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 Cooperative Outlook On Governance
August 1, 2017
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How the cooperative principles guide the governance of a non-profit based in Washington state. A Q&A with Anne-Marie La Porte, Director of Governance Services, Group Health Cooperative.
5 Questions To Answer Before Moving On A Merger
July 24, 2017
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Deciding whether, and with whom, to merge can be tricky. Use this list to spark conversations that will lead to a deeper understanding of the benefits, drawbacks, and other implications.
How High-Risk Lending Reaps Rewards
July 24, 2017
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Managing risk and building relationships helps two small credit unions lend to C-D-E-paper borrowers.
It’s All ‘Neighbor’ Good At TruStone Financial
July 17, 2017
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The Twin Cities financial cooperative used social media to entice members to call out good causes and made a lot of positive impressions in the process.
Remembering Hubert Hoosman
July 11, 2017
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Jim Blaine remembers the man who made a major mark in his St. Louis community and well beyond.
The Risk In Thinking That Safe Equals Sound
July 3, 2017
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While the NCUA and the industry examines the merger process, maybe it’s time to consider providing a way for credit unions considering going away to save their value and re-deploy it for the common good.
Get The Job Done For Members
July 3, 2017
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The success of both the credit union and the member should increase as their relationship deepens over time.
Credit Unions As A “Cornerstone” Of Freedom
July 3, 2017
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A Keystone State credit union vanishes to merger but not without a fight.
19 Credit Union Leaders. 1 Vision For Member Service.
July 3, 2017
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Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union regularly hits pause on the daily grind to talk big-picture strategy. Learn how those efforts are paying off.
How To Think Like A Strategist? Be Like Ike.
July 1, 2017
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Ongoing planning beats static plans every time. Now’s the time to learn the practice of real strategic thinking.
A Cooperative Outlook On Governance
How the cooperative principles guide the governance of a non-profit based in Washington state. A Q&A with Anne-Marie La Porte, Director of Governance Services, Group ...
5 Questions To Answer Before Moving On A Merger
Deciding whether, and with whom, to merge can be tricky. Use this list to spark conversations that will lead to a deeper understanding of the ...
How High-Risk Lending Reaps Rewards
Managing risk and building relationships helps two small credit unions lend to C-D-E-paper borrowers.
It’s All ‘Neighbor’ Good At TruStone Financial
The Twin Cities financial cooperative used social media to entice members to call out good causes and made a lot of positive impressions in the ...
The Risk In Thinking That Safe Equals Sound
While the NCUA and the industry examines the merger process, maybe it’s time to consider providing a way for credit unions considering going away to ...
Get The Job Done For Members
The success of both the credit union and the member should increase as their relationship deepens over time.
Credit Unions As A “Cornerstone” Of Freedom
A Keystone State credit union vanishes to merger but not without a fight.
19 Credit Union Leaders. 1 Vision For Member Service.
Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union regularly hits pause on the daily grind to talk big-picture strategy. Learn how those efforts are paying off.
How To Think Like A Strategist? Be Like Ike.
Ongoing planning beats static plans every time. Now’s the time to learn the practice of real strategic thinking.
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.
Remembering Hubert Hoosman