Dec 21, 2018

Have Yourself a Frugal Little Christmas

After all the shopping and party prepping are done, your holiday budget may feel two sizes too small. If you want to boost your Christmas spirit, but don't feel like spending large sums of money, here are some inexpensive activities you can do with your family, on a date, or on your own this season. Decoration expedition Enjoying elaborate exterior decorations doesn't have to cost a lot—go on a drive and appreciate your neighbors' work. There are websites, apps & maps that identify impressive holiday displays, or you can explore and find them yourself. Many cities have lights in public…

Dec 19, 2018

America First Credit Union Gifts More Than 1,800 Pairs of Shoes to Underprivileged Students Throughout Utah and Nevada

Riverdale, Utah – (Dec. 19, 2018) – As part of its annual Warm the Soles of Kids initiative (Warm the Soles), America First Credit Union distributed more than 1,800 pairs of gift-wrapped shoes to children in need throughout the month of December. This year, 24 schools and agencies spanning across Utah and Southern Nevada took part in the project. America First employees visited several schools in December including Midvale Elementary, Dixie Sun Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Hurricane Elementary, Red Rock Elementary, Gibson Middle School and Hill Air Force Base to hand out shoes and host a festive holiday celebration. Celebrating its 24th…

Dec 14, 2018

Card Guard: Powerful Protection for your Transactions

Your financial information can be stolen at any time of the year, but people are particularly vulnerable during the holidays, just because everyone's spending more. But when you have Card Guard® from America First, you control when, where & how your Visas are used—giving you the best possible protection. Our revolutionary security app is free and available for Apple and Android devices. Download it, then log in to your account and pick the credit, debit and ATM cards you want to manage. Customizable Control If you misplace a credit card, for example, you can flip a switch and it will…

Dec 07, 2018

(Safely) Dashing Through the Snow

As soon as snow starts to fall, it seems people suddenly forget how to drive in a reasonable manner. So, we have pointers for avoiding costly accidents in the winter. Proper Preparation Check the weather and your route before a trip. Give yourself plenty of time so you can drive slowly and arrive safely. Tell others an estimated time of arrival. That way, if you do get stuck, people will know where to look. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that they have sufficient tread to handle icy roads. Cold weather can reduce pressure and increase the risk…

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…