America First Credit Union - An Overview

The focus of this article is to give an overview of the America First Credit Union, a business which was founded in 1939 by a group of 59 people at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. This group started small, sharing a mere $25 in assets. With the passage of time, this group became bonded and their name changed a couple of times to signify its growth. In ten years, assets had grown to over $13.000. The group continued to thrive, hiring their first full time employee in 1954. Then in 1984, credit unions that were chartered in Utah began serving anyone in the state. This brought about a final name change for this institution as it became known as America First Credit Union.

America First Credit Union continued its upward climb, but there was a bit of a war going on in Utah with regard to how successful credit unions were becoming over the traditional banking systems. For example, laws were passed that made it difficult, or impossible, for credit unions to offer loans. This prompted the credit union to switch its charter from state to federal, which they accomplished in 2003. With this change, they were able to offer the kind of business they wanted to, without the restrictions that were placed on Utah-chartered credit unions. In fact, they were able to broaden their scope and serve more customers than ever before.

By mid-2005, America First Credit Union had assets of $3,000,000, with over 375,000 in two states - Utah and Nevada. The financial group has continued to grow, opening its 87th branch in March 2009 and now claiming assets of $4.4 billion, making it the 11th largest credit union in assets and the sixth in membership (over 475,500 members) in the United States.

America First Credit Union is active in community service, making its presence known in a variety of ways, including the 100% for Kids - Utah Credit Union Education Foundation where resources are brought to the students in their classrooms. There's also the Lakeview Elementary School Partnership which began in 1994. Here, America First Credit Union not only provides money for resources, but its staff members serve as mentors to students. Students also visit the credit union and learn how important education is to being successful in the work place.

A wide variety of accounts and services are offered at America First Credit Union. There are the usual checking, savings, and money market checking, among others; plus, there's higher yield savings accounts available such as Roth IRAs, flexible certificates, and certificate accounts. Other more specialized accounts are available in categories which include health savings, wedding accounts, and dedicated savings.

Home, vehicle, and consumer loans are available, as are secured loans, payday loan alternatives, and student loans. America First Credit Union offers a VISA credit card to qualified members. As is the case nowadays, there are various levels of VISA cards available, from their platinum card to a simple check card.

A variety of online resources are available for America First Credit Union members, including web access, online bill pay, and check view. Various financial calculators are online and they provide an online tax center.

America First Credit Union has plenty of business services for customers as well. They have merchant accounts, business VISAs, loans, and more.

America First Credit Union is a complete financial institution that runs the gamut of credit union services that includes the features mentioned in this article as well as investment opportunities. They are a growing organization which is striving to provide the best customer service to its members. They have a very detailed website where members can conduct their business, take advantage of online resources, and acquire desired information. The site appears to be easy to navigate and is full of company information which is updated frequently.

Interested consumers can find more information on America First Credit Union at their website: http://www.americafirst.com/