Category: President’s Message

By Glen Olpin - Senior Vice President & Chief Economist As economic expansion in the United States continues, we are approaching one of the longest-running periods of growth on record, with the 120-month benchmark likely to be surpassed in 2019. We expect this positive trend to extend through the year. Overall economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product, has seen ongoing improvement in Utah and neighboring western states. These have been among the top states in economic strength and we believe such strong performance will be ongoing. Consumers are leading the recovery, their confidence being at an all-time high.…

By John B. Lund, President and CEO It’s hard for me to believe another year has come and gone, yet I always appreciate this annual opportunity to pause and reflect on treasured memories & accomplishments. Additionally, it’s a time to re-focus our efforts toward achieving the goals being set for the months ahead. Reader’s Digest traditionally compiles its 15 most popular New Year’s resolutions. Here is the 2019 list: Get into shape Lose weight Enjoy life to the fullest Spend less, save more Dedicate additional time to family, friends Become better organized Learn something new Travel Break a smartphone addiction…

By John B. Lund, President & CEO As I write this message, I have very mixed and deep emotions. I always look forward to the holidays and the excitement, splendor, beauty, and feelings of good will they bring. At the same time, I realize there are individuals and families under tremendous stress, who are facing hardships, or who have broken hearts and cause to mourn. The holidays can bring significant peace and comfort during these times, yet in some cases, the season may seem to magnify the difficulties they are going through. I’ve also been thinking about the recent observation…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer I recently heard a neighbor refer to the buddy system in conversation, immediately bringing back memories of my youth and participating in Boy Scouts of America activities. Whenever our troop went on a campout, hike or other outdoor excursion, we always paired off and were assigned a buddy for the event’s duration. Additionally, each child received a designated number to remember and count off during roll calls. At the time, although I knew these were safety measures, I did not understand the true power of this seemingly simple procedure. Years later,…

By Rich Syme, Executive Vice President, Digital & Contact Center Delivery-Product Management Of my childhood memories, those that stand out most vividly are the family trips to Grandma’s house in Lyman, Wyoming. It was there we’d spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and just about every other occasion worth celebrating. Congregating in her kitchen, we were surrounded by stories, laughter and the delicious aroma of what was cooking. Another detail I clearly recall was the black rotary phone hanging on the wall—the kind you would literally dial. It was an endless source of entertainment for my cousins and me. In those days, small…

By Rex Rollo, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer In a beautiful poem titled "A Nation's Strength," Ralph Waldo Emerson reveals the true measure of any country's success. His verse, consisting of only six stanzas, has a deep and clear message. Emerson suggests it is the people of a society "not its might, riches or natural resources” that make it strong. Here at America First, we realize our health & stability are derived from the same source: the families & businesses we serve. This knowledge forms the basis of our motto, Members come first. Further, the credit union's mission statement declares…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer I am pleased to officially announce the merger of Altier Credit Union of Tempe, Arizona and America First Credit Union. Following much thought and many discussions, it became clear that this partnership was an outstanding match in terms of culture, service ethic and strategy. Under the agreement, America First will be the continuing credit union. Altier opened in 1947 as the Salt River Valley Water Users Association employee credit union. In 2006, it was re-named Altier and the field of membership expanded to include residents of Maricopa County, Arizona. The credit…

By John B. Lund, President & CEO On April 17, America First Credit Union held our 79th Annual Meeting. It is a privilege to be associated with a member-owned cooperative that has endured and thrived for nearly eight decades by assisting families and businesses in achieving financial well-being. Certainly, one reason for this longevity is our unique structure and leadership. We are fortunate to have a volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of individuals who serve without compensation to ensure that we deliver relevant products and services in a convenient, professional manner; that we help simplify your busy lives; and that we…