What makes a credit union different? 

Credit unions have long differentiated themselves by the intimate connections they maintain with the communities they serve. The links between credit unions and their communities have fueled the growth of the credit union industry. But today, those connections are changing, as credit unions evolve and as the people they serve and the places where they live also change. These shifts require credit unions to innovate at the heart of their business model.  

Commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion have proliferated throughout the industry, and many credit unions have doubled down on initiatives to support their employees and—through financial inclusion and social impact programs—their members. Rarely have these efforts been connected, but by aligning investments and acting together, credit unions can amplify their impact. 

In this special Filene research event, we bring together academic and industry experts from the Centers of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Community Social Impact to dig into what it takes to build inclusive and resilient communities—both inside and outside the credit union. How should credit unions act on their DEI and social impact commitments, and how can they see the impact of their investments in their people and their communities?  

Regardless of scale, from the branch to the neighborhood and beyond, foundational credit union values—of inclusion, equity, and security—can lead to profound positive transformations. The prosperity of the credit union community feeds back into the prosperity of the credit union. Ultimately, credit unions are the communities they serve. 

By attending this event, attendees will:

• Learn about the hidden inequalities facing your members and employees and action-based strategies for tackling those inequalities. 

• Gain an understanding of inclusion and resilience – from both organizational and financial perspectives – and how to foster more inclusive and resilient communities inside and outside your organization.  

• Walk away with practical resources to align your DEI and social impact strategies with your business model, offerings, and operations, to track your progress, and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of your work.