Camille Thomas will serve as branch manager of the new Albuquerque America First Credit Union (left). Thomas cuts the ribbon for the Albuquerque branch opening. More photos can be found here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – March 14, 2022 – To satisfy an underserved area in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city and its economic capital, America First Credit Union has opened its newest branch. This is the credit union’s first branch in New Mexico and 119th branch across Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho. On Friday, the credit union held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the branch’s grand opening.

America First’s new Albuquerque branch opens with five team members under the leadership of Camille Thomas as branch manager. Thomas is a creative financial expert with 20 years of financial services leadership experience. She was a VP, branch manager at Kirtland Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque prior to joining America First Credit Union. Thomas has extensive experience in all aspects of a financial institution, including member service, lending and operations.

“America First Credit Union is proud to call New Mexico home and to strengthen our ties to the Southwest and this wonderful community,” said Thayne Shaffer, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “Albuquerque is rapidly growing, and our new site sets us up well for our next chapter of expansion.”

In celebration of the grand opening, America First members who open a new savings or new checking account and deposit $25 during the first two weeks of opening will receive $100. There will also be a chance for members to win a $500 America First Visa card for members who visit the branch during that time.

The credit union plans to hire several new employees. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit America First’s career page.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

Proudly celebrating 82 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, America First Credit Union 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 119 locations, and is the seventh largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $16 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.2 million members.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Nicole Cypers
America First Credit Union
801.827.8655
ncypers@americafirst.com

Kelsey Richardson
R&R Partners
801.913.9454
kelsey.richardson@rrpartners.com

Riverdale, Utah – March 10, 2022 – America First Credit Union has launched its second annual FUNDamentals teacher grant competition where it will be giving away $5,000 in grant awards to K–12 educators who are commitment to elevating youth financial literacy.

To apply for one of the 10 $500 grants, K–12 teachers using the financial literacy program FUNDamentals can share a picture of themselves and/or their students using the program and complete a short nomination form.

FUNDamentals is a customizable financial literacy program created for K–12 students and teachers. This free program empowers educators to teach important monetary concepts and offers a customizable program, unlike many one-size-fits-all programming by other providers. The program includes entertaining videos, clever handouts, engaging presentations, and easy-to-read articles.

One of 2021’s grant recipients, West Point Jr. High teacher Kristy Larsen, shared upon receiving the grant, “I love teaching and I love kids. For America First to give me this opportunity to spend money on my students and things they need is awesome. The FUNDamentals program has prepared lesson plans from America First. All I do is log in and download the hour and half lesson plans. It’s a great tool, especially for a teacher who is short on time.”

Teachers can request access to FUNDamentals by visiting www.education.americafirst.com. Additional information on the teacher grant programs can be found at www.americafirst.com/learn/financial-literacy-program.

Nominations for the competition are open through March 31 and winning teachers will be randomly selected no later than April 15. Winners will be honored as part of the credit union’s celebration of Financial Literacy Month in April.

“Our goal is to make financial literacy easily accessible to educators and students,” said Thayne Shaffer, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “All too often, teachers lack access to free and customizable programs. Our FUNDamentals program takes that challenge away, and this competition rewards teachers for rising to the occasion.”

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

Proudly celebrating 82 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, America First Credit Union 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 119 locations, and is the seventh largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $16 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.2 million members.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Nicole Cypers
America First Credit Union
801.827.8655
ncypers@americafirst.com

Kelsey Richardson
R&R Partners
801.913.9454
kelsey.richardson@rrpartners.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Small Business Spotlight winner will receive a customized single-season sponsorship valued at $200K

Riverdale, UT – March 8, 2022 – America First Credit Union (AFCU) and the Utah Jazz are excited to announce the inaugural “Small Business Spotlight” contest. Together, these partners are giving small businesses in Utah the opportunity to compete for a customized single-season sponsorship agreement valued at approximately $200,000 with the Utah Jazz. The winning business will also participate in business and marketing strategy meetings with executives from the Utah Jazz and America First Credit Union.

The contest is open to Utah-based for-profit small businesses with an annual revenue of less than $10 million. Participants can enter on America First’s website and provide their contact information and a short profile about why a sponsorship would help their business.

All entries must be submitted by May 1, 2022, and finalists will pitch their businesses to judges for final selection. Representatives from America First and the Utah Jazz, as well as community and business leaders, make up the selection committee. The finalists will be invited to attend a private reception at Vivint Arena where the winner of the contest will be announced.

Businesses will be evaluated on how well they represent Utah, how much they currently give back to the community, and how this opportunity will help them execute their business objectives successfully. All participants will be subject to the Official Rules. Click here for official rules.

“Small businesses have really been impacted over the past couple of years,” said America First president and CEO, Thayne Shaffer. “With the support of the Utah Jazz, we’re excited to be able to offer this sponsorship to a deserving small business in our community. As an organization, we want to encourage innovating entrepreneurship throughout our state and this is just one way we’re doing that.”

“The Utah Jazz have tremendous respect for small businesses, the challenges they face and how integral they are to our local communities,” said Chris Barney, Utah Jazz chief revenue officer. “We are very excited about this program with America First to use our high-profile platform as an NBA team to support a small business and provide a tangible service to help boost their marketing and sales efforts.”

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

Proudly celebrating 82 years of servicing members and a long-standing history, America First Credit Union 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 119 locations, and is the seventh largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $16 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.2 million members.

ABOUT THE UTAH JAZZ

Founded as the 18th member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974, and located in Salt Lake City since 1979, the Utah Jazz are committed to excellence as a team and in the community. On the court, the Jazz are the second-winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years, having won nine division titles and two Western Conference championships along with 17 seasons of 50-plus wins, and are supported by one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. The Utah Jazz also operate the Junior Jazz program, the largest and longest-running youth basketball league in the NBA, featuring more than 60,000 players and an additional 13,000 volunteers who take part annually across six states. For more information on the Utah Jazz, visit www.utahjazz.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Nicole Cypers
America First Credit Union
801.827.8655
ncypers@americafirst.com

Kelsey Richardson
R&R Partners
801.913.9454
kelsey.richardson@rrpartners.com

Frank Zang
Utah Jazz
801-325- 2570
frank.zang@utahjazz.com