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.
Financial Nihilism Is Real, But How Can Credit Unions Respond?
January 12, 2026
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When money stops making sense, people suffer a crisis of financial confidence. Now’s the time to reconnect with members to help them establish long-term stability.
Exit Interview: Cheryl Sio, MembersAlliance Credit Union
January 12, 2026
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From the teller line to the corner office, CEO Cheryl Sio’s story spans five decades of industry transformation and enduring leadership lessons.
Introduction to CDFIs: Why Credit Unions Are (and Always Have Been) Community Development Financial Institutions
December 23, 2025
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Credit unions have always been engines of community development, long before the CDFI Fund existed.
All Things CDFI: Wrapping 2025, Ready for 2026
December 23, 2025
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Mike Beall, John McKechnie. and Christine Duncan wrap up an eventful year for the CDFI Fund and cover what credit unions need to know heading into 2026.
3 Popular Case Studies From 2024: Where Are They Now?
December 22, 2025
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CreditUnions.com revisits three credit unions to learn how their strategies have evolved since their original spotlight and see what’s in store for the future.
5 Lessons About Ground-Level Intelligence From A Rooftop Farm
December 22, 2025
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A national leader in urban agriculture shows how front-line insights drive real local impact — and why credit union branches are perfectly positioned to do the same.
Financial Wellbeing Is About More Than Vulnerability
December 15, 2025
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Half of Americans feel financially secure, yet one in five is suffering. A consortium of credit unions is changing the narrative by focusing on emotional engagement and trust.
Hurricane Knocked The Power Out? New Orleans Firemen’s FCU Is Ready.
December 15, 2025
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The next big storm in the Gulf isn’t an “if,” it’s a “when,” but the small Gulf-area credit union has a plan to help the community get back on its feet when the time comes.
6 Lessons For Credit Unions From Craft Breweries
December 8, 2025
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Craft breweries demonstrate how commitment to value, operational agility, and community focus can ignite growth and drive property.
Every Member Deserves A Financial Oasis
December 8, 2025
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Discover how First Alliance Credit Union is redefining success by putting values and member needs at the heart of everything it does.
Exit Interview: Cheryl Sio, MembersAlliance Credit Union
From the teller line to the corner office, CEO Cheryl Sio’s story spans five decades of industry transformation and enduring leadership lessons.
Introduction to CDFIs: Why Credit Unions Are (and Always Have Been) Community Development Financial Institutions
Credit unions have always been engines of community development, long before the CDFI Fund existed.
All Things CDFI: Wrapping 2025, Ready for 2026
Mike Beall, John McKechnie. and Christine Duncan wrap up an eventful year for the CDFI Fund and cover what credit unions need to know heading ...
3 Popular Case Studies From 2024: Where Are They Now?
CreditUnions.com revisits three credit unions to learn how their strategies have evolved since their original spotlight and see what's in store for the future.
5 Lessons About Ground-Level Intelligence From A Rooftop Farm
A national leader in urban agriculture shows how front-line insights drive real local impact — and why credit union branches are perfectly positioned to do ...
Financial Wellbeing Is About More Than Vulnerability
Half of Americans feel financially secure, yet one in five is suffering. A consortium of credit unions is changing the narrative by focusing on emotional ...
Hurricane Knocked The Power Out? New Orleans Firemen’s FCU Is Ready.
The next big storm in the Gulf isn’t an “if,” it’s a “when,” but the small Gulf-area credit union has a plan to help the ...
6 Lessons For Credit Unions From Craft Breweries
Craft breweries demonstrate how commitment to value, operational agility, and community focus can ignite growth and drive property.
Every Member Deserves A Financial Oasis
Discover how First Alliance Credit Union is redefining success by putting values and member needs at the heart of everything it does.
Browse Topics
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.
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.
AI Adoption Is Growing. Are Credit Unions Keeping Pace?
Andrew Lepczyk
New data from Gallup shows half of all employees who work for companies that pay for AI tools use them. Credit unions are building their own momentum.
Financial Nihilism Is Real, But How Can Credit Unions Respond?