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.
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.
The Power of the Cooperative at Work: The Gregory’s Story
September 29, 2021
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Seth and Lindsey Gregory had done all the right things to afford their first home and start a family. Life, however, sometimes throws a curve ball. Hear their story and remember to give thanks for all your blessings this Thanksgiving.
A Fund To Fight The Flames
September 20, 2021
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In response to fires in the fall of 2020, Oregon Community Credit Union’s Foundation created a relief fund focused on mid-term recovery needs.
How Listerhill’s Digital Team Keeps Its Eyes On The Process
September 20, 2021
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A four-pillar approach to digital services at the Alabama cooperative blends technology, member experience, and process management.
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.
The Power of the Cooperative at Work: The Gregory’s Story
Seth and Lindsey Gregory had done all the right things to afford their first home and start a family. Life, however, sometimes throws a curve ...
A Fund To Fight The Flames
In response to fires in the fall of 2020, Oregon Community Credit Union’s Foundation created a relief fund focused on mid-term recovery needs.
How Listerhill’s Digital Team Keeps Its Eyes On The Process
A four-pillar approach to digital services at the Alabama cooperative blends technology, member experience, and process management.
Browse Topics
AI Boot Camp Is More Than Basic Training At Clearview FCU
Aaron Passman
Hands-on work with artificial intelligence tools is future-proofing staff members, giving them the confidence to adoption new technology and embrace efficiencies.
Stable Economy. Strained Households.
Andrew Lepczyk
Wages briefly caught up with inflation, but rising costs have pushed them back into negative territory. Here’s what that shift means for member finances and credit union performance.
Fintech Grounded In Mission As Much As Market Opportunity
Marc Rapport
Suncoast Credit Union balances near-term needs with longer-term bets, applying discipline to timing, valuation, and fit to decide when to invest and when to walk away.
Industry Intelligence For Credit Union Leaders
Callahan & Associates
Looking for quarterly data coverage, expert analysis, lessons from leading credit unions, and more? Callahan has it covered. Comparing top-level performance and digging into the details has never been easier.
Cost Pressures Are Changing Member Behavior
Savana Morie
First quarter data shows how rising costs are pushing consumers toward flexibility and reshaping borrowing and saving habits.
WSECU Invests In Innovation To Solve Pain Points
Marc Rapport
A dedicated CUSO holding company allows WSECU to move beyond building and back fintech partners it helps shape and scale.
When Employees Own Culture, Service Follows
Savana Morie
Advancial FCU links internal service standards, employee feedback, and peer recognition to create a more consistent experience for both staff and members.
How MSUFCU Builds And Backs Fintech Solutions
Marc Rapport
MSUFCU takes a hands-on approach to fintech, piloting solutions through its in-house lab before scaling and backing them through a wholly owned CUSO.
Members Demand Digital, But They Want Branches, Too
Savana Morie
Affinity Plus FCU has a clear member service mantra: digital for daily, human when it’s hard. Its CEO and CFO share what that looks like in practice.
How A Holding Company Helps Service Credit Union Win At Fintech
Marc Rapport
The New Hampshire cooperative shares how its fintech arm, Service Ventures, evaluates investments, balances risk, and defines success.
What Has More Value: Quantitative Data Or Qualitative Conversation?