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 3-Pronged Approach Provides High-Impact Lending
August 2, 2021
No Comments
Community development loan officers at Wright-Patt build on the cooperative’s position as Dayton’s leading mortgage lender.
Where Do PPP Loans Fit In The Credit Union Balance Sheet?
August 2, 2021
No Comments
The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program has helped businesses operate during COVID-19. But where do these loans live on the balance sheet? And what will forgiveness look like?
What’s In A Name: Sales Manager And Accountability Trainer
August 2, 2021
No Comments
Laurie Flanders cleans up the reputation of “sales” by ensuring All In Federal Credit Union serves members as it works to meet goals.
Richard Romero On Leadership
July 26, 2021
No Comments
The veteran CEO guides DEI at a billion-dollar credit union.
Sustainability Spurs Industrywide Action At UNFCU
July 25, 2021
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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
No Comments
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.
A 3-Pronged Approach Provides High-Impact Lending
Community development loan officers at Wright-Patt build on the cooperative’s position as Dayton’s leading mortgage lender.
Where Do PPP Loans Fit In The Credit Union Balance Sheet?
The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program has helped businesses operate during COVID-19. But where do these loans live on the balance sheet? And what will forgiveness ...
What’s In A Name: Sales Manager And Accountability Trainer
Laurie Flanders cleans up the reputation of "sales" by ensuring All In Federal Credit Union serves members as it works to meet goals.
Richard Romero On Leadership
The veteran CEO guides DEI at a billion-dollar credit union.
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 ...
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.