-Card Guard allows members to manage card use via smartphone device-

Riverdale, Utah –  America First Credit Union today unveiled a revolutionary security tool, known as America First Card Guard, further protecting members and enabling them the power to control when and how any of their credit, debit or ATM cards are used.  Members can be alerted on every transaction and attempted transaction. The free tool, available for download via an iPhone or Android app, allows members to manage their Visa® credit, debit and ATM cards through a smartphone device.

Providing added security in a safe and convenient way, Card Guard enables members to determine where they want to use cards by setting location boundaries or using the location of the member’s smartphone.  Members can also set per-transaction spending limits and/or allow card use only from specific merchants or transaction types.  Members can also turn card capabilities off altogether if they choose.

“This is a colossal advancement in technology that will give our members control over where and when their cards can be used,” said Brice Mindrum, Mobile Services Manager for America First Credit Union. “Our members will love the alerting function that happens in real time on every transaction.”

In efforts to continuously offer the latest technologies and advancements for members, America First Card Guard builds on the way members interact with the financial institution. Members can opt to receive alerts if a transaction is attempted and will receive alerts on all denied transactions. 

“We’re dedicated to providing the utmost security for our members, while simultaneously providing them with advancing technologies to manage their finances,” said Rich Syme, Executive Vice President of Electronic Services and Product Management for America First Credit Union. “We’ve partnered with reputable technology company, Ondot Systems, who created this technology, for this exciting new tool, giving members proactive control and instant visibility over the use of their debit and credit cards.”

America First Card Guard is available for download via Apple’s App store or Android’s Google Play store.

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

Riverdale, Utah – A true proponent of the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ America First Credit Union, recently donated $11,000 in scholarships to students of Copper Hills High School from the America First Credit Union Charitable Foundation. The school educates the largest population of students, grades 10 – 12, in the state of Utah.

America First has given $1,000 to 11 students, each boasting a 4.0 grade point average for the duration of their high school career, along with a mostly perfect attendance record. Many of the Copper Hills students are first generation college attenders, holding various ethnic, racial, religious and socio-economic diversities.

“What an honor for us to be able to financially assist these bright Copper Hills High School students on their path to continued success,” said John B. Lund, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “Their academic achievements are outstanding and we are thrilled to support them in this exciting next step as they enter into college.”

Located in West Jordan, Utah, in the southwest corner of the Salt Lake Valley near the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, Copper Hills has a history of continuously striving to implement and improve programs to best address student needs. It is part of the Jordan School District.

For additional information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union today unveiled a new online tool to help members manage finances, called Money Manager. The complimentary tool, available via America First’s Online Banking platform, allows members to visually organize, track and manage all facets of their finances in one convenient location.

Features of Money Manager include automatic transaction categorization, a spending tracker, simple and secure budgeting tools, including quick and convenient access to debt a snapshot and the ability to create a financial road map. With free Online Banking and Money Manager, accounts are organized in one location and members are able to add additional accounts from other institutions to view inside the portal.

“With Money Manager, we are truly making life easier for members, enabling them access to all facets of their finances in one accessible location,” said Mike Salerno,Eservices Manager for America First Credit Union. “Convenience for our members is a primary focus and Money Manager is the ultimate money management tool.”

To access Money Manager, members log in via the Online Banking platform on the America First website and select the tab marked ‘Money Manager’ at the top of the screen. For more information about Money Manager, visit Money Manager FAQ’s or call 1-800-999-3961. 

Visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst 

Credit union encourages community and public to participate during ‘Survivor’s Walk’ at Eighth Annual Event May 15 

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union, in support of West Haven Elementary School, will sponsor the eighth annual West Haven Elementary Hawk Walk from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, May 15. Hosted by West Haven students, the mini Relay-for-Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society. America First will donate cookies, bottled water, a live DJ and $5 for every student walking from 7 to 8 a.m. A ‘Survivor’s Walk’ will be held at 8:45 a.m. Since its inception in 2007, the Hawk Walk has raised more than $41,000 for the American Cancer Society.

The annual event held in May is designed to encourage students and individuals to learn the principle of generosity. West Haven Elementary has continued to support the Hawk Walk by implementing donation programs across campus. Once a month, the school encourages students to participate in ‘wear a hat’ to school day, which allows them to get involved by donating $1 to the cause. Delivery and district workers are also invited to participate by donating $1 if they are wearing a hat on campus.

“The Hawk Walk is an event especially important to our employees and their families,” said John B. Lund, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “This year, we’re encouraging cancer survivors from throughout the community to partake in a Survivor’s Walk’ and join us in this great cause. We’re honored to give $5 to every student walking, as we all know someone who is affected by this disease.”

Beginning May 11, West Haven will send fliers inviting the students’ families and friends to donate the week leading up to the Hawk Walk. A friendly competition between classes will up the ante, with a traveling ‘Golden Sneaker’ award for the two classes (grades four through six and kindergarten to third), raising the most money each day.

The Hawk Walk began in 2007 when then West Haven sixth grader, Garrett Gallegos, and his mother, Tammy, who is a Senior Vice President at America First, walked together in a Relay-for-Life. Gallegos asked if they could start a similar effort at his school to help his teacher who had two sons diagnosed with cancer. Things snowballed from there as other students wanted to lend support and raise funds for the cancer society. That first year, West Haven fifth and sixth graders held the first mini Relay-For-Life Hawk Walk. 

West Haven Elementary is located at 4385 South 3900 West, West Haven, Utah 84401. For more information on how to donate, please call 801-452-4960 or 801-452-4979.

Visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

President and CEO John Lund states, “2014 is certainly one of the best years we’ve ever had.”

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union held its 76^th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. On the agenda was a board election and voting for new credit union board officers. Members voted to retain three current board members and the board itself elected new officers.

Board incumbents Lyle Adams, Joy Jex and John Spease were retained by the voting membership. The Executive Committee selected James Wendler to serve as Board Chair, Linda Carver as Vice Chair and Kenlon Reeve as Secretary.  

Held in April of each year, the purpose of the Annual Meeting is to share the financial state of the credit union and give members the opportunity to determine the course of action by electing fellow members to serve on the Board of Directors. The dedicated and qualified individuals share their time, talents and efforts without compensation, making them part of the unique cooperative, not-for-profit structure. Incumbents were elected to the Board based on absentee ballots and votes from those in attendance joining fellow Board members as the credit union’s guiding voice.

In addition, the event was streamed live via the credit union’s Twitter account for added engagement and conversations online.  

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union, dedicated to financial literacy in the communities it serves, honored Ryan Gross, a Weber State University (WSU) history major, with its annual Tom Connors Memorial Scholarship for the 2015 – 2016 academic school year. Gross, a junior at WSU, received a full-year tuition and fees scholarship in the amount of $5,339.00.

The History Scholarship was established in 1993.  In 2012 the scholarship was renamed the Tom Connors Memorial Scholarship in memory of Tom Connors, a volunteer for America First Credit Union for more than 30 years. Since naming the scholarship after Connors in fall of 2012, family and friends have continued to make donations in support. To qualify for the Tom Connors Memorial Scholarship, the recipient must have and maintain a 3.0 grade point average or better with a declared major in history.

“It’s a rewarding opportunity when we are able to financially assist deserving individuals, such as Ryan, with our history scholarship,” said John B. Lund, president and CEO of America First Credit Union. “As a credit union, we are dedicated to efforts supporting our community and to making educational dreams a reality. Giving this scholarship each year in Tom’s honor is a true testament to our deep and abiding human values.” 

Connors retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1989, after serving his country for more than 30 years. In 1995, he graduated from Weber State University with a degree in history and minors in political science and anthropology. He also earned his teaching certificate in special education and taught at Canyon View Elementary in Ogden, Utah. Connors won the Sallie Mae First-Class Teacher Award, given to outstanding first-year teachers.

Connors began his volunteer service at America First Credit Union on the Credit Committee in 1982. In 1992, he was elected to the Board of Directors and later served as Chair. In addition, he served on the Nominations and Lending Committees, as advisor to the Supervisory Committee, the Marketing, Legislative, and Finance Committees, and as Chairman of the Political Action Committee. Connors was also a member of the World Council of Credit Unions, where he was a development educator and involved in the community development program. 

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

Riverdale, Utah –  In celebration of National Credit Union Youth Month and in maintaining its strong dedication to youth financial literacy, America First Credit Union gets ‘Wild About Saving’ with a savings account contest that will run through the month of April, culminating Thursday, April 30.

Members aged zero through 17 who deposit money into a Share Savings Account during the month of April will be entered into eligible drawings for a $25 deposited into their account and $1,000 Coverdell Education Savings Account. Ten winners will receive a $25 deposited into their account and four winners will receive $1,000 deposited into a Coverdell Education Savings Account at America First Credit Union. Winners will be randomly selected from the pool of entrants.

Joining in the ‘Wild About Savings’ theme determined by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), America First encourages youth members to post on their social media accounts using the dedicated hashtag #AFCUWildAboutSaving for additional entry opportunities.

“It’s so important for our youth to be engaged in a positive path towards savings goals and financial education,” said John B. Lund, president and CEO of America First. “We encourage youth to take advantage of these exciting contests and for parents to take this opportunity to teach their children the importance of saving during National Credit Union Youth Month.” 

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest. 

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union will welcome residents of Lehi City with the opening of its newest location at 1238 East Timpanogos Highway in Lehi, Utah on Monday, April 6. The new branch is the 110^th location for the credit union servicing Utah and Southern Nevada.

The first branch opening of 2015, the Lehi branch signifies a strong start to the year for the credit union.

Michael Crossley will serve as branch manager of the Lehi location. Crossley began his career with America First Credit Union more than 30 years ago in 1982 when he started at the Ogden Main location as a loan officer trainee. He moved to a management intern position before becoming assistant branch manager at the Layton location. Crossley was then promoted to manager of the Cottonwood branch and also served as manager at the West Valley branch. He has served as manager/market manager of the Orem location since 1993.

With much experience in the credit union industry, Crossley boasts extensive education in many facets related to working in a credit union, including accounting, economics, management and credit union collections. An Ogden, Utah native, Crossley is married to Lu Ann Jordan Crossley and together they have seven children and 14 grandchildren.

A grand opening ribbon cutting will take place on the morning ofMonday, April 27 with celebratory events held April 27 – May 2. The branch is located at 1238 East Timpanogos Highway, Lehi, Utah 84043. Branch hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.americafirst.com, America First Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, @AmericaFirst on Instagram and Pinterest.

Riverdale, Utah – A true proponent of the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ America First Credit Union donated funds for snow boots to the students of Transition Academy at Jordan Valley School on 2/3/15. In a learning activity created to teach the students about financial literacy, each student received a VISA gift card for the purchase of snow boots to be used for upcoming school field trips.

Most students in the Transition Academy at Jordan Valley School, which is Canyons District’s school for students with severe disabilities, had never before used a credit or debit card to purchase goods at a store. With a little help from teachers and aides, each student was able to approach a cashier, present the item they sought to purchase and complete the shopping transaction with pre-paid Visa cards provided by America First Credit Union, one of Canyons District’s valued community partners. 

“The learning activity was a complete success,” said Robin Collett, Canyons District’s director of special education. “The thrill of accomplishment was evident in the bright smiles of all the students who were able to participate.”  

Canyons Transition Academy provides students with disabilities the opportunity to make choices in a safe environment with person-centered planning, hands-on training, community access and inclusion in community activities that lead to greater independence for living and employment.

“Thanks to America First Credit Union, which generously sponsored the shopping trip, the students didn’t just get the gift of a new pair of boots that they can wear while learning to ride public transportation, go to the library or visit museums,” said Collett. “Through this experience, they were given a chance to learn some important financial literacy and independent-living skills that are necessary to become productive participants in the community. We can’t thank America First Credit Union enough for helping us to help our students in this way.”

Riverdale, Utah – America First Credit Union is charging into 2015 with the announcement of several internal promotions. 

Internal promotions include Randy Halley and Rich Syme to executive vice president. Tammy Gallegos, Paula Kenny, Thayne Shaffer and Kent Streuling have been named as senior vice presidents. Bob Bodily, Kris Distefano, Scott Ellis, Randy Hunter, Missy Key and Dave Stacey have been named as vice presidents.

“We have many outstanding employees that are prepared to take on additional responsibilities, and we’re excited about the opportunities created for our employees in these new roles,” said John Lund, President and CEO of America First. “These advancements will allow us to continue to service members with the upmost quality as we anticipate our growth in the coming year.”

In addition to the above promotions, the following organizational changes have been made:

New divisions within the credit union have been created, to include the Compliance and Credit divisions. The Compliance division will encompass the following departments: Compliance, Legal and Loan Portfolio Management. Sharee Dickey will serve as vice president. The Credit division will include Collections, Special Collections, Recovery, Counseling and Troubled Debt Restructuring. Susan Chadwick will serve as vice president.

The following organizational changes will take place in conjunction with Chad Tanner being named as vice president of the call centers: Annette Cave has been promoted to manager of the Lending Service Call Center. The newly-named Member Service Contact Center will be managed by Farrell Poll.