America First Credit Union (formerly known as the Fort Douglas Civilian Employees Credit Union) was founded in 1939 by a group of 59 co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Since its founding, the credit union has expanded to serve more than 1.3 million members through its array of banking products and services for personal and business customers.

America First Credit Union products and services

Here’s a look at the products offered by America First Credit Union:

• Classic checking: The classic checking account is America First CU’s most basic checking account option. It’s free to open and does not charge any monthly maintenance fees. It offers a debit card, bill pay services, overdraft services, and competitive dividends. There’s no minimum balance requirement for this account, but in order to earn interest, you’ll need to maintain at least $500.

• Premium checking: The premium checking account offers the same features as the classic checking account with added perks such as identity theft protection, digital coupons, and more. It comes with a $6 monthly fee that can be waived if you set up at least $500 in direct deposits per month, complete 20 or more transactions per month with your Visa credit or debit card, and maintain an average daily checking balance of at least $1,500. There’s no minimum balance requirement for this account, but in order to earn interest, you’ll need to maintain at least $500.

• Money market checking: The money market checking account offers members a hybrid option between a checking and savings account. This account provides higher dividends for members with larger account balances while still offering easy access to funds. The interest rate for this account ranges from 0.00% to 0.30% APY, depending on your account balance. A minimum opening deposit of $10,000 is required, and you must maintain a minimum of $2,000 in your account to earn dividends.

• Share savings account: When you join America First, you’re required to open a share savings account with a minimum of $1. You also need to maintain a minimum balance of at least $1 to earn dividends.

• Money market savings account: America First describes its money market savings account as an ideal savings account for short-term savings or an emergency fund. There is no minimum balance requirement, and you can make withdrawals at any time without incurring penalties. The dividend rate increases as your balance increases.

• Wedding savings account: America First offers a wedding savings account for couples who want to receive cash gifts from their guests. Couples can open accounts at any America First CU branch. Or other individuals may open an account for a wedding couple. America First provides registry announcements and invitations for guests to contribute.

• Health savings accounts: America First has partnered with Lively, a health and lifestyle benefits platform to offer members and employers health savings accounts and administrative services. Through this partnership, members have access to Lively’s team of HSA experts, easy-to-use dashboards, and more.

• Coverdell Education Savings: America First offers its members a tax-advantaged way to save for their child’s education. There is no minimum deposit requirement for this account, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. There is also a Coverdell Education Savings Certificate Account option.

• Charitable memorial accounts: America First offers charitable and memorial accounts for members who are experiencing financial hardships.

• Youth savings: It’s never too early to start saving money, and America First Credit Union offers a youth savings account for older kids and teens to learn how to manage their own money. There are no annual fees associated with this account, and account holders can receive a Visa debit card for free with their youth account for easier access to their funds.

• Student savings: Members under the age of 26 can open a student money market account with America First Credit Union. This account does not have a minimum balance requirement, and you can withdraw your money at any time without fees or penalties. When you turn 26, you will automatically be enrolled in a regular money market savings account.

• Certificate accounts: American First offers traditional share certificates, bump-rate certificate accounts, dedicated savings accounts, flexible certificate accounts, and ladder certificate accounts. Certificate terms range from three months to five years and require a $500 minimum opening deposit.

• IRAs: Retirement accounts, including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and IRA certificate accounts, are available for members who want to start saving for their golden years.

• Visa credit cards: America First offers a range of Visa credit cards that you can apply for online. This includes rewards cards, cash-back cards, and secured cards.

• Insurance services: America First offers auto, home, term life, and other insurance products and services via a third-party insurance provider.

• Business banking products and services: Business customers can take advantage of business checking, savings, loans, Visa cards, certificate accounts, and other services.

• Vehicle loans: America First offers financing for various types of vehicles, including regular auto loans, RV loans, loans for motorcycles, ATVs, four-wheelers, boats, snowmobiles, and more.

• Personal loans: America First offers personal loans for members who need more flexible financing options. It also offers certificate-secured loans, lines of credit, share-secured loans, and share-secured lines of credit. These loans offer competitive rates and flexible terms of up to 60 months.

• Home equity loans: Home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and investment property loans are all offered by America First CU for first-time buyers, those looking to make improvements, or build wealth through homeownership.

• Mortgage loans: America First offers mortgage loans, reverse mortgages, construction and lot loans, as well as renovation loans.

Read more: What is a credit union, and how do you join one?

America First Credit Union fees

Here’s a closer look at the fees you might encounter as a member of America First Credit Union:

Read more: What are bank fees, and how do I avoid them?

America First Credit Union pros and cons

Here are some of the major pros and cons to consider before becoming a member of America First Credit Union:

Pros:

• Low fees: Many of America First’s accounts do not require a monthly fee, or offer ways to waive monthly fees by meeting certain eligibility requirements. There is also no fee for not meeting minimum balance requirements.

• Competitive CD rates: Many of America First’s share certificates pay upwards of 5% APY, especially for shorter terms. In fact, the 6-month and 1-year CDs rank among the best CD rates available today.

Cons:

• Limited membership eligibility: Membership with America First CU isn’t available to everyone. You must live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in certain qualifying areas. Or you must be a family member of an existing member, a member of certain associations, involved in the Utah food industry, or an employee of America First Credit Union or its subsidiary corporations.

• Less competitive rates on savings: Aside from CDs, most of America First’s savings products offer low dividend rates. Members must also maintain high minimum balances to earn the highest advertised rates.

Customer service and mobile banking experience

America First Credit Union customer service representatives are available to chat via email, automated chat, mail, fax, and phone between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT on Saturdays, excluding holidays.

America First also offers a mobile app that is available for download on Google Play and the App Store and has a rating of 4.7 and 4.8 stars, respectively. On the app, members can review account balances, make mobile check deposits, track their spending and create a budget, transfer money between bank accounts, make loan payments, apply for credit increases, and more.

Social impact

America First Credit Union has a philanthropic branch of the credit union known as the America First Charitable Foundation. It aims to give back to the communities it serves through donations, volunteer efforts, community events and sponsorships, scholarships, and investment in financial education and resources.

In 2023, the Service First Program had 3,593 employees serving 140 organizations in 652 different projects, totaling 7,884.5 employee volunteer hours.

How to become a member

To become a member of America First Credit Union, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. You can apply if you live, work (regularly conduct business in), worship, volunteer, or attend school in:

• Salt Lake, Utah, and Juab counties, Utah

• Eligible areas of Cache, Davis, Iron, Rich, Washington, and Weber counties, Utah

• Clark and Lincoln counties, Nevada (except those living within a 25-mile radius of the Alamo U.S. Post Office)

• Eligible areas of Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Storey, Washoe, and Carson City counties, Nevada

• Maricopa County, Arizona

• Eligible areas of Mohave and Pima counties, Arizona

• Eligible areas in Page and St. Johns, Arizona

• Eligible areas of Ada, Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Boise, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Clark, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Jefferson, Madison, Owyhee, and Power counties, Idaho

• Eligible areas of Malheur County, Oregon

• Eligible areas of Benalillo, Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance, or Valencia counties, New Mexico

Membership is also available for:

• Owners, employees, or supplies involved in the Utah food industry

• Employees or members of our Select Employer Group (SEG) or an affiliated association

• Members of the immediate family or household of an existing member

• Spouses of members who died within the field of membership

• Existing America First Federal Credit Union members

• Employees of America First Federal Credit Union or its subsidiary corporations

If you meet one of these eligibility requirements, you can fill out your membership application online. To become a member, you’ll need to open a share savings account.

Frequently asked questions

Is America First Credit Union NCUA-insured?

Yes, America First Credit Union is an NCUA-insured financial institution.

What is America First Credit Union’s routing number?

America First Credit Union’s ABA routing number is 324377516.

What states are part of America First Credit Union?

America First Credit Union serves residents in eligible counties within Utah, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.