Category: President’s Message

By Thayne Shaffer, President and Chief Executive Officer Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in an event sponsored jointly by America First and the Las Vegas Raiders at the stunning new Allegiant Stadium. The gathering was held to recognize the finalists in the inaugural Raiders Small Business Showcase Presented by America First Credit Union, which highlights outstanding contributions to our communities by small businesses. Over the course of the evening, I was able to speak with many impressive small business owners and see the sizable and varied impact they have on their communities. This year’s grand-prize winner was Felicia…

By Thayne Shaffer, President and CEO Recently, I have been reflecting on my first days at America First Credit Union. From the beginning, I knew it was a special organization, and I quickly recognized that a strong, common thread wove through each meeting, strategy discussion, and decision. That thread was the shared desire and consistent effort to always do what was best for our members. It is one of the aspects I love most about our credit union, and a large part of what has kept me here for 33 years. Much has changed throughout that time. As we have…

By David Stacey, Senior Vice President - Treasury Services The recovering economy was abruptly upended last February when fears of an obscure virus infecting a remote part of China blossomed into today's global COVID-19 pandemic. Contamination spread like a shock wave, halting the longest expansionary economic period on record. The Federal Reserve, U.S. Congress, and White House quickly united in a national nurturing effort, slashing rates, sending checks to most Americans, delivering benefits to those who were furloughed, and providing liquidity to businesses. Nearly 21 million individuals lost their jobs between March and April, shaking consumer confidence and prompting families…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer We have all probably experienced seeing someone in need, but may have felt helpless, lacking the resources or ability to intervene. We also likely know others who find a way to lend comfort, no matter the circumstances. One such person is named Dale and, with his permission, I will share some of his story. Dale has faced many significant challenges and knows what it's like to be desperate, out of work, without transportation, lacking hope, and fearing what comes next. He battled substance abuse and addiction for over 20 years. A…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer What a year 2020 has been. The pandemic continues causing a high degree of sadness, illness and death. Unemployment remains high, businesses and the economy are being damaged, many facets of our lives are disrupted, and civil unrest is unfolding across the country we all face additional stress and worry. If this weren't enough, we experienced both unseasonably low and high temperatures, gale-force winds, fires, smoke, and other weather-related challenges. It's certainly shaping up as a time for the record books. Mr. Rogers, however, would probably have something to say about…

Dear Members,We can probably all agree that this spring and summer have been seasons without comparison, as we work to navigate troubled and uncharted waters. People around the world are anxious for some good news regarding a vaccine or an effective form of COVID-19 treatment. I am confident our scientific and medical community will eventually prevail.I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for the America First team of volunteers and employees. Each day, they are adapting to and meeting members’ changing needs. It’s been inspiring to watch and be part of such an amazing group sharing a…

By Rex Rollo, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer In the mid-18th century, Benjamin Franklin said, "Some people are weatherwise, but most are otherwise." Such disciplined attention to everyday events helped Mr. Franklin navigate life during stormy weather, and his sentiment illustrates that planning for the future is a key principle of long-term success. I think Ben would agree the best time to make sure you have a good umbrella is while the sun is still shining. As we and our members have faced COVID-19's economic fallout, America First has benefitted from preparations we've been making since the Great Recession, working…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer I think it is safe to say this has not been the year any of us expected. With everything that has happened, it feels like we have had a decade's worth of newsworthy and challenging events packed into just the last six months. Almost overnight the threat of COVID-19 transformed our routines, communities, businesses & economy, and permeated so many aspects of our lives. Concepts like social distancing, being apart together, flattening the curve, and working from home have entered our common lexicon. Civil unrest on a scale we have not…

By John B. Lund, President/Chief Executive Officer Dear Valued Members, During the past several weeks, we have all experienced considerable anxiety and made significant adjustments to how we interact with one another and conduct business. We've experienced fear, not just of potential illness, but that of facing significant hardships such as job loss, the inability to establish normal routines, dealing with children out of school, and other uncertainties. Throughout, I have certainly learned to more fully appreciate life and the good things we cherish most. On March 16, America First quietly passed our 81st birthday. Over the decades, this organization…

By Glen Olpin, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist The nation's ongoing fiscal recovery has become the longest-running period of American economic growth on record. January was the 127th month of expansion since the Great Recession concluded, far surpassing the previous mark. However, it is also notable that the pace of improvement is the slowest in history. Consumers are leading the way, as our collective confidence is at an all-time high; many are comfortable with increasing their spending and debt levels. Personal income is up from last year, while inflation risk and U.S. unemployment remain low. Utah and Idaho enjoy…