Dec 03, 2018

Reflections of the Season

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…

Dec 03, 2018

It Pays to Stay Cautious When You’re Shopping Online

Many of us find online holiday shopping more convenient than slogging through traffic, looking for parking and dealing with crowds. At the same time, you need to be on guard when you’re getting gifts electronically. Follow the tips below to keep the season financially safe: Put antivirus software on your devices Visit merchants that have secure sites Read sales, return & privacy policies Keep all receipts You can find additional security updates here.

Dec 03, 2018

Volunteer Service Highlights America First Annual Meeting

According to America First Credit Union bylaws, three members will be elected to three-year terms on our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 16, 2019 at the David S. Eccles Conference Center in Ogden, Utah. Incumbent volunteers, who serve without compensation, are: Barney B. Chapman Kenlon W. Reeve Michael W. Roden Those interested in becoming directors must meet the following minimum standards: Membership in good standing Legal age (18 years or older) Bondable Free from any conflicts of interest Available for all Board of Directors, Committee, and other designated meetings unless…

Nov 30, 2018

Seasonal Jobs are Coming to Town

With all the spending taking place over the holidays, many look for ways to earn extra money. Luckily, it’s also a time when employers need individuals to fill temporary positions dealing with the influx of shoppers and shipments. Here are some seasonal jobs you can find almost anywhere in the country. Warehouse Worker Warehouse facilities are full of electronics, furniture, clothing, toys, jewelry and so much more. During the busy months, they need people to perform lots of tasks, including forklift drivers to stock the shelves, pickers to find items, and packers to fill boxes. Additional workers load trucks at…

Nov 23, 2018

Black Friday Survival Guide

It's Black Friday! And even if you're reading this article after the sun has come up, here are some tips on how to save some cash on one of the biggest shopping days of the year without sacrificing your well-being. Have a plan If you haven't already done so, set your budget and decide which items are most important as well as which ones are likely to go quickly. Map out your route to minimize wasted travel time. Then, after that, make a backup plan. There may be a few times when the deal you want won't be available. If…

Nov 16, 2018

What Does an Underwriter Do?

If you apply for a loan or an insurance policy, your documents must be reviewed by an underwriter. But what functions does the underwriter perform? How do they fit in the process? The backstory The word underwrite simply means signing under or below something. In the early days of banking, underwriters would place their names below the amount of risk they were willing to tolerate, in exchange for a premium. If anything went wrong, the underwriter would have to answer for it. Underwriting now Today, underwriters are trained on all lending guidelines & procedures. They assess loan risk and determine…

Nov 09, 2018

Veterans Day Deals & Discounts

Veterans Day is when we as a country honor the brave men and women who fight for & protect the nation. Many businesses recognize those in the military with discounts. Below are some deals service members, past and present, can receive on Veterans Day. Some require purchases, while others ask for identification or are dine-in only. Be sure to check the merchant's official sites or call ahead for details, as these are subject to change and may apply to different days. For example, this year, Veterans Day falls on November 11, but will be observed on November 12. Applebee's -…

Nov 02, 2018

Properly Pricing Your Vehicle to Sell

Setting a sale price for your vehicle is like fishing. If it's too high, you won't get any bites from prospective buyers. If what you're asking is too low, you won't get the full value of your investment. Here's some advice for when you put your car, truck or SUV on the market. Assess the Value It's important to check how much it's worth online, because you can bet those thinking about taking it off your hands will do the same. Valuation sites like Kelley Blue Book® use an extensive database to evaluate factors such as recent vehicle transactions in…

Nov 01, 2018

The Buddy System

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,…

Oct 26, 2018

Financial Wisdom from Halloween Movies

Horror films aren't just good for scares, they can also teach valuable financial lessons. Here are eight pieces of wisdom you can take from iconic Halloween movies. A Nightmare on Elm Street The Story: Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) stalks the dreams of Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) and other teenagers in a quiet suburban town. The Lesson: Dreaming is fun & healthy, but you need to keep your feet grounded in reality—otherwise you could get hurt. Develop a sense for what you can and can't afford. Don't buy what isn't necessary or max out your credit on impulse items (like cool…