Category: President’s Message

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Each spring, America First members gather to elect a volunteer Board of Directors to lead our credit union, renew our bond, and honor our legacy as a not-for-profit cooperative. The Board provides us with strategic guidance, ensuring our ongoing safety, soundness, and ability to deliver relevant financial value. The process takes place at the annual meeting, which this year was held on April 18, 2017 in Ogden, Utah. Joining us were local officials, as well as credit union & industry representatives. Kenlon W. Reeve, acting Chair of the Board Election Nominations Committee,…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer Dear members, It's my privilege to thank you for your membership, loyalty, and confidence in America First. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to present an annual report of the credit union’s performance & initiatives. Our volunteer and employee team strives for excellence each and every day, remaining passionate about developing and delivering superior financial services. We experienced another outstanding year and are well-positioned for a bright and vibrant future. As we look forward in an ever-changing industry, I often ask myself why I would choose America First as my primary…

By Glen Olpin, Senior Vice President/Chief Economist Each new year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the financial trends & conditions that have affected the membership over the past 12 months, as well as forecast how these economic factors will impact our operations going forward. We expect a strengthening national economy this year, improving somewhat from what we experienced in 2016. A recent survey indicates most America First members have a wait-and-see attitude toward economic growth. Only 27% of respondents see an improvement coming, compared with over 30% a year ago. However, since the resolution of the U.S. presidential election,…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer I am pleased to report that 2016 was another outstanding year. Your credit union remains safe, strong, well respected, and positioned for a bright and vibrant future. To be part of a truly outstanding organization and team--that has among its core principles the mission to improve the financial well-being of its members, as well as the communities in which we live and work--is extremely gratifying. We strive to create meaningful relationships by providing relevant and affordable financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. Significant milestones we reached include surpassing $8 billion in…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer During my youth, the holidays and Christmas were modest, yet memorable times. It is a meaningful life lesson for me in reflecting back that I remember very few specific gifts. However, the inspiring sights, the wonderful scents, the delicious foods, and the fun I had with friends and family are precious, vivid recollections that stay with me to this day. When she was preparing for the season, my mother made fantastic meals that would be enjoyed not just at one sitting, but for days thereafter. My favorites included macaroni & shrimp salad,…

By John B. Lund, President & Chief Executive Officer On a recent visit to one of the country’s larger cities, I arrived several hours prior to my first meeting. With the extra time, I decided to go for a walk/run in an effort to get my daily steps in. As I headed down the street, I came upon a small park with a three-lane, quarter-mile track around the perimeter, which made it the ideal place to exercise without having to deal with traffic, etc. During my first lap, I noticed an older gentleman pushing a young man in a wheelchair who…

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer One of the things I appreciate most about America First is the people with whom I am privileged to work, such as Thayne Shaffer, our senior vice president & controller. Thayne shared with us the story of his grandfather, who served during World War II as an engineer in a B-24 bomber. It is a heartwarming description of service, teamwork and patriotism that his family has kindly allowed me to relate to the membership. Ray Albiston was born on January 10, 1913 in Whiskey Gap, Alberta, Canada. In his youth, Ray…