Oct 20, 2017
Credit Union History Steeped in Cooperation

Credit Union History Steeped in Cooperation

Credit unions began forming in Germany during the mid-19th century. Due to famine and crop failure, Herman Schulze-Delitzsch organized a cooperatively owned bakery & mill so local citizens could buy bread at discounted prices. The operation was so successful that, in 1850, he applied the same idea to the financial sector and created what he called the people's bank. Another German named Friedrich Raiffeisen established the Heddesdorf Credit Union in 1864 to give nearby farmers livestock and farming equipment purchasing opportunities. Raiffeisen based the group on philosophies of self-governance, stating that once you defeat dependency, you can fight poverty. Expansion…
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Oct 13, 2017
Stay Warm & Save on Heating Costs

Stay Warm & Save on Heating Costs

As the weather turns colder, heaters are kicking on and many folks find themselves paying higher energy bills. However, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature doesn't have to cost a lot. Here are some tips on how to stay warm and still save money on heating costs. Dress Appropriately Don't rely just on the furnace to keep toasty in the winter—dress in warm clothes. Wear socks or a comfy jacket and you won't have to turn the temperature up as high. Use cushy blankets while watching TV on the couch and put thick comforters & sheets on your bed.…
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Oct 06, 2017
Fraud Prevention: Creating Strong Passwords

Fraud Prevention: Creating Strong Passwords

If your password is 123456, qwerty or, even worse, password, you should probably stop reading and change it now. Despite all the security hacks and data breaches in today's world, many people still use easy-to-guess logins, putting their information & identities at risk. Creating strong passwords is your first line of defense against hackers, so here are some tips to get started. Make it easy (for you)—Passwords you can't remember are useless. Choose keywords or phrases you can easily memorize. But don't make it so simple that someone else could quickly figure it out. Make it unique—Don't use the same…
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Oct 03, 2017

Answering your money questions: When Should I Refinance My Car?

The season of giving is upon us and America First has recently launched its 13th Annual Community Food Drive. As a credit union, their philosophy is “people helping people†and it’s important to them that they serve others – not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Through Saturday, Oct. 21, all branch locations throughout Utah will accept donations of non-perishable food items to distribute to local food pantries and food banks. Since its inception in 2004, the annual community food drive has collected more than 150,000 pounds of food. According to the Utah Food Bank, one in six Utahans and one in…
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Oct 01, 2017

Fall Maintenance for Your Finances

When the seasons change, many of us have a home maintenance checklist that’s important to work through before winter arrives. The same is true for your finances, so here are a few fall to-dos: Insurance—These months usually present the opportunity to review your employer-sponsored benefits as open enrollment periods occur. Take a look at your health care, life & disability insurance, and related plans & see if your coverage levels need to be raised or lowered according to your changing life circumstances.  Health saving accounts—Review your contributions and determine if it’s a good time to start increasing your deposits. These…
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Oct 01, 2017

Make the Most of Your Resources

With quick & easy home equity loans from America First, you’ll have the resources ready to tackle that much-needed remodeling project. Plus, you’ll benefit from: Low rates Flexible terms Interest-only & fixed-rate options Quick access when you need it Potential tax advantages And more Apply today.
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Oct 01, 2017

Breaches & Identity Theft Are All Too Common—But We’re Here to Help You

By John B. Lund, President and Chief Executive Officer Unfortunately, the news of data compromises occurring at merchants, large companies and most recently at Equifax, one of the three major credit-reporting agencies, is increasingly prevalent. Considering the Equifax incident involved nearly half the U.S. population—143 million residents—the chances of any given individual being affected are reasonably high. You can find out if this breach has impacted you at equifax.com. If your information is involved, there are steps you can and should take to protect your identity: If you have an account with Equifax, change the password immediately. Be sure the new…
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Oct 01, 2017

Enhance Your Community and Assist Our Less Fortunate Friends & Neighbors

There are many in our community who go hungry every day or who don’t know where they will get their next meals. Thankfully, your generosity always comes through to combat this unfortunate trend. Please join America First to ensure the Greater Good food drive is a successful fall tradition. We’ll be accepting canned & non-perishable food items–as well as other necessities, such as toothbrushes, diapers and soap—at all locations through Saturday, October 21. You’ll be entered* in a drawing for an Apple Watch for each contribution you offer, plus you’ll be making a difference in the lives of those who…
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Sep 29, 2017
Eight Ways to Save on Car Maintenance

Eight Ways to Save on Car Maintenance

The freedom of having a personal vehicle comes with a price tag. In addition to the purchase price, AAA estimates the average cost of owning & operating a car is $8,558 annually. However, there are ways to limit these expenses. Here are eight tips to help you save on maintenance. Keep a record—The owner's manual will tell you how often routine services, such as flushing the transmission or replacing the timing belt, should be done. Then, keep track of what maintenance has been performed to avoid unnecessary or redundant repairs. Do it yourself—Some things you can do on your own,…
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