Question 1

What is America First Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Riverdale, Utah. As of 2025, it ranks as the fifth largest credit union in the United States by total membership with over 1.5 million members, and the seventh largest by assets with approximately $23.3 billion.

The credit union serves communities across seven Western states and offers a comprehensive range of financial services including consumer and business banking products. America First maintains over 124 branch locations and provides members with access to nearly 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide through the CO-OP Network.

Question 2

When was America First Credit Union founded?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union was founded on March 16, 1939, at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. The credit union began when 59 members of the National Federation of Federal Employees, Local No. 650, gathered at the Hotel Newhouse to establish the Fort Douglas Civilian Employees Credit Union with just $788 in shared assets.

The founding members were federal civilian employees who believed in the cooperative principle of pooling their resources to create financial opportunities unavailable to them individually. The credit union operated humbly at first, with a volunteer treasurer available only on Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:00 PM.

In 1947, when the U.S. Army finance office at Fort Douglas moved to the Utah General Distribution Depot in Ogden, the credit union relocated as well and renamed itself Federal Employees Credit Union. The credit union changed its name to America First Credit Union in 1984 when it opened membership to the public beyond federal employees, marking a significant expansion of its mission to serve the broader community.

Question 3

Where is America First Credit Union headquartered?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union is headquartered in Riverdale, Utah, with its main office located at 4774 South 1300 West, Building #3.

Question 4

Where does America First Credit Union operate?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union operates across seven Western states: Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. The credit union maintains over 124 branch locations throughout these regions.

In Utah, the credit union serves Cache, Davis, Iron, Juab, Rich, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington, and Weber counties. In Idaho, membership extends to Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Boise, Canyon, Caribou, Clark, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Jefferson, Madison, Owyhee, and Power counties.

Arizona coverage includes Maricopa and Mohave counties, as well as Page, Pima, and St. Johns. In California, the credit union serves San Bernardino County following its 2024 merger with 1st Valley Credit Union. Nevada membership includes a 12-mile radius of the Mesquite city post office, and Oregon coverage extends to Malheur County.

Membership eligibility is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, conducts business, or volunteers in these areas. Additionally, owners, employees, and suppliers in the food industry in Utah, as well as immediate family members of existing members, also qualify for membership.

Question 5

What services does America First Credit Union offer?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services for both individual and business members.

Deposit Accounts: The credit union offers various share (savings) accounts, money market accounts, and share certificates (CDs). Multiple checking account options are available with competitive features and benefits.

Lending Products: Members have access to residential mortgages with competitive rates and incentives, vehicle loans for new and used cars, personal loans, credit cards, and home equity loans. Business members can obtain Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and other commercial lending products, which became available in 2005.

Digital Banking: America First provides robust online and mobile banking through its highly-rated mobile app (4.6 stars with over 500,000 downloads). The app features mobile check deposit with auto-capture technology, Zelle payments for person-to-person transfers, bill pay services, budgeting and spending tracking tools, account aggregation from multiple financial institutions, and real-time transaction alerts through Card Guard.

Additional Services: Members benefit from access to nearly 30,000 fee-free CO-OP Network ATMs nationwide, cash-back rewards through ABC Deals when using America First debit and credit cards, wealth management services, and business banking solutions.

Question 6

What makes America First Credit Union unique?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union distinguishes itself through its deep military and government employee heritage combined with modern community banking services. The credit union has maintained strong ties to military installations since 1954, particularly Hill Air Force Base, celebrating 70 years of partnership with the military community.

Despite its massive growth to over 1.5 million members, America First has preserved its founding principle of "people helping people" since 1939. The credit union operates as a member-owned cooperative, meaning profits are reinvested to provide better rates, enhanced services, and improved products rather than distributed to external shareholders.

The credit union has demonstrated commitment to innovation and technology adoption. It was an early adopter of wireless banking in 2001 and has consistently invested in digital capabilities, resulting in a highly functional mobile banking platform with advanced features like automated budgeting tools and comprehensive account aggregation.

America First's strategic expansion through mergers has been purposeful and member-focused. Notable acquisitions include Community One Federal Credit Union in Nevada (2009), Altier Credit Union in Arizona (2018), City Center Credit Union in Utah (2019), and 1st Valley Credit Union in California (2024), each expanding services to new communities while maintaining the credit union's cooperative values.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is America First Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union is a federal credit union, having obtained its federal charter in 2003 from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The credit union originally operated under a state charter but transitioned to federal oversight to protect its field of membership and better serve business members.

As a credit union, America First operates under a cooperative structure where members are also owners. Each member has equal voting rights regardless of account balance, and the institution is governed by a volunteer board of directors elected from the membership. Unlike banks that aim to generate profits for shareholders, credit unions return earnings to members through competitive loan rates, higher savings yields, lower fees, and enhanced services.

The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA, providing deposit insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, similar to FDIC insurance at banks. This cooperative structure and federal charter allow America First to maintain its focus on member service while operating across multiple states with regulatory consistency.

Question 8

How has America First Credit Union expanded over time?

Accepted Answer

America First Credit Union's expansion history reflects strategic growth aligned with member needs and community service. The credit union began serving a single federal installation in 1939 and gradually expanded to multiple military and government facilities throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

By 1959, the credit union had grown to 10,000 members and nearly $6 million in assets. A decade later, assets exceeded $22 million, and by the end of the 1970s, the credit union served over 62,000 members with four branch locations and had fully automated its systems.

The 1980s brought significant change when Utah-chartered credit unions gained the ability to serve anyone in the state. This regulatory shift led to the 1984 name change to America First Credit Union and the opening of membership to the general public beyond government employees.

The credit union's growth accelerated in subsequent decades through both organic expansion and strategic mergers. It reached $1 billion in assets by 2010 with 18 branches serving over 100,000 members. By 2024, America First had grown to over 1.5 million members, $23+ billion in assets, and 124+ branch locations across seven Western states, making it one of the largest credit unions in the nation while maintaining its founding mission of member service and community support.

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About America First Credit Union in the United States