August 2015 - America First Newsroom

America First Credit Union Encourages Photo Submissions for Back-to-School Facebook Contest

-One lucky winner will be awarded a $500 VISA gift card-

Riverdale, Utah – In the spirit of the Back-to-School season and to lessen the financial burden of costs associated with school clothing and supplies, America First Credit Union has launched a photo contest on its Facebook page, encouraging submissions from parents of children partaking in the first day of school. One lucky winner will be awarded a $500 VISA gift card to help lessen what can be an expensive time for families.

Members and social media followers are invited to participate by submitting a photo on the America First Facebook page through Wednesday, Aug. 26. For more information, read the contest rules and regulations.

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest.

America First Credit Union Opens 112th Branch Location, Continuing 2015 Growth

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union will welcome residents of Herriman with the opening of its newest location at 5438 West 13400 South Herriman in Herriman, Utah on Monday, Aug. 17. The third branch opening of 2015, the Herriman opening signifies a strong first half of the year for America First, marking 112 branch locations throughout Utah and Southern Nevada.

Kamille Lopez will serve as branch manager of the Herriman location. Lopez is a Utah native, having graduated from Jordan High School. Her career began with America First Credit Union in December 2006 when she served as a teller and Lopez has progressed through the credit union in such roles as lead teller, assistant manager and branch manager.

A grand opening ribbon cutting will take place on Friday, Aug. 28 with celebratory events held Aug. 28 – September 5. The branch is located at 5438 West 13400 South Herriman, UT 84096. Branch hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest.

Hot Loans, Cool Prizes

Summers are always great. But at America First, they’re even better.

Make the most of the sizzling season with our financial services — and you’ll have a chance at some seriously sweet giveaways!

Get affordable financing, open a new account, or use your America First Visa® Credit Card and you’ll be automatically entered to win our grand prize: a $10,000 loan payout!

Plus, we’ll be offering a host of other items perfect for summer with our Pick your Prize contest.
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Security Update: Keeping Kids Safe Online

Summer is in full swing and, although there are lots of outdoor activities going on, it’s also a season when children remain tethered to electronic devices. To follow are a couple of tips for keeping your kids cyber-secure.

• Many youngsters carry smartphones these days, which keep them connected to each other and able to reach their parents in emergencies. It’s wise to be knowledgeable about the apps your kids are using on these phones and make sure they are downloaded from reputable stores, with the proper privacy disclosures and settings.

• Apps sharing locations with friends and family can be useful, but take care with these programs and understand the risks generated by putting any personal information online. That’s especially good advice for young people.
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Handling your 401k when Changing Jobs

When you make a career switch, you also need to decide what you’re going to do with your 401k.

Should you leave the funds where they are or take your plan with you? Should you roll the money into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or transfer it to your new employer? Here are some choices:

• Take the money and run — You can withdraw your 401k in a lump sum and use the funds to meet expenses or invest elsewhere. Because these distributions involve complex tax issues, it’s always wise to consult a professional for more information.

• Another option is to simply leave resources in your old employer’s 401k and let them grow tax-deferred. However, you may not always have this opportunity, because some companies require you to take your money or withdraw it once you reach normal retirement age.
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Guest Commentary: The Secret to Financial Performance

By Rex Rollo,Â Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

A typical companyâ€™s mid-year financial performance report would include numerous fiscal measurements, such as net income, asset growth, cash flows, and net worth. In addition, comparisons between actual performance, budgeted goals, and projections would likely be drawn.

Rest assured, America First Credit Union has either met or exceeded our targets in all of these indicators during the first half of 2015. Assets will exceed $7 billion before the year ends, our income is on budget, and our net worth ratio is at its highest level in seven years. These favorable numbers demonstrate yet another 12 months of strong financial performance and have resulted in America First being ranked among the strongest of its peers.

Key to these excellent results and the real secret to our success is the relationship we build with each of our members. Because of our dedication to this core ideal, not only has the credit union seen consistent membership growth year after year, there has also been an expansion in the number of products and services being utilized.

This compounded membership growth only occurs when the credit union is able to offer a complete range of quality products and services. It is then enhanced by delivering them through a wide selection of convenient, world-class channels. Our goal is not only to provide our members with the finest financial services, but to make them available whenever, wherever, and however members choose to transact their business.

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