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.
Helping St. Louis Help Itself
October 29, 2021
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1st Financial combines the right products with direct engagement to help underbanked residents build credit and financial security.
Financial Health Underpins A Broader Social Purpose At A Texas Credit Union
October 29, 2021
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University FCU considers community needs and institutional strengths to identify high-impact areas of service.
A Cooperative Spin On Local Marketing
October 28, 2021
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A California credit union partners with local businesses and earns positive guilt by association.
What Has More Value: Quantitative Data Or Qualitative Conversation?
October 25, 2021
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An impact benchmark is a worthwhile endeavor, but community impact doesn’t stop — or even start — with a number.
Fellows Step Into Local Leadership Roles
October 25, 2021
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A three-year partnership between SECU Foundation and a North Carolina nonprofit places high-achieving college graduates into community government roles to curb the state’s brain drain.
How To Use Culture And Perks To Achieve Hiring Happiness
October 18, 2021
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Employees asked, and Horizon FCU made Black Friday a paid holiday. The Pennsylvania cooperative has made other decisions by following its mission, vision, and values, too.
4 Reasons Credit Unions Need To Train Front-Line Staff As Financial Counselors
October 13, 2021
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When all staff can recognize members’ financial challenges and make timely recommendations, you can improve your members’ financial lives and your credit union’s bottom line.
How Can Credit Unions Measure Impact?
October 11, 2021
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Callahan & Associates is committed to helping credit unions quantitatively demonstrate they are not only socially and commercially valuable financial institutions but also invaluable community partners.
Measure Your Mission: Quantifying Credit Union Impact Data
October 11, 2021
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Credit unions make an impact every day on their employees, members, and communities, yet too few are showcasing their efforts. Why? Where to start?
Reform Credit Unions? No, Rekindle Them!
October 5, 2021
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It’s time to show consumers that credit unions across the country are steadfastly working to improve the lives of their members and communities.
Helping St. Louis Help Itself
1st Financial combines the right products with direct engagement to help underbanked residents build credit and financial security.
Financial Health Underpins A Broader Social Purpose At A Texas Credit Union
University FCU considers community needs and institutional strengths to identify high-impact areas of service.
A Cooperative Spin On Local Marketing
A California credit union partners with local businesses and earns positive guilt by association.
Fellows Step Into Local Leadership Roles
A three-year partnership between SECU Foundation and a North Carolina nonprofit places high-achieving college graduates into community government roles to curb the state’s brain drain.
How To Use Culture And Perks To Achieve Hiring Happiness
Employees asked, and Horizon FCU made Black Friday a paid holiday. The Pennsylvania cooperative has made other decisions by following its mission, vision, and values, ...
4 Reasons Credit Unions Need To Train Front-Line Staff As Financial Counselors
When all staff can recognize members’ financial challenges and make timely recommendations, you can improve your members’ financial lives and your credit union’s bottom line.
How Can Credit Unions Measure Impact?
Callahan & Associates is committed to helping credit unions quantitatively demonstrate they are not only socially and commercially valuable financial institutions but also invaluable community ...
Measure Your Mission: Quantifying Credit Union Impact Data
Credit unions make an impact every day on their employees, members, and communities, yet too few are showcasing their efforts. Why? Where to start?
Reform Credit Unions? No, Rekindle Them!
It’s time to show consumers that credit unions across the country are steadfastly working to improve the lives of their members and communities.
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.
What Has More Value: Quantitative Data Or Qualitative Conversation?