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.
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: Fraud Prevention And Resolution
February 23, 2026
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This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage to share ideas, demonstrate solutions, and spark meaningful change.
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: Digital Member Engagement
February 23, 2026
No Comments
This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage to share ideas, demonstrate solutions, and spark meaningful change.
The American Budget Squeeze
February 23, 2026
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The affordability crisis extends far beyond big-ticket expenses. As the rising cost of basic necessities outpaces income growth, household budgets are under strain and long-term financial stability is increasingly at risk.
Building A ‘Culture’ Of Confidence At MSUFCU
February 16, 2026
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How the Michigan-based cooperative’s “Culture of Finance” curriculum is reframing financial education.
What Is The K-Shaped Economy And What Can Credit Unions Do About It?
February 16, 2026
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The gulf between the haves and the have-nots has widened in recent years. Credit unions can help members catch up.
5 Takeaways From NLCUP 2026
February 10, 2026
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On-site coverage at the National Association of Latino Credit Union Professionals’ 2026 conference explores how representation, emotional experience, and community trust are converging to shape the future of credit unions.
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: AI-Powered Member Experience
February 9, 2026
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This year’s finalists are reimagining how credit unions can use AI to combine cutting-edge technology with old-school member service.
When Members Don’t Turn To FIs, They Turn To Friends And Family
February 9, 2026
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Financial advice comes in many forms. How can credits union make sure they are the No. 1 choice for their members?
A Small Match Builds Big Emergency Savings At Lake Trust
February 9, 2026
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A program to help staffers improve their savings skills generated more than $200,000 in deposits and helped change participants’ financial habits.
Operationalizing Financial Wellbeing For Long-Term Growth
February 6, 2026
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Join a fireside chat as we walk through Patelco’s financial wellbeing strategy and the day to day tactics shaped by ongoing member and consumer behavior feedback.
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: Fraud Prevention And Resolution
This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage ...
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: Digital Member Engagement
This year’s Innovation Series returns with bigger impact and broader horizons. Since 2018, this annual showcase has spotlighted forward-thinking solutions by giving innovators a stage ...
The American Budget Squeeze
The affordability crisis extends far beyond big-ticket expenses. As the rising cost of basic necessities outpaces income growth, household budgets are under strain and long-term ...
Building A ‘Culture’ Of Confidence At MSUFCU
How the Michigan-based cooperative’s “Culture of Finance” curriculum is reframing financial education.
What Is The K-Shaped Economy And What Can Credit Unions Do About It?
The gulf between the haves and the have-nots has widened in recent years. Credit unions can help members catch up.
5 Takeaways From NLCUP 2026
On-site coverage at the National Association of Latino Credit Union Professionals’ 2026 conference explores how representation, emotional experience, and community trust are converging to shape ...
Meet The Finalists For The 2026 Innovation Series: AI-Powered Member Experience
This year's finalists are reimagining how credit unions can use AI to combine cutting-edge technology with old-school member service.
When Members Don’t Turn To FIs, They Turn To Friends And Family
Financial advice comes in many forms. How can credits union make sure they are the No. 1 choice for their members?
A Small Match Builds Big Emergency Savings At Lake Trust
A program to help staffers improve their savings skills generated more than $200,000 in deposits and helped change participants’ financial habits.
Operationalizing Financial Wellbeing For Long-Term Growth
Join a fireside chat as we walk through Patelco’s financial wellbeing strategy and the day to day tactics shaped by ongoing member and consumer behavior ...
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.
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.
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 adopt new technology and embrace efficiencies.