President’s Message

Inside the innovation center

The Innovation Center is our New & Interactive Service Experience

John Lund, President, America First Credit Union

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer

We’re excited to introduce our new Innovation Center, located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake’s City Creek destination. The America First Innovation Center will not function as a traditional branch; rather, it will be an engaging and collaborative hub, showcasing advanced technological solutions for multiple service channels. Members and consumers who wish to learn more about America First will have a greater voice in shaping their experience in the future.

Our partners in the project are industry leaders in financial services, providing the latest in cutting-edge tools. Examples include:

• Remote experts — Members can interact with trained staff regarding a wide range of products and services through enhanced 3D, face-to-face video conferencing.

• Self-serve tellers — These units can take deposits, facilitate withdrawals, print money orders & cashier’s checks, and can supplement or replace existing teller stations. They are ideal for members seeking the functionality of a teller with the ease and convenience of an ATM.

• Smart-touch tables — The devices will demonstrate our variety of apps and offer hands-on guidance for our suite of free Mobile Banking products. Members can also engage with 55-inch multi-touch monitors and 3D models to discover more about America First’s great offerings.

• Community Corner, with two 65-inch monitors displaying our extensive social, community, and educational involvement.

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Person giving speech at podium

Members Exercise their Democratic Credit Union Privileges

John Lund, President, America First Credit Union

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer

For 77 years, America First members have voted to elect a volunteer Board of Directors to provide strategic and philosophical guidance that ensures our credit union’s safety, soundness, and ongoing ability to deliver financial value.

This democratic exercise takes place at our annual meeting, which was held April 19, 2016 in Ogden, Utah. Joining us were local officials, credit union & industry representatives, and community stakeholders.

Lyle Adams, Chair of the Board Elections Committee, oversaw the balloting, during which America First Directors Barney Chapman, Kenlon Reeve, and Michael Roden were elected to serve three-year terms.

The Board subsequently chose their leadership, with James Wendler taking the role of Chairman, Linda Carver being named Vice Chair, and Mr. Reeve filling the position of Secretary.

Our Board members give tremendously of their time and talents, serving without compensation, to benefit the organization. They are truly dedicated to improving the economic health of each and every member we are fortunate to have.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our volunteers on the Loan Review and Supervisory Committees. The Loan Review Committee meets with members who were initially denied financing. They work to resolve adverse credit situations and find solutions to challenges. The Supervisory Committee works with internal and external examiners to provide fiscal & regulatory review.

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John lund

Free Services Add Value to and help Simplify your Busy Life

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive OfficerJohn Lund, President, America First Credit Union

Have you left your credit or debit card at a restaurant by accident and been panicked as you call or rush back, hoping it’s still there and has not been fraudulently used? Or you’ve waded through the inconvenience of having your card reissued because your information has been compromised at a local or national merchant?

Most of us can relate these situations and the experience can be very frustrating. To help put your mind at ease about using your America First Visa® Debit and Credit Cards, we are proud to offer unique — and free — tools.

Card Guard™ is a Mobile Banking innovation that puts you in complete control of how, when, and where your cards are used. Download the application on your smartphone and you’ll be able to turn your cards on or off in real time. Additionally, you can allow card use only in certain geographic locations, at merchants and service providers you determine, and you can set threshold dollar amounts for transactions.

Beyond controlling how your cards are used, you can also receive immediate alerts regarding transactions and attempted transactions. Card Guard’s monitoring feature allows you to verify that all of your account activity is legitimate.

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John lund

Guest Commentary: The Secret to Financial Performance

By Rex Rollo, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial OfficerRex Rollo

A typical company’s mid-year financial performance report would include numerous fiscal measurements, such as net income, asset growth, cash flows, and net worth. In addition, comparisons between actual performance, budgeted goals, and projections would likely be drawn.

Rest assured, America First Credit Union has either met or exceeded our targets in all of these indicators during the first half of 2015. Assets will exceed $7 billion before the year ends, our income is on budget, and our net worth ratio is at its highest level in seven years. These favorable numbers demonstrate yet another 12 months of strong financial performance and have resulted in America First being ranked among the strongest of its peers.

Key to these excellent results and the real secret to our success is the relationship we build with each of our members. Because of our dedication to this core ideal, not only has the credit union seen consistent membership growth year after year, there has also been an expansion in the number of products and services being utilized.

This compounded membership growth only occurs when the credit union is able to offer a complete range of quality products and services. It is then enhanced by delivering them through a wide selection of convenient, world-class channels. Our goal is not only to provide our members with the finest financial services, but to make them available whenever, wherever, and however members choose to transact their business.

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