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.
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.
Alabama Credit Union Scores With ‘My Credit Score’
September 13, 2021
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The cooperative has integrated credit score reporting and improvement tips into its mobile and online banking. So far, uptake has been strong.
Help Members Reskill To Pay The Bills
September 6, 2021
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A scholarship program in North Carolina provides more than $1 million annually to statewide community colleges for continuing education and career planning.
Insider Tips For Effective Employee Resource Groups
August 30, 2021
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Leaders from three credit unions share insights gleaned from launching and supporting employee resource groups.
How BECU Supports Black Communities In Seattle And Beyond
August 23, 2021
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Two years after launching a DEI-focused internal initiative, the Washington state cooperative created a fund to donate $5 million over five years to Black-led nonprofits.
What’s In A Name: COVID Recovery Program Manager
August 23, 2021
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As a business owner herself, Ivory Lloyd knows how important it is to connect local businesspeople with resources to weather this storm or create new streams of income.
Exit Interview: Mike Lord, State Employees’ Credit Union
August 9, 2021
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“A positive difference” at the end of the day and a career of 46 years.
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.
Alabama Credit Union Scores With ‘My Credit Score’
The cooperative has integrated credit score reporting and improvement tips into its mobile and online banking. So far, uptake has been strong.
Help Members Reskill To Pay The Bills
A scholarship program in North Carolina provides more than $1 million annually to statewide community colleges for continuing education and career planning.
Insider Tips For Effective Employee Resource Groups
Leaders from three credit unions share insights gleaned from launching and supporting employee resource groups.
How BECU Supports Black Communities In Seattle And Beyond
Two years after launching a DEI-focused internal initiative, the Washington state cooperative created a fund to donate $5 million over five years to Black-led nonprofits.
What’s In A Name: COVID Recovery Program Manager
As a business owner herself, Ivory Lloyd knows how important it is to connect local businesspeople with resources to weather this storm or create new ...
Exit Interview: Mike Lord, State Employees’ Credit Union
“A positive difference” at the end of the day and a career of 46 years.
Browse Topics
Innovation Only Goes So Far Without Internal Alignment
Marc Rapport
Coastal Credit Union evaluates fintech through the lens of member value, strategic growth, and organizational readiness to implement new ideas.
Why Legacy Institutions Must Evolve To Survive
Matt Kershaw
Long-term growth depends on pairing trusted community relationships with intentional investment in technology, leadership, and purpose.
Future Bets For Fintech
Rebecca Wessler
Credit unions are making decisions about where to build, invest, and partner as they balance today’s priorities with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Future Bets From Today’s Credit Unions
Marc Rapport
Industry leaders share how they approach fintech investment, balancing immediate needs with longer-term bets while keeping member value and mission at the center.
Competing For Gen Z, SMBs, And The Future Of Money
Callahan & Associates
Credit unions that enable seamless movement between fiat and digital assets position themselves as a trusted on- and off-ramp.
The Financial Readiness Gap: Credit Unions Evaluate It Every Day. But Who Builds It?
Callahan & Associates
The credit unions that win the next generation will be the ones that showed up early, when young members were forming habits and deciding whom to trust.
Defending Your Credit Union Against Fraud Means Fighting Fire With Smarter Fire
Callahan & Associates
The challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to adopt it responsibly with the right governance, the right partners, and the right balance between technology and human oversight.
Digital Assets Are Coming For Payments. Are Credit Unions Ready?
Andrew Lepczyk
McKinsey projects trillions of dollars in growth across digital assets, with money movement emerging as one of the biggest opportunities.
The Long Game For Fintech At FORUM Credit Union
Marc Rapport
The Indiana cooperative blends internal development with selective partnerships to meet members’ needs today now while positioning for what’s next.
Mission Fed Weighs Fintech Returns Against Real-World Fit
Marc Rapport
The San Diego cooperative leans on its CUSO and the CURQL network to make fintech investments, but member needs still guide which solutions ultimately make it into the credit union’s operations.
Reform Credit Unions? No, Rekindle Them!