Feb 01, 2018

Guest Commentary: All Indicators are Positive for Continued Economic Growth

By Glen Olpin,Â Senior Vice Presidentâ€”Chief Economist February of 2018 marks the 104th straight month of national economic recovery. This period of economic improvement may be the longest, yet weakest on record, but there are no signs of a slowdown on the horizon. Utah and neighboring Intermountain West states are experiencing stronger overall growth than the national average. Nationwide strength in economic growth as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) was recently reported for 2017; we expect continued strength throughout this year. Businesses have acted cautiously during the latest cycle of an improving economy; however, recent measures assessing the commercial sector…

Feb 01, 2018

Get Some Additional Cash Back and Get the Perks You Deserve

For a limited time, when you transfer balances from other institutions to Visa® from America First, we'll pay you 3% of that amount! And you’ll get: Additional cash back with free ABC Deals™ Free Card Guard® mobile security & fraud protection Free identity theft recovery services Much more Plus, our cards always deliver: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase Exclusive deals & discounts Free Picture Perfect™ customization Apply today. Eligibility & conditions apply.

Jan 26, 2018

Understanding Auto Insurance

After buying a new or used vehicle, your next step should be getting it insured. Auto insurance, after all, can save you a lot of money on repairs, hospital stays, and even property damage. Most states require drivers to carry insurance, but it's important to understand what you'll need before you hit the road. Here are the main auto policy categories. Liability This pays for the other person's damage and injuries when an accident is your fault. If the accident is caused by the other driver, his or her liability insurance pays for your repairs and medical bills. Getting this…

Jan 19, 2018

Five Steps to Take Before Buying a Used Car

It's an exciting experience to buy a used car—especially when you finally find the make, model & color you want—at a price that looks like a good deal. However, before you get caught up in the process and sign the paperwork, here are five steps you should take. Do your research Don't make a final decision the first time you visit a dealership or private seller. First, look up the vehicle online and, if applicable, the dealer. Use NADA or similar guides to check the value and read what others who own the same type of car are saying. You…

Jan 12, 2018

Take Control to Achieve Financial Well-Being

Good financial health doesn't just happen—you must take an active role to have stability and success. But gaining control of your money isn't as difficult as it may seem. Here are four simple things you can do: Follow a budget You don't need a complex algorithm from a popular financial website—find a budget that works for your lifestyle. It could be an Excel spreadsheet, allocating cash envelopes to each family member, or just using a pen & paper. America First's money manager is a free online tool that intuitively tracks, provides a plan to deal with debt, and automatically categorizes…

Jan 05, 2018

Stay Healthy, Save Money

You probably know someone who’s sick because we’re right in the middle of cold & flu season. And since illness usually means spending hard-earned cash on doctor visits and medications, staying healthy can save you money. Here are some tips: Keep things clean First and foremost, wash your hands regularly—especially before eating. Experts recommend using soap & warm water for 20 to 30 seconds, then thoroughly drying. Carry hand sanitizer for when you don't have quick access to a faucet. But even when you think your hands are clean, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible,…

Jan 01, 2018

Keeping your IRA Options Open

We provide the perfect product if you'd rather pay taxes on your retirement fund immediately. America First offers: Roth IRA accumulators Roth IRA certificates Roth dedicated savings accounts Open yours today & maximize the earnings.

Jan 01, 2018

Products that Can Provide for Your Complete Economic Well-Being

America First Financial Solutions offers products to help you achieve your personal objectives, including: Saving for a home Providing resources for your family’s education Planning a comfortable retirement Maximizing your IRA And more Make a personal appointment today. Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal. Investment representatives are registered through CFS. The credit union…

Jan 01, 2018

Resolve to Stay Safe Online

Although protecting yourself against scams and identity theft is a never-ending proposition, the new year brings an opportunity to place a renewed emphasis on cybersecurity. To follow are some tips that can help: Check in for free at annualcreditreport.com and look for any suspicious activity. If you detect something, call us at 1-800-999-3961 or send an email to fraud@americafirst.com. And be sure to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Consistently check your accounts with free online & mobile banking. Don’t respond to phishing emails or telephone scams that seek your account & PIN or other financial information. Get…

Jan 01, 2018

Our Promise is to Strive for Continued Excellence in Financial Services

By John B. Lund,Â President and Chief Executive Officer As a new year begins, itâ€™s an appropriate time to reflect on the organizationâ€™s accomplishments during the previous months, as well as set goals and objectives for those to come. I made a list of personal benchmarks for myself and, so far, Iâ€™ve been reluctant to ask my wife what she thinks that checklist should really contain! Your credit union performed very well in 2017. Several milestones were achieved, including the attainment of over $9 billion in total assets and more than 900,000 members. America First is the 11th largest credit union…