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…

Dec 29, 2017

Five Financial Resolutions You Can Keep

The new year is when people make all sorts of commitments to better themselves financially. However, if you've set your sights too high and come up short time and again, it can be difficult to consider realistic goals. Nevertheless, here are five financial resolutions anyone can keep. Evaluate Your Financial Health Do you know your net worth? That's the amount of your assets minus liabilities. Once you calculate this figure, you'll have a clear picture of where you stand and how to outline achievable & realistic resolutions. It’ll also provide insight into monetary shortcomings and where you can make improvements.…

Dec 22, 2017

Financial Wisdom from Christmas Movies

Few things get you into the season’s spirit faster than a good holiday movie. But beyond being festive, these films can also be educational. Here are some financial tips to take from eight classic Christmas flicks. A Christmas Carol The Story: Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is a miserable miser whose life is changed on Christmas Eve when he is visited by three spirits. The Lesson: There isn't anything wrong with saving, but there's also nothing wrong with spending…if you do it responsibly. It’s okay to reward yourself for reaching short-term benchmarks, for example, to achieve long-term goals. Jingle All the…

Dec 15, 2017

How to Prevent Holiday Overspending

The magic of the season tends to end abruptly when your credit card bill arrives. If you have a habit of overspending during the holidays, here are some tips to help you avoid the Christmas sticker shock once it's over. Plan Early The best way to stop overspending is prior planning. Make a shopping list that includes how much you're going to spend on each person. When you start looking for gifts, take your time and keep an eye out for coupons and special promotions. You'll prevent the high cost of expedited delivery if you need something shipped quickly. Begin…

Dec 08, 2017

Sometimes It’s Actually Rewarding to Skip a Loan Payment

It's always important to stay on top of your loans. Regularly missing payments can negatively affect your credit & harm your financial well-being. Nevertheless, there are times when extra cash for unforeseen expenses or emergencies is needed, which is why America First offers a service where you can skip certain loan payments once a year with no adverse consequences. How It Works When you skip a payment, it doesn't go away completely. You're still required to pay the full loan balance, but it's deferred until the end of the term. And it won't be reported as late or make you…

Dec 01, 2017

Overdraft Protection—A Financial Safety Net

While paper checks aren't very common, most people use checking. In these accounts, money is subtracted when a transaction occurs. If there are no available funds and you attempt a purchase, it triggers an overdraft & your card will be declined. If you have overdraft protection on your account, a financial institution will cover such a transaction and the purchase will go through, avoiding the inconvenience & awkwardness of being declined. Understanding this service and using it wisely can prevent a potentially destructive financial cycle. Opting In At America First, checks, automatic debits, and other payments or withdrawals you authorize…

Dec 01, 2017

Enjoy Some Financial Relief & Lend a Helping Hand to the Less Fortunate

Everyone knows it’s better to give than receive. But as a member of America First, you can do both! Skipping a loan payment* is only $25 & when you take advantage of this option during the holidays, we’ll contribute $5 to the America First Charitable Foundation that assists the less-fortunate. Then you’ll be free to go shopping, get caught up on your bills—anything you see fit. Plus, you'll be helping someone in need. To see if you qualify, log in to free online banking. *Terms and conditions apply. Not all loans are eligible. Ineligible loans include long-term mortgages, lines of credit…