There are many in our community who go hungry every day or who don’t know where they will get their next meals.

Thankfully, your generosity always comes through to combat this unfortunate trend. Please join America First to ensure the Greater Good food drive is a successful fall tradition.

We’ll be accepting canned & non-perishable food items–as well as other necessities, such as toothbrushes, diapers and soap—at all locations through Saturday, October 21.

You’ll be entered* in a drawing for an Apple Watch for each contribution you offer, plus you’ll be making a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.

Please visit us here locate an office near you.

*Eligibility & conditions apply to the drawing. Must be 18 years of age to participate.

America First Financial Solutions can help you reach your money-management goals, including:

• Planning for your retirement
• Funding your family’s education
• Maximizing your IRA benefits
• And getting the most out of your investments

Schedule a no-cost consultation today.

With a quick & easy home equity loan from America First, you’ll have the resources ready to tackle that much-needed remodeling project.

• Fund additions & expansions
• Options with no closing costs
• Potential tax advantages
• Fixed terms and affordable payments

Plus, you’ll benefit from low rates, the best in quality member service, and more.

Apply today.

The popularity of online shopping unfortunately brings an increase in cybercriminals targeting unwary consumers.

When you make purchases via the Internet, you’ll need to take a few precautions:

• Type the merchant’s URL
  Instead of just clicking on a link, it’s safer to enter the retailer’s site directly into your browser’s address bar.
• Use a dedicated email account
  Consider creating an address dedicated specifically to online shopping. This can help reduce the risk of malicious messages disguised as sales promotions or other notifications.
• Manage & protect access
  Using a password manager can help you to deal with multiple accounts. Most antivirus and Internet security software include these security features.
• Be careful with Wi-Fi
  When you’re in a shopping mall, it can be useful to make a last-minute comparison with the best deals online. You can do this with your mobile device, rather than tapping in to vulnerable public Wi-Fi networks.

And for updates regarding how America First is continually working to help guard your resources, visit us here.

Creating a new product or service is exciting. And one of the primary reasons for this is that you’re eager to produce sales and get it on the market. So getting trademark protection certainly makes, but watch out for mailings & information that looks official but is really just a scam to get your money.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Federal Trade Commission are alerting consumers that there are companies pretending to be these government agencies or their partners—and they’re tricking people into paying them fees.

Such enterprises send patent & trademark holders solicitations that offer to do things like renew registrations, provide monitoring services, record marks with government agencies, or list them on a private registry. In almost all cases, what’s offered is overpriced, unnecessary, or outright fraud.

The names and emblems these imposters use on their forms help them seem like they’re connected with the U.S. government. Some have paid them hundreds or even thousands, mistakenly thinking they were responsible for legitimate registration & maintenance costs.

Read any notice about your patent or trademark carefully. Official mail comes from the United States Patent & Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia. If you get an authentic email, the domain will be @uspto.gov. And if you’ve experienced this or other scams, file a report here.

If you’re heading abroad, whether it’s for business or it’s finally time for that dream vacation, we provide foreign currency exchange services to help you make the most of your journey.

America First offers low fees, competitive rates, overnight delivery & more. Some details are:

• $5,000 per-transaction limit
• Purchases by cash or collected account funds only
• Two-day pickups requested (orders are returned after five days)
• $10 per transaction (buying or selling)
• Additional $10 for orders under $300 U.S.
• $15 for FedEx Priority Express (available by noon the next business day)

It’s available at select branches—click here to find one near you.

The RV you’ve always dreamed of owning can become a reality with a low-rate loan from America First.

We offer:

• 12-year fixed terms
• 20-year balloon payments
• Flexible options, unmatched service & more

Choose your credit union for the freedom to finance your getaways.

Apply today.

It’s that time again: family vacations, day excursions, maybe even the trip you’ve been planning for years. And there’s no better way to pay for these opportunities than with your America First Visa® cards.

But before you leave, please inform us so we can safeguard your resources.

Call 1-800-999-3961 or log in to free online banking. Use the Other Services tab and look for the Visa traveling form in the bottom-left corner.

You can also visit this link for further information about protecting your finances.

It makes good financial sense to routinely check & update your America First beneficiaries. You designate who will receive your resources and it’s important to ensure your payable-on-death and individual retirement account (IRA) information is correct.

Many life changes can affect who you want to benefit from your accounts. If you’re newly married, had a child, been divorced or experienced the loss of immediate family member, it’s important to review these individuals.

Payable-on-death designees have rights to funds after all account owners and joint owners have passed. For IRAs, both primary and contingent beneficiaries may be added with corresponding percentages.

For help with beneficiary designations or if you have questions, please contact us or stop by your local branch.

For many, summer vacation planning is done according to a reasonable budget. You research flights, accommodations & destinations; you book the lower-priced alternatives; and you weigh the cost against your savings accumulated specifically for this purpose.

Then you arrive and financial responsibility goes out the window. You’re soon spending without limits and paying no heed to the costs of extras & incidentals. Before you embark this year, here are some tips to consider:

• Have a goal. Do you want a full two weeks away in another part of the country or would a long weekend at a state park give you the rest & relaxation you need? Think about this issue before you start digging into the details.
• You’re in control. Where to go and how much to spend is up to you. Take a vacation you can afford and live within your means while you’re there.
• Go beyond the initial price tag. We all encounter hidden costs, fees, and taxes that come with hotel stays and airline tickets. Don’t forget these things when you’re drawing up your balance sheet.
• Look ahead. When you get home, begin putting money aside for the next trip. A great way to do this is with a dedicated savings account from America First. With this option, you’ll benefit from competitive returns, convenience & flexibility, and more.

Visit us here for more information about achieving financial health.