Month: May 2018

America First Credit Union Holds Free “Shred-Your-Stuff Saturday” this weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

America First Credit Union Holds Free “Shred-Your-Stuff Saturday” this weekend
Shred Day held at multiple branches in Utah this Saturday, June 9

Riverdale, Utah – (Monday, June 4, 2018) Dedicated to providing services that enhance security and support financial well-being for its members, America First Credit Union will hold a free shred day this Saturday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, or until the truck is full. Patrons may bring financial documents and personal information for shredding at no cost to any one of the following branch locations:

Harrisville Branch
358 North Harrisville Rd.
Harrisville, UT 84404

Kaysville Branch
1302 W 200 N.
Kaysville, UT 84037

Lehi Branch
1238 East Timpanogos Highway
Lehi, UT 84043

Providence Macey’s Branch
50 North Highway 165
Providence, UT 84332

West Jordan Branch
7451 South Campus View Drive
West Jordan, UT 84084

Each individual is allowed up to five (5) boxes of materials at a time for shredding. Those with more than five will have the first set shredded and must then get back in line for further service.

For more information, visit americafirst.com, or follow America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

With a long-standing history and more than 79 years servicing members, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 130 locations, and is the 10th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $9.9 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 957,000 members.

 

Media Contact: 
America First Credit Union
Nicole Cypers
ncypers@americafirst.com

Quillin Advertising, Public Relations & Social Media
Tara Trovato
702.800.7803
tara@quillinlv.com

America First branch to welcome new manager

For Immediate Release:

America First branch to welcome new manager
Justin Garrett takes on new role at Bountiful Smith’s Service Center

Riverdale, Utah – (Tuesday, May 29, 2018) – America First Credit Union would like to congratulate Justin Garrett on being selected as the new service center manager of the Bountiful Smith’s branch.

Garrett began his career with America First in September 2012 as a teller at the Bountiful Dick’s branch and was promoted to the backup lead teller one year later at the North Salt Lake Winegar’s branch. He later served as the service center lead teller, and in May 2015, Garrett transferred to the Clearfield Kent’s branch. Garrett has been serving in his current role as the market branch assistant manager of the Bountiful branch since March 2016 and is being promoted to service center manager effective Monday, May 28.

The Bountiful Smith’s branch is located inside the Smith’s Food & Drug at 555 S 200 W, Bountiful, Utah. Branch hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

With a long-standing history and more than 79 years servicing members, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 130 locations, and is the 10th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $9.9 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 957,000 members.

Media Contact:

America First Credit Union
Nicole Cypers
ncypers@americafirst.com

Tara Trovato
Quillin Advertising, Public Relations & Social Media
D: 702.800.7803
C: 702.286.6272
tara@quillinlv.com

America First and West Haven Elementary walk in support of cancer awareness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

America First and West Haven Elementary walk in support of cancer awareness

Riverdale, Utah – (May 25, 2018) –  America First Credit Union went to West Haven Elementary last week and encouraged more than 400 students to participate in the 12th annual Hawk Walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since the Hawk Walk began in 2007, more than $66,000 has been raised for the American Cancer Society. This year, America first added a $2,500 donation to the $3,200 raised by West Haven students and parents, totaling $5,700 for this year’s event and a grand total of more than $71,000.

West Haven Elementary School students, parents and teachers, alongside America First Credit Union representatives, walked in support of cancer awareness. Swoop, the University of Utah mascot, even stopped by to cheer on the kids as they danced and made their rounds around the gym.

For more information on America First Credit Union, visit www.americafirst.com, or follow America First on FacebookInstagramTwitter and Pinterest.

Photos attached:

Students of West Haven Elementary and America First staff walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society, with help from Swoop, the University of Utah mascot.

America First Credit Union and West Haven Elementary present a check to the American Cancer Society.

Woman with girl West Haven elementary walk West Haven elementary walk West Haven elementary walk

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

With a long-standing history and more than 79 years servicing members, America First has become one of the largest, most stable and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 130 locations, and is the 10th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $9.9 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 957,000 members.

 

barbecue

Hosting Your Backyard Barbecue on a Budget

Getting friends and family together for a barbecue is a staple of summer. However, trying to feed & entertain large groups can get expensive if you’re not careful. Here are some ways to grill up some fun without going broke.

Trimming the Bill

You don’t have to wow guests with fancy Japanese wagyu steaks—simple burgers work just fine. Chicken legs & thighs also have a lot of flavor and are usually less expensive. Additionally, good marinades give cheaper meats tender textures and flavorful character. Even low-priced hot dogs can please a crowd when dressed up with delicious toppings & condiments.

Establish a budget and design your menu around what’s on sale. Buy items in bulk when they’re discounted, then freeze them until needed. Take inventory of what you already have before shopping so you don’t double up and waste money.

Sharing the Sides

The host of a barbecue doesn’t have to provide everything. Ask guests to bring side dishes and desserts. Make specific assignments, though, or you could end up with 20 bags of chips. And you’ll need ice—stock up from your own fridge by putting it in plastic bags beforehand. Organizing a pot-luck-style meal also helps you count how many people are coming.

Sides will also reduce the need for costly meats. People will fill up on chips, dips and veggies instead of seconds of the chicken, burgers or steaks. And if you’re asked to bring a side dish, avoid purchasing pre-made food. Make your own pasta salads, rolls or baked beans to save cash.

Finding the Flatware

Most dollar stores have plenty of colorful plates, utensils, napkins, and decorations. If you’re having a smaller gathering, consider using dishes and silverware. Yes, it will make for more work afterward, but it only costs time. You could also invest in reusable plasticware specifically for barbecues.

Planning the Party

Inexpensive activities can also make for a memorable barbecue. Water balloons are a cheap, entertaining way to beat the heat. You could run a three-legged race, set up a simple obstacle course, or stage a watermelon-eating contest. A neighbor might have a volleyball net or horseshoe set that you can borrow. You can also keep kids (and some adults) entertained with a box of sidewalk chalk.

Regardless of what you do, remember that when it comes to backyard barbecues, people tend remember the socializing more than the food. A simple get-together is sometimes the best way to create lasting memories.

senior trip

Graduation Vacation Education: How to Spend Less on your Senior Trip

If you’re wanting to go on a senior trip, but you don’t have quite enough money for an exotic all-inclusive resort, here are some ways you can save some cash while still celebrating your graduation.

Plan it Out

Instead of going wherever the summer wind takes you, make a detailed plan of what you would like to do. This will help you create a budget and determine the most affordable vacation option. Additionally, doing research ahead of time will allow you to compare prices and find the best deals—cutting the cost of travel, food and entertainment.

Stay with Family

If you want to get away for your senior trip, visit a place where you’ve got close friends or family. Staying with relatives will help save you some money, and they can also be a guide to you about where to visit, what to eat, and must-have experiences while you’re there. Just make sure to be a polite house guest, otherwise you may not be invited back.

Be a Local Tourist

Sometimes we don’t appreciate the sights that are in our own backyard. Is there a place of interest within driving distance that you’ve always wanted to see? Is there a nearby tourist attraction that you’ve neglected to visit? Checking sites about your city or state can help you discover new experiences and local events you may not even know about. Seeing your home town from a different perspective can make it feel like a whole new world.

Go Camping

If you and your friends don’t mind going without some creature comforts, travel to the great outdoors for your senior trip. Camping is much cheaper than staying in a hotel, after all, and it can be fun to get away from everything for a while and enjoy nature. You can spend your days in the mountains hiking, swimming, fishing and relaxing in the open air, at little or no cost to you.

Build Your Savings

If you’re graduating this year, then this may be a little too late. However, you can still pass this advice along to your younger siblings: start putting money away as soon as you start getting a paycheck. It doesn’t have to be much, but save something. Building your savings will give you the financial freedom to do things, like have a fun senior trip, and still have money left over.

moms

More Financial Tips from Moms

Since we enjoyed gathering wisdom imparted by the most important people on earth last year, we decided to do another round. Therefore, in honor of Mother’s Day, here is some financial advice & guidance local moms have given or will provide to their kids one day.

Renae

Watch what you are spending. Don’t hamburger-and-French fry your money away. Big spending can happen with lots of little purchases. Know where it’s going. Also, save more from each paycheck than you think you need. Some expensive repair or replacement will always come up when you own a home or a car.

Aimee

For about six months now, I have been putting away about $10 a month into an account for my baby. It’s not much and I really don’t have to look far into my budget to save that amount for her, but my plan is to surprise her with that money several years down the road and show her the importance of saving.

Kelsi

Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it. And make sure to budget for fun. It’s easy to put all of your money toward paying off things like student loans, but then you also have to reward yourself for hard work.

Bethany

Don’t spoil your kids. It’s better for them and it’s better for your budget.

Lisette

You’re never too poor to give. Truly, I have witnessed how generosity has rewards of its own. I believe that hard work makes your dreams possible, but I don’t want you to try to keep up with the Joneses—it’s just not worth it. I want you to be content with what you have, avoid excessive debt, find happiness in living within your means, and commit to saving and preparing for a rainy day.

Tammy

Always keep $20 in cash in your wallet in case of emergencies. Learn how to use a check register—it’s too easy nowadays to just swipe and forget! Establish a savings account and never let your balance drop below a semester’s worth of tuition. And always ask questions if you don’t understand something financial, such as what a W-2 is or how credit works.

Lisa

Save money wherever you can so that you can spend it where you need and want. It’s good to learn to go without things that you want in life if you don’t have the money to pay for them. Things can’t make up for the burden of debt.

Allyson

Take care of your stuff. Always save, budget, and work hard to have enough money to take care of yourself, your family, and to bless other people. Never be in a rush to make a big purchase. Plan and save for those big items you need to buy one day like a car, house, or family vacation, and be willing to wait for a good deal to come along before purchasing it.

Monica

I have always shared with my kids the joy that comes from saving money with a plan to do something fun and exciting for someone else. You can save up and buy yourself whatever it is that you want and it always feels good to get things after saving for it. However, the thrill of watching someone receive something they wouldn’t or couldn’t buy for themselves is better than anything you could ever buy for yourself. Saving money and being smart with financial blessings in life is wise and if you share the wealth, it’s magical!

Han Solo

Financial Lessons from Han Solo

Han Solo is one of the most iconic characters to come from the Star Wars universe. And while we certainly don’t advocate every action of this famous fictional smuggler, here are some financial lessons we can learn from the captain of the Millennium Falcon.

Pay Your Debts

When we first meet Han in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, he’s already in trouble. He has a price on his head because he owes a lot of money to the infamous gangster, Jabba the Hutt. Han is constantly looking over his shoulder, worried that one of Jabba’s bounty hunters will find him. What we can take from this is that excessive debt and living outside your means will weigh you down and can cripple you, financially. When you borrow money for large expense, such as a house or a car, calculate the monthly payments beforehand to make sure it’s one you can afford. Then, once you’ve taken out a loan, make sure that you pay your installments on time and in full.

Performance Precedes Promotion

Han Solo is initially hired to take Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, and R2-D2 to the planet Alderaan. However, when they finally get there, they discover that Alderaan is missing. When Luke asks for additional help to free Princess Leia, Han is able to renegotiate the terms of his contract due to his excellent performance up to that point. At your place of employment, follow through with each of your assignments. As you successfully do your job, you’ll gain the trust of your employer and have more leverage when it comes time to ask for a pay raise.

Buy Used

As many of you already know, Han Solo wasn’t the first owner of the Millennium Falcon. He got that “piece of junk” from his friend, Lando Calrissian. There’s no way that Han could have afforded a YT-1300 Corellian light freighter brand new off the lot, so he had to find another way. When you purchase a vehicle, consider buying a used one. Used cars will cost less up front, of course, but they also don’t depreciate as quickly as new cars and they’ll save you additional money on insurance & registration.

Get Advice from Friends

Even though Han is a notorious loner, he still maintains a close friendship with his co-pilot, Chewbacca. When Han needs to make a decision, he’ll usually discuss it with Chewie first. As the Star Wars saga progresses, Han expands his small council of trusted friends to include Luke and Leia. When you have to make a big financial decision, don’t do it alone. Counsel with those that you trust and consider their feedback. After all, wise financial advice from a friend can help you avoid doing something you’ll regret, such as becoming indebted to a Hutt crime lord.

Volunteers Ensure Value is Delivered to the Members of America First Credit Union

John LundBy John B. Lund, President & CEO

On April 17, America First Credit Union held our 79th Annual Meeting. It is a privilege to be associated with a member-owned cooperative that has endured and thrived for nearly eight decades by assisting families and businesses in achieving financial well-being.

Certainly, one reason for this longevity is our unique structure and leadership. We are fortunate to have a volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of individuals who serve without compensation to ensure that we deliver relevant products and services in a convenient, professional manner; that we help simplify your busy lives; and that we provide ways for you to keep more of your hard-earned money.

At this year’s meeting, Lyle B. Adams, Cathy Person, and John D. Spease were nominated and approved to serve three-year terms on our Board, joining Barney B. Chapman, Linda K. Carver, Gil A. Miller, Kenlon W. Reeve, Michael R. Roden and James G Wendler.

It was also an appropriate opportunity to honor and pay tribute to retiring board members Joy Jex and Ed Cline, who served America First for 39 and 41 years, respectively. Our organization is certainly indebted to their expertise and commitment.

We additionally owe a great deal of gratitude to the volunteers on the Loan Review and Supervisory Committees. The Loan Review Committee allows members the opportunity to request appeals of lending decisions. The committee and members then work together to find beneficial solutions.

The Supervisory Committee offers operational and regulatory oversight, joining senior management and our internal audit department staff to keep the credit union on strong financial footing, with sound policies and procedures.

In his meeting remarks, Chairman Wendler ably summarized our mission at America First: “No matter the area of endeavor, our core values guide how we operate. For this credit union, how we do business is as important as the business we do. We believe in putting the financial well-being of the members first. Whatever the means of access, we are here to serve you.â€

It was my pleasure to report that, by every measure, 2017 was an outstanding year for America First. Our member engagement and service scores are among the very best in the nation. Our federal regulator and outside audit firm provided positive feedback regarding our operation, strategy and financial strength. Money Magazine named America First the best financial institution in Utah. While we are considered a large and complex credit union, our people, systems and philosophy remain personal, approachable and accessible.

On behalf of our volunteers and staff, I express my sincere thanks for choosing America First. We are committed to seeking a lifelong relationship with you and your family.