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.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Building Vibrant Communities
June 30, 2025
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A midyear look back at how credit unions are lifting up their communities in ways that go beyond just banking.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing
June 30, 2025
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From access to education and beyond, credit unions are putting members first in a way that’s not just about banking – it’s about financial empowerment.
Tracy Verner Is Breaking Barriers In St. Louis Finance
June 16, 2025
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The community development manager at Alltru FCU turned in her barbells for bank accounts and is building access one account at a time.
90 Years + 1,000 Volunteer Hours In 90 Days
June 16, 2025
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Education Credit Union launched “90 Days, 900 Ways to Serve” in honor of its 90th anniversary. The institution surpassed that goal thanks to widespread employee buy-in and strong community ties.
Game On: Inside A Financial Escape Room At Hanscom FCU
June 9, 2025
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The Massachusetts cooperative’s 2,300-square-foot full-service financial wellness office features fun and free interactive challenges that bring financial concepts to life.
School’s Out For Summer, But Financial Education Is Forever
June 9, 2025
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Abound Credit Union helps keep financial literacy alive through a dynamic summer camp that blends campus life with real-world money skills.
Credit Human Scores Staff Satisfaction
May 25, 2025
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Internal NPS scores and employee experience surveys help the San Antonio cooperative measure worker sentiment.
Interns Inspire Innovation At California Credit Union
May 19, 2025
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The West Coast cooperative supports local education through a summer internship program, and alumni have left their mark on the credit union’s operations.
Americans Are Anxious. How Do Credit Unions Respond?
May 14, 2025
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Credit unions are leaning into their values and fine-tuning outreach strategies to meet the emotional and financial needs of worried members.
¿Habla Finance? At WECU, Employees Are Learning.
May 12, 2025
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Language training at the Pacific Northwest credit union is laying the groundwork to better serve Spanish speakers in the region.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Building Vibrant Communities
A midyear look back at how credit unions are lifting up their communities in ways that go beyond just banking.
Best Of 2025 (So Far): Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing
From access to education and beyond, credit unions are putting members first in a way that’s not just about banking – it’s about financial empowerment. ...
Tracy Verner Is Breaking Barriers In St. Louis Finance
The community development manager at Alltru FCU turned in her barbells for bank accounts and is building access one account at a time.
90 Years + 1,000 Volunteer Hours In 90 Days
Education Credit Union launched “90 Days, 900 Ways to Serve” in honor of its 90th anniversary. The institution surpassed that goal thanks to widespread employee ...
Game On: Inside A Financial Escape Room At Hanscom FCU
The Massachusetts cooperative’s 2,300-square-foot full-service financial wellness office features fun and free interactive challenges that bring financial concepts to life.
School’s Out For Summer, But Financial Education Is Forever
Abound Credit Union helps keep financial literacy alive through a dynamic summer camp that blends campus life with real-world money skills.
Credit Human Scores Staff Satisfaction
Internal NPS scores and employee experience surveys help the San Antonio cooperative measure worker sentiment.
Interns Inspire Innovation At California Credit Union
The West Coast cooperative supports local education through a summer internship program, and alumni have left their mark on the credit union’s operations.
Americans Are Anxious. How Do Credit Unions Respond?
Credit unions are leaning into their values and fine-tuning outreach strategies to meet the emotional and financial needs of worried members.
¿Habla Finance? At WECU, Employees Are Learning.
Language training at the Pacific Northwest credit union is laying the groundwork to better serve Spanish speakers in the region.
Browse Topics
The Callahan Guide To The 2026 Final Four
Tony Waltrich
What happens when credit union performance data meets March Madness? Callahan’s proprietary model breaks down state-level results to forecast who takes home the hardware.
A Rewards Program That Relies On Relationships, Not Usage
Savana Morie
Nuvision’s Added Advantage program tracks member engagement across the credit union, then rewards relationships through better pricing and other perks.
Innovations Financial Bets Big On Small Business Lending
Aaron Passman
CDFI grant funding helps the Florida cooperative offer microloans for small businesses after many banks pulled out of its market.
How Marine Credit Union Shifted Its Foundation From Siloed To Symbiotic
Savana Morie
By aligning governance, leadership, and day to day operations, Marine Credit Union transformed its foundation from a parallel operation into a visible extension of the credit union brand.
How Today’s Market Is Stress-Testing Credit Union And Bank Earnings Models
Andrew Lepczyk
Credit union and bank earnings reflect different business objectives. Those differences matter for how financial institutions serve their markets.
The Case For Marketing That Doesn’t Lead With The Credit Union
Savana Morie
Whitefish Credit Union barely mentions itself in its member stories. Instead, its high-quality video storytelling spotlights people, businesses, and communities, building trust, advocacy, and impact that don’t always show up in traditional ROI metrics.
Exit Interview: Deb Vollmer
Aaron Passman
The retired Langley FCU executive looks back on a career shaped by industry change, evolving leadership responsibility, and a constant focus on serving members first.
How Affinity FCU Became A Financial First Responder
Callahan & Associates
The New Jersey-New York metro credit union shares how a wellbeing-led strategy ensures members know where to turn first when life gets difficult.
Running With Scissors: The Bold Side Of Personalization
Callahan & Associates
To become skilled at personalization, credit unions must stop making assumptions about what resonates with members and start leveraging data to be sure.
A Short Guide To Compliance With The New Succession Planning Rule
Jennie Boden
Check all the right boxes while tying your credit union compliance efforts to strategy.