Author: Jason Wood

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer My maternal grandmother lived to be 102, having been born in 1898 and passing away in 2000.  Reaching the age of over a century is quite an accomplishment and demonstration in perseverance. Perhaps what interests me most about her amazing life, however, is that she experienced firsthand the entire 1900s. It's extraordinary to think of the world's development during her lifetime. She was there for the first automobiles, airplanes, radios, televisions and more. She ultimately witnessed space travel and men landing on the moon. She experienced years when tremendous advances in…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer It's hard to believe 2019 is quickly coming to an end and the holidays are upon us. I do enjoy the season - all the bright lights, beautiful sights, sounds, excitement and activities. Even with the hustle and bustle, there is a peace about this time of year. For me, it's always an opportunity for reflection and appreciation. Part of what makes the season so special are family traditions, some old and others having been recently established. A venerable tradition dear to me is stringing popcorn and cranberries with a needle…

By John B. Lund, President/Chief Executive Officer Thanksgiving and Veterans Day fall in November, the same month my father was born. His passing was 10 years ago, and I miss and think of him often. As his birthdate approaches each year, however, I gain a greater awareness of Dad’s life and the example he set. He was fun-loving, with a terrific sense of humor, and always had a positive attitude. What first comes to mind about my dad, though, is how hard he worked—no matter how small the task or how big the job was, it had to be done…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer Data breaches and fraud are, unfortunately, becoming far too commonplace. In fact, identity theft reportedly occurs every two seconds. Capital One recently suffered a compromise that affected over 100 million people. Numerous large-scale retailers, as well as sophisticated technology companies, have fallen victim to hackers and online criminals. Indeed, most of us have felt the impact of a breach or identity theft in one form or another. It's important we all take steps to protect our information and identity. To follow are some simple suggestions for preventing fraud: Don't offer sensitive…

By Rich Syme, Executive Vice President & Contact Center Delivery, Product Management It's a bit cliché, but to say technology evolves quickly might be the understatement of the century. In my role overseeing our digital services, I can see this transformation up close. It's incredible and, honestly, a little overwhelming just how rapidly change comes to the ways in which we engage with the world and each other. Of special importance to me is the effect such advancement has on day-to-day money management. A central goal is empowering America First members, providing them with the ability to handle their finances in…

By Rex Rollo, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Through July, America First achieved double-digit growth in both assets and deposits, generating earnings that elevated the credit union's net worth to exceed 150% of well-capitalized regulatory requirements. In total, assets of more than $11 billion make us Utah's largest credit union and the ninth most substantial in the nation, with 128 branches in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho. We at America First are privileged to have increased liquidity and an improved efficiency ratio. Such figures for the first six months of 2019 are indeed notable for any financial institution. What sets…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Last month marked the 75th anniversary of the World War II D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. This historic event has always been of deep personal interest. As a young boy, I remember my father telling me about his brother, who at the age of 20 lost his life during the siege at Omaha Beach. I clearly sensed how much he missed his big brother, who was described as handy, someone who loved working on his cherished car, and always a joy to be around. Back then, I knew…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Over many years, I've been privileged to meet and chat with famous athletes and sporting icons, often referred to as cultural heroes. Such individuals include professional basketball players, members of the PGA Tour golf elite, soccer stars, gymnasts, even a few music & entertainment luminaries. The talent with which these folks are blessed and what they accomplish in their endeavors is certainly impressive and appreciated by hundreds of thousands; they inspire and provide us with thrilling memories. However, as I think further about the concept of heroes and how it applies…