Sep 07, 2018

Make Quick Purchases with Contactless Payments

Swipe, dip, tap, insert. It can be confusing when you approach the check-out counter, but contactless payments are now a popular way to transmit funds. And if you think making purchases with your phone is something for a far-off future, the ability is probably in your hands right now. The technology behind it To understand how this process works, you first must be familiar with radio-frequency identification, or RFID. This technology uses a memory chip to store data and an antenna to send information to a reader when they are in close proximity. Examples include security tags on clothing in…

Sep 04, 2018

America First Credit Union Holds Free “Shred-Your-Stuff Saturday”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: America First Credit Union Holds Free “Shred-Your-Stuff Saturday” Shred Day held at multiple branches in Utah on Saturday, Sept. 8 Riverdale, Utah – (Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018) – Dedicated to providing services that enhance security and support financial well-being for its members, America First Credit Union will hold a free shred day on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon, or until the truck is full. Patrons may bring financial documents and personal information for shredding at no cost to any one of the following branch locations: Centerville Branch 451 West Parrish Lane Centerville, UT 84014…

Sep 01, 2018

Harnessing Technology to Deliver Excellence in Service

By Rich Syme, Executive Vice President, Digital & Contact Center Delivery-Product Management Of my childhood memories, those that stand out most vividly are the family trips to Grandma’s house in Lyman, Wyoming. It was there we’d spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and just about every other occasion worth celebrating. Congregating in her kitchen, we were surrounded by stories, laughter and the delicious aroma of what was cooking. Another detail I clearly recall was the black rotary phone hanging on the wall—the kind you would literally dial. It was an endless source of entertainment for my cousins and me. In those days, small…

Sep 01, 2018

Staying Alert & Connected

Take financial control with immediate fraud alerts. You can check your phone for free, real-time texts that tell you when a transaction is suspicious. We’ll ask if the purchase was legitimate and you can simply reply with a yes or no answer. It’s already set up and provided without a cost to all America First Visa® cardholders. Just look for the sender AFCU FRAUD or the short code 28799 to verify the message—it’s a safe & secure way to monitor your account. And if you don’t want to receive alerts, just send STOP or CANCEL and we’ll take care of the…

Sep 01, 2018

Security Update: Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft

No matter the season, cyber criminals are always busy attacking consumers around the globe. According to experts, no one is immune to this phenomenon and, while we are all vulnerable, there are ways to minimize your risk: Be overly careful about clicking on links and attachments you didn’t request and/or don’t recognize. Limit the sensitive data stored on your devices. Use free online & mobile banking for real-time transaction and account monitoring. Don’t geotag photos on Facebook. Restrict the personal information you post on any social media site. Get free identity theft recovery services with Visa® credit cards from America…

Aug 31, 2018

Sunrise Savings: Breakfast on a Budget

Just because breakfast is the most important meal of the day doesn't mean it also needs to be the most expensive. Whether you're cooking for one or feeding a horde of children, here are some ways to save some money every morning. Make a Menu Grabbing whatever you can find as you're rushing out the door is not only unhealthy, it can cost you. Create a weekly menu so you're not buying too much at the grocery store. Identify where you can utilize an ingredient in multiple meals, like spinach for a dinner salad as well as your morning smoothie.…

Aug 30, 2018

How college students can get rewards for being financially responsible

Nicole Cypers from America First stopped by to help support college students as they head back to school. According to Cypers, “education is very important at America First Credit Union, and we want to not only help you prepare financially while in college, but also welcome you back to school in style.” That’s why, from August 17th to September 30th, new members attending participating universities: USU, WSU, UVU, DSU, SUU, U of U or BYU, will receive a game day t-shirt when they open a Savings and Checking with a free debit card, and download the America First mobile app.…

Aug 24, 2018

Virtual Money: Understanding Cryptocurrency

The concept of cryptocurrency can be fairly confusing to those who are just hearing about it. After all, words like Bitcoin, blockchain and mining sound like they belong in a video game rather than the financial sector. If you've ever wondered what this world is all about, here's a brief introduction. What is cryptocurrency? In the simplest of terms, cryptocurrency, or crypto, is virtual money. It only exists electronically. Bitcoin is the most popular, but there are thousands of others, with names like Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Feathercoin and TRON. Users can't make their own Bitcoins, but anyone with the know-how…

Aug 17, 2018

Back-to-School Savings

Kids aren't the only ones who get anxious about going back to school. As summer winds down, many parents are financially stressed because all of the supplies & extras they're going to purchase. Here are some tips to save a few bucks this year. Reading Research it beforehand. Check out popular sites for discounts on backpacks, folders, laptops, calculators, colored pencils and whatever else you need. Follow your favorite stores on social media to see when deals are available. Sales occur at different times, so keep a list and compare prices. You don't have to shop exclusively online or at…

Aug 10, 2018

The Cost of Cycling

If you're searching for a new hobby, cycling is a fun & healthy choice. But if you're going to take it seriously—even train for races such as the Tour of Utah—you're going to spend some money. Here's a brief cost overview: The bicycle itself ($500 - $2,000) Absolutely the most expensive component. Road bikes are far more aerodynamic and lighter than those made for trails. High-end models are also more expensive because they have carbon fiber and titanium construction. Those you see in the Tour de France run around $12,000, but that’s certainly not necessary for those on the entry…