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.
Sustainability Spurs Industrywide Action At UNFCU
July 25, 2021
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The Empire State cooperative’s Global Sustainability Program has evolved to encompass more goals, a broader network, and more conversations with industry participants.
A Big Product List From A Small Credit Union
July 19, 2021
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How Riverways FCU is making a growing impact in its mid-Missouri market while listening to members and limiting risk.
How This Small Indiana Credit Union Works To ‘Bridge The Gap’
July 12, 2021
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Afena FCU partners with a local foundation to take on payday lenders with long-term, low-rate loans with a savings component and financial counseling.
15 Ratios Every Board Member Should Know (Part 1)
June 30, 2021
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12-month loan growth, provision for loan losses, loan portfolio profile: Three metrics to evaluate your credit union and bridge the gap between macro trends and micro performance.
What’s In A Name: Chief Relationship Officer
June 28, 2021
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Susan Fogarty brings wealth management and not-for-profit experiences to CAP COM FCU as it restructures under a member-impact umbrella.
Equity Housing Bridges A North-South Divide
June 21, 2021
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Seattle-based Verity Credit Union is financing limited equity housing on the city’s south side in the hopes the model could serve as the future of affordable housing.
Conversations Transform Members’ Finances At Teachers Credit Union
May 24, 2021
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Top-Level Takeaways Members’ financial health and wellbeing are tied to mission, vision, and values statements at Teachers Credit Union. A formal training program provides guidance to front-line employees on how to build deeper connections during member interactions. Teachers Credit Union ($4.2B, South Bend, IN) ties the health and wellbeing of its members to its mission,
A Better Life For Members Is A Phone Call Away
May 24, 2021
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Affinity FCU’s outbound calling team seeks out suffering members to help solve their financial problems.
Have Credit Unions Lost Their Way?
May 17, 2021
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Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union, makes the case for focusing on America’s poorest communities every day — not just during a crisis.
Having Grit, Giving Grace, And Celebrating Success In DEI
May 17, 2021
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A reworked strategic plan and employee resource committees have helped Verity Credit Union fast-track efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sustainability Spurs Industrywide Action At UNFCU
The Empire State cooperative’s Global Sustainability Program has evolved to encompass more goals, a broader network, and more conversations with industry participants.
A Big Product List From A Small Credit Union
How Riverways FCU is making a growing impact in its mid-Missouri market while listening to members and limiting risk.
How This Small Indiana Credit Union Works To ‘Bridge The Gap’
Afena FCU partners with a local foundation to take on payday lenders with long-term, low-rate loans with a savings component and financial counseling.
15 Ratios Every Board Member Should Know (Part 1)
12-month loan growth, provision for loan losses, loan portfolio profile: Three metrics to evaluate your credit union and bridge the gap between macro trends and ...
What’s In A Name: Chief Relationship Officer
Susan Fogarty brings wealth management and not-for-profit experiences to CAP COM FCU as it restructures under a member-impact umbrella.
Equity Housing Bridges A North-South Divide
Seattle-based Verity Credit Union is financing limited equity housing on the city’s south side in the hopes the model could serve as the future of ...
Conversations Transform Members’ Finances At Teachers Credit Union
Top-Level Takeaways Members’ financial health and wellbeing are tied to mission, vision, and values statements at Teachers Credit Union. A formal training program provides guidance ...
A Better Life For Members Is A Phone Call Away
Affinity FCU’s outbound calling team seeks out suffering members to help solve their financial problems.
Have Credit Unions Lost Their Way?
Bill Bynum, CEO of Hope Credit Union, makes the case for focusing on America’s poorest communities every day — not just during a crisis.
Having Grit, Giving Grace, And Celebrating Success In DEI
A reworked strategic plan and employee resource committees have helped Verity Credit Union fast-track efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Browse Topics
Why Financial Empowerment Matters More Than Financial Literacy
Savana Morie
Alltru FCU stopped treating education as the end goal. Now, financial empowerment guides product design, access, and risk decisions.
42% Of U.S. Households Experience Financial Hardship
Tony Waltrich
More than 50 million U.S. households earn less than the minimum average income needed to cover basic costs of living.
Excite Foundation Breaks Down Barriers For Children’s Savings
Savana Morie
Automatic enrollment and community partnerships help the credit union foundation expand access to early savings for underserved families.
Consumers Are Financing The Future Any Way They Can
Aaron Passman
Studies show credit card debt and Buy Now, Pay Later usage continue to rise. Bigger increases could be around the corner.
Credit Human Redefines ‘Green’ In The Heart Of Texas
Savana Morie
The credit union completed a three acre headquarters campus in 2021 that offers 52% more space while consuming a fraction of the resources. It’s a model of how cooperatives can lead on sustainability without sacrificing performance.
CDFIs By The Numbers
Omar Shalabi
CDFI credit unions might be fewer in number, but their impact reaches millions of members, and their footprint highlights how targeted mission can translate into broad, measurable reach.
Serving The Underserved Without Accepting Preventable Fraud Losses
Callahan & Associates
Preventable fraud losses quietly erode credit union margins. The difference between a 25% and 6% loss rate isn’t risk. It’s execution.
Inside An In-School Model That Links Classrooms With College And Careers
Savana Morie
Holy Rosary Credit Union has embedded itself into a local high school’s career and technical education program, offering scholarships, internships, and courses eligible for college credit.
6 Credit Union Executive Priorities For 2026
Jay Johnson
Credit union leaders want to know where peers are placing their focus. These six priorities reflect how leadership teams are responding to change with intention and clarity.
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.