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 Education as a Credit Union Differentiator: Interview with A+ FCU
April 21, 2016
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Each credit union’s education program is exclusive and should be tailored to fit the unique needs of the membership, community, values and goals. Here is A+ FCU’s story.
‘Learning a New Language’: Combining Credit Union Cultures in a Merger
April 21, 2016
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Combining cultures can be the sticking point for many merger talks. United Federal used strategic leadership and guidance to blend two organizations into a cohesive whole.
Watch and Learn How One CU is Putting the Control in the Hands of the Member
April 21, 2016
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Diana Dykstra, CEO of San Francisco Fire Credit Union ($423m, San Francisco, CA) describes their 2007 strategy for demonstrating the credit union difference – allowing members to set their own rates and create their own accounts.
Would You Like a Loan with that?
April 19, 2016
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Outbound calling allows a credit union to personalize the point of contact and can be successful at getting members to increase their relationship with the credit union.
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
April 19, 2016
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Hear the story of how Wauna Credit Union motivated a member to improve his credit.
As Consumers Rebel, Credit Unions Can Benefit
April 19, 2016
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Negative headlines about financial institutions are commonplace in our current national climate, but one issue in particular has risen above the din in the last few months.
There’s Nothing Punitive About A Bottom Line Built On Value And Service
April 19, 2016
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Credit unions must continue to build diversified income streams that strike a balance between profit and purpose.
It Takes A Village To Sustain A Village
April 18, 2016
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The best of the best? Whats that mean? Serving everyone is the ultimate sustainable model for capitalism and for credit unions, the original crowdfunders.
CECL Challenges And Opportunities
April 14, 2016
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The new accounting standard from FASB presents challenges and opportunities to credit unions and CUSOs.
The Year Of Living Dangerously
April 13, 2016
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Introducing monthly dues was a risky move for Arizona Federal. Yet one year later, the credit union has a more engaged membership as a result.
Financial Education as a Credit Union Differentiator: Interview with A+ FCU
Each credit union's education program is exclusive and should be tailored to fit the unique needs of the membership, community, values and goals. Here is ...
‘Learning a New Language’: Combining Credit Union Cultures in a Merger
Combining cultures can be the sticking point for many merger talks. United Federal used strategic leadership and guidance to blend two organizations into a cohesive ...
Watch and Learn How One CU is Putting the Control in the Hands of the Member
Diana Dykstra, CEO of San Francisco Fire Credit Union ($423m, San Francisco, CA) describes their 2007 strategy for demonstrating the credit ... Would You Like a Loan with that?
Outbound calling allows a credit union to personalize the point of contact and can be successful at getting members to increase their relationship with the ...
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
Hear the story of how Wauna Credit Union motivated a member to improve his credit.
As Consumers Rebel, Credit Unions Can Benefit
Negative headlines about financial institutions are commonplace in our current national climate, but one issue in particular has risen above the din in the last ...
There’s Nothing Punitive About A Bottom Line Built On Value And Service
Credit unions must continue to build diversified income streams that strike a balance between profit and purpose.
CECL Challenges And Opportunities
The new accounting standard from FASB presents challenges and opportunities to credit unions and CUSOs.
The Year Of Living Dangerously
Introducing monthly dues was a risky move for Arizona Federal. Yet one year later, the credit union has a more engaged membership as a result.
Browse Topics
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.
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.
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.
The Great Wealth Transfer Is Also A Relationship Transfer
Savana Morie
Harvard FCU combines digital estate planning with human financial guidance to support positive, proactive wealth transfer across generations.
The Lending Lag Is Real, And Here’s What Smaller Credit Unions Can Do About It
Callahan & Associates
Discover how small to midsize credit unions can weather the economic headwinds hitting their communities right now.
Fresh Risks For Financial Markets
Jason Haley
Look beyond the headlines to better understand what is driving current market trends and how they could impact credit union investment portfolios.
What’s In A Name: AVP Of Member Insights
Aaron Passman
At Service Credit Union, Dave Widener connects data, strategy, and culture to shape better outcomes for members.
It Takes A Village To Sustain A Village