaboration.
Seattle Credit Unions Invest Together In Affordable Housing
Five cooperatives provide the final piece of public-private funding needed to launch a 277-unit project in suburban King County.
When It Comes To Supporting Members, Education Is Key
Financial literacy is a strong priority for credit unions, which offer general counseling in various areas of finance as well as a variety of topical ...
Mapping Your Members: Identifying The Underserved
This session takes on how to use public data and combine it with internal data in Tableau to map underserved members.
Are Credit Unions Having A Meaningful Impact On Employees?
Focusing on front-line employees helps credit unions better serve their members and communities.
Browse Topics
AI Adoption Is Growing. Are Credit Unions Keeping Pace?
Andrew Lepczyk
New data from Gallup shows half of all employees who work for companies that pay for AI tools use them. Credit unions are building their own momentum.
A Credit Union Bond Beyond Bloodlines
Aaron Passman
For Mike and Dave Valentine, the family business just happens to be credit unions. The father-son duo talk leadership styles, cooperative values, and the lessons they’ve learned from each other along the way.
Connection And Caring Matter As Much As Knowledge And Resources
Chris Howard
People who are truly financially thriving have both means and a sense of security that comes from confidence about the future. Building that kind of emotional engagement requires a deliberate design of everyday interactions.
Markets Flip From Pricing Cuts To 50% Chance Of Hikes
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
Keep The Mortgage. Ditch The Fees.
Savana Morie
A rethink of closing costs, rate relief, and employer partnerships helped 7 17 Credit Union build an affordable housing mortgage program that works.
Home Is Where The Heart (And More) Is
Aaron Passman
Where is mortgage growth coming from right now? This week, CreditUnions.com covers a mix of home equity campaigns, targeted affordability programs, and niche lending strategies that are bringing borrowers back into the market.
3 Ways To Market For HELOC Success
Aaron Passman
Home equity lending is a winning option for credit unions in today’s mortgage environment. Learn how three different shops meet members’ needs.
Small House, Big Opportunity: 2 Takes On Manufactured Home Loans
Aaron Passman
Manufactured home loans can provide members access to affordable housing, including those in rural areas. Two credit unions share how they approach the niche product.
Mortgage Lending Is Back, But It Looks Different
Tony Waltrich
After a prolonged slowdown, signs of life are returning to mortgage lending. Growth is uneven, with first-time buyers and shifting rate dynamics driving activity in select segments.
MSUFCU Turns A Break In Payments Into A Member Experience Moment
Aaron Passman
The Michigan cooperative keeps everyday payments working and members happy by using a common friction point to build brand loyalty.
What Is Community Impact? Callahan Has The Data.