Category: President’s Message

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Dear valued members, I feel fortunate and humbled to be a part of such an outstanding organization and I am pleased to report that 2017 was a period of significant accomplishment. Our credit union is strong, stable, and well-positioned for a bright future. We will work diligently to continue earning your trust and support. Additionally, I am honored to report that Money Magazine recognized America First as Utah’s best financial institution; the following principles illustrate just four of the reasons why: Value: We endeavor to provide relevant products and services in a…

By Glen Olpin, Senior Vice President—Chief Economist February of 2018 marks the 104th straight month of national economic recovery. This period of economic improvement may be the longest, yet weakest on record, but there are no signs of a slowdown on the horizon. Utah and neighboring Intermountain West states are experiencing stronger overall growth than the national average. Nationwide strength in economic growth as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) was recently reported for 2017; we expect continued strength throughout this year. Businesses have acted cautiously during the latest cycle of an improving economy; however, recent measures assessing the commercial sector…

By John B. Lund, President & CEO In November, we celebrate two national holidays, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving. As citizens of this country, there is much for which we are rightly grateful, not the least being our veterans, who served and sacrificed to preserve our freedoms, lessen tyranny & oppression all over the world, and provide hope to millions. We at America First Credit Union recently had the opportunity & privilege to support and take part in an effort that benefits World War II veterans. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to recognize veterans for their immeasurable…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Unfortunately, the news of data compromises occurring at merchants, large companies and most recently at Equifax, one of the three major credit-reporting agencies, is increasingly prevalent. Considering the Equifax incident involved nearly half the U.S. population—143 million residents—the chances of any given individual being affected are reasonably high. You can find out if this breach has impacted you at equifax.com. If your information is involved, there are steps you can and should take to protect your identity: If you have an account with Equifax, change the password immediately. Be sure the new…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer It’s September. The kids are back in classes, days are getting a bit shorter, and the harvest is on. We’re entering a wonderful time of year and I hope you’re enjoying it. Each year, our management team establishes an internal theme we use as a principle focus and rallying cry for leadership and training meetings. Throughout 2017, our spotlight has been on Believe. This is a powerful concept, because we are guided and shaped by our beliefs, forming the foundation for the way we think, what we do, and how we live.…

By Rex Rollo, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer I recently had the pleasure of appearing on a KSL Newsradio program to provide commentary regarding our financial environment and how it affects us. We discussed an article in a major publication that indicated the average American had increased his or her checking account balance by $2,000 over the last few years. The host asked if I thought this was an indication of consumers across the country improving their financial health, and if the same were true for America First members. Although I could only speak in general terms about conditions nationally, I…