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): 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): 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
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
Recent 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.