Attracting and retaining millennials— those ages 18 to 34—is critically important to credit unions. Young members, in part because they’ve historically been heavy borrowers, are the lifeblood of a healthy, vibrant cooperative finance sector.

But young people face some especially important challenges in what has been a comparatively weak economic recovery. That makes engagement more difficult—but also more important than ever.

For evidence of the challenges one need look no further than the jobs picture. While top-line metrics clearly show significant U.S. labor market improvements, various ancillary measures continue to raise important concerns.

The current 5.4% national unemployment rate is nearly a point lower than year-ago readings, is well below the 10% cyclical high, and is nearing the prerecession level of 5%.

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