Month: March 2019

Founding Principles of Integrity Lead to a Legacy of Strength

John LundBy John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer

Dear members,

I am honored to report on behalf of America First Credit Union and express my appreciation for your membership and support. This year, we celebrate our 80th anniversary—Fort Douglas Civilian Employees Credit Union was founded on March 16, 1939. Although our origins are humble, the 59 members who formed this cooperative had one simple yet powerful objective: helping each other improve their collective and individual financial well-being. Building on this same focus and passion, America First now stands as one of the strongest and most well-respected credit unions in the country.

The past 12 months have produced outstanding results. Although we are a national top-10 credit union and have a significant presence, we endeavor each day to provide relevant, affordable products in a convenient, professional and personal manner. In 2018, Forbes ranked America First #1 in their Best-In-State credit union review; I humbly agree.

We have three pillars guiding our operation to ensure long-term health and vitality:

  • Lifetime relationships with members.
  • Strategic and balanced growth.
  • Financial strength and integrity.

LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS

Our loyalty, retention and utilization numbers are among the industry’s highest. America First’s Net Promoter Score—a benchmark for evaluating service quality—stood at 81.9 at year’s end, a mark achieved only by the best of the best.

To establish lasting connections, we develop services, tools and information geared to benefit members throughout life’s many stages. We have youth and student accounts designed to increase financial literacy and promote responsibility. We deliver free checking, free debit cards, and free 24/7 account access through mobile and online banking, as well as at thousands of ATMs. With Visa® from America First, you’ll earn cash back, rewards, merchant-paid discounts and additional cash rebates.

No-cost financial counseling is available to those seeking a helping hand with budgeting, planning, or setting a new economic course. Members can review their credit scores for free, while our branches host free educational seminars and document shredding services, among other events.

America First proudly provides a diverse array of lending products, including Visa credit cards, lines of credit, mortgages and home equity loans, auto & RV financing and personal loans, as well as Small Business Administration and commercial loans. In addition, we provide investments, trust services, insurance, and a full complement of savings vehicles, including money market, certificate, retirement and health savings accounts.

To combat the prevalence of data breaches and fraud, we offer members and their families identity theft recovery and monitoring services. This is tremendous coverage that extends beyond America First accounts. All that is required for this protection is to hold a Visa credit card from America First. Similarly, free Card Guard® mobile security allows real-time control of when, where and how your Visa is used.

We maintain a large branch network throughout Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho. Additional locations are planned this year. Credit union access and communication is provided via our robust website, free telephone banking, toll-free contact centers, secure email, and live chat. We foster informative, engaging social and digital media dialogue.

Our premier mobile and electronic services are nationally recognized for technology, simplicity and functionality. Products include mobile deposit, mobile & online bill pay, Apple, Android and Samsung Pay, person-to-person payments, and more.

GROWING IN A BALANCED, STRATEGIC MANNER

At America First, we do not seek to grow for the sake of growth. Expanding opportunity strategically and carefully gives us the ability to adapt products, services, security measures and other offerings to changing needs. Balanced growth further reduces risk, sustains appropriate capital levels, and promotes ongoing success.

A few highlights for 2018 are:

  • Utah’s #1 credit union
  • The country’s 9th largest credit union with assets exceeding $10 billion
  • The nation’s 6th most substantial with over one million members and the 8th largest in terms of deposits
  • Leading business, mortgage & credit card provider
  • The region’s #1 auto lender
  • Successfully merged with Altier Credit Union of Arizona
  • Five new branch locations opened
  • New departments established to enhance service and security

ENSURING FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND INTEGRITY

America First is fiscally sound and independently rated as one of the country’s most secure credit unions. We closed the year with $1.114 billion in net worth and a net worth ratio of 11.08%. Our federal regulator, the National Credit Union Administration, considers a net worth ratio of 7% to be well-capitalized. Last year, we received positive results from our annual regulatory and external audit examinations.

Net income for 2018 totaled $119.3 million. Assets were up by 11.65%, closing at $10.3 billion. Return on assets was a strong 1.20%. Membership grew at a healthy 10.63%, while deposits increased $989.5 million or 12.24%. Loans increased at a rate of 21.08%, finishing the year at $8.4 billion. Loan delinquency increased slightly to 1.16%. Our allowance for loan and lease loss is more than adequate to absorb any portfolio deficiencies.

This commitment to integrity extends beyond our role as a financial institution. We believe in the importance of good corporate citizenship and enhancing the communities we share. America First works to improve our schools, provide for the less fortunate, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Such programs include food drives, our Warm the Soles campaign, the Souper Bowl of Caring, the 100% For Kids Credit Union Education Foundation, the credit union’s own charitable foundation, scholarships, and many other worthy causes. Further, our team donates considerable hours of personal time to service outreach.

My deepest gratitude is extended to the volunteers and staff, who are passionate about serving the membership, whether directly or indirectly. Our commitment to the uppermost standards of ethics and integrity, forward-thinking strategies, prudent financial management, and excellence in service has endured the test of time and the inevitability of changing economic cycles. It’s therefore a pleasure to state that our credit union is strong, vibrant and well-positioned for the future. Finally, I express my utmost appreciation to you as valued members. We pledge our best efforts to maintain your trust and establish a lifelong relationship.

federal holidays

A Brief Explanation of Federal Holidays

Federal holidays have been around since 1870, but back then they only applied to government employees in the District of Colombia. As time went on, these officially recognized calendar holidays have broadened to honor icons & aspects of American heritage that have shaped us as a nation. On these holidays, all non-essential federal government offices are closed. Also closed are federally chartered financial institutions, including credit unions and banks. This is because many, like America First, depend on national agencies to process specific transactions.

There are currently 10 federal holidays:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
  • Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (first Monday in September)
  • Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
  • Veterans’ Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

If it falls on a weekend, the holiday will usually be observed on the closest weekday. Credit unions also close for official state holidays. In Utah, for example, America First offices close for Pioneer Day (July 24), while our Nevada locations will be closed on Nevada Day (last Friday in October) and Family Day (the day after Thanksgiving).

Although you’ll find our branches unavailable on federal holidays, we’re open to serve you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year with online and mobile banking, as well as at thousands of ATMs nationwide.

America First Credit Union Celebrates 80 Years of Serving Members

For Immediate Release:

America First Credit Union Celebrates 80 Years of Serving Members
Credit Union asks members to share their thoughts and pictures on Friday, March 15, 2019

Riverdale, Utah – (Thursday, March 14, 2019) – With a long-standing history of 80 years, America First Credit Union is inviting members to participate in their Member Appreciation Day on Friday, March 15.

Using the #AFCU80years hashtag, America First Credit Union is asking members to celebrate with them by sharing on their social media platforms. Post a picture, share a story or let America First know how long you have been a member. America First will also be providing cookies at all branches on Friday to celebrate with members.

“As the primary financial partner to more than one million members, we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with them,” said John Lund, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “For 80 years our members have trusted us as their financial institution and we will to continue to serve our members with the upmost admiration for the years to come.”

America First Credit Union was founded on March 16, 1939 at the Hotel Newhouse in Salt Lake City, Utah. At that time, a Prince Albert tobacco can was used to hold all cash deposits, which totaled $788 in total assets and 79 members. For eight decades, America First Credit Union has remained dedicated to creating lifetime memberships with those served.

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
Proudly celebrating 80 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, 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 128 locations, and is the 10th largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $10.3 billion, and the sixth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1,000,000 members.

Media Contact:

America First Credit Union
Nicole Cypers
ncypers@americafirst.com

Quillin Advertising, Public Relations & Social Media
Julian Lupo
D: 702-818-1637
julianl@quillinlv.com