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America First Credit Union Review 2024

Updated July 29, 2024
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At a glance

4.2
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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CDs

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

Checking

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

Savings

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

MMA

Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5

About Bankrate Score

Overview

America First Credit Union is best for those who live, work or are involved in eligible areas of the Western U.S. Its CDs and checking account stand out for their low fees and interest-earning potential.

Highlights

  • Highly Rated App
  • Low Fees
Sponsored offers
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Bank logo
Member FDIC
Checking Account
0.50
%
APY
APY
Info Icon
As of 10/23/2024
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
$0
Min. balance for APY
View offer Arrow Right Icon
Bank logo
Member FDIC
Checking Account
0.10
%
APY
APY
Info Icon
As of 10/23/2024
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
$0
Min. balance for APY
View offer Arrow Right Icon

Overall

Members of America First Credit Union have access to a full suite of deposit products, mobile banking services, loans, credit cards and more. There are minimal fees associated with the credit union’s deposit accounts. Rates on CDs are competitive, but they are less so for share savings and money market accounts.

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    Members have access to more than 36,000 ATMs as well as extended in-store hours.

  • Checkmark Icon

    CD rates are competitive.

  • Checkmark Icon

    Most accounts have low monthly fees and minimum opening deposit requirements.

Cons

  • Rates on savings and money market accounts are not very competitive.

  • Branches are limited to a few states in the Western U.S.

CTA We want to know what you think about America First Credit Union

We want to know what you think about America First Credit Union

Do you have experience with America First Credit Union? Let us know your thoughts.

America First Credit Union banking products

3.0
/5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
SCORE BREAKDOWN
APY offering:
0.05%
Rating: 1 stars out of 5
1/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance for APY:
$1.00
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5/5
Info Icon
Monthly service fee:
$0.00
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance to avoid fee:
$0.00
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5/5
Info Icon
Access to funds:
Great
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5/5
Info Icon
FEATURES
Invest Rate Icon
0.05% APY
Info Icon
Savings Icon
$1 minimum balance for APY
Loan Icon
$1 minimum deposit to open

America First Credit Union savings overview

To become a member of America First Credit Union, you must open a share savings account, and it must be opened at a branch. But the share savings account only requires a $1 balance to open and maintain. There’s no monthly fee. However, a $2.50 inactivity fee will be charged monthly if there have been no transactions for one year or more.

There is no transaction limitation on the share savings account. The rate earned, though, is very low.

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    Only $1 is needed to open the account and maintain credit union membership.

  • Checkmark Icon

    There’s no monthly fee.

  • Checkmark Icon

    Account holders can make unlimited transactions.

Cons

  • The APY is minimal.

  • The account can’t be opened online.

  • See how rates for this account have changed over time. Interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.

    America First Credit Union
    APY
    APY
    Info Icon
    National average APY
    How do we get this data?
    Info Icon

Bank fees

Fee Charged?
Overdraft fee $25
Non-sufficient funds fee None
Account maintenance fees None for standard accounts
Out-of-network ATM fee $1.50
Excessive transaction fee None

Customer experience

Customer service. Member service representatives are available by phone from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT, weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT, Saturdays. Members can also contact the credit union via email or leave feedback on the credit union’s website. Additionally, the credit union’s website offers helpful tools, such as a variety of calculators and guides.

Digital tools. Many digital services are offered through the credit union, including Zelle, online banking and bill pay and Card Guard, which allows you to instantly lock or unlock your debit card from a mobile app. The credit union’s mobile app has high ratings on the Apple app store and Google Play.

Rewards. Members with an America First Visa card are automatically enrolled in ABC Deals, which gives cash-back rewards on certain purchases. 

About America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union was founded in 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Like other credit unions, it is a member-owned, not-for-profit institution. The credit union operates 119 branches, most of which are in Utah, with a few scattered throughout Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon. You must live, work or have some involvement in an eligible area of one of those states to become a member.

The credit union also has a charity foundation, which contributes to programs such as food drives, educational scholarships and providing hygiene kits to those in need.

How America First Credit Union compares to other banks

Compare different account types offered by America First Credit Union. Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Oct. 16, 2024 and Oct. 22, 2024.

Selected bank
America First Credit Union savings account
America First Credit Union Logo
NCUA Insured
Bankrate score
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0
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Most comparable
Bethpage Federal Credit Union savings account
Bethpage Federal Credit Union Logo
NCUA Insured
Bankrate score
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0
Info Icon
Read review
Search for or select a bank:
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Bankrate score
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Read review
APY
Info Icon
0.05% 0.10%
Minimum balance for APY
$1.00 $10,000.00
Estimated earnings
Info Icon
$25 $50
To become a member of America First Credit Union, you must open a share savings account, and it must be opened at a branch. But the share savings account only requires a $1 balance to open and maintain. There’s no monthly fee. However, a $2.50 inactivity fee will be charged monthly if there have been no transactions for one year or more. There is no transaction limitation on the share savings account. The rate earned, though, is very low. Bethpage Federal Credit Union's Savings account pays a rock-bottom APY that’s much lower than the national average. The account requires only a $5 deposit to open and doesn’t charge a monthly service fee.
  • Only $1 is needed to open the account and maintain credit union membership
  • There’s no monthly fee
  • Account holders can make unlimited transactions
  • The Regular Savings account requires only a balance of $5
  • It also doesn’t charge a monthly service fee
  • Bethpage offers two accounts for young savers
    N/A
  • The APY is minimal
  • The account can’t be opened online
  • The yield for the standard savings account is low compared with other options
    N/A
APY offering:
0.05%
1/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance for APY:
$1.00
5/5
Info Icon
Monthly service fee:
$0.00
5/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance to avoid fee:
$0.00
5/5
Info Icon
Access to funds:
Great
5/5
Info Icon
APY offering:
0.10%
1/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance for APY:
$5.00
5/5
Info Icon
Monthly service fee:
$0.00
5/5
Info Icon
Minimum balance to avoid fee:
$0.00
5/5
Info Icon
Access to funds:
Great
5/5
Info Icon
Info Icon
Info Icon
Info Icon
Info Icon
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Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.

Review methodology

With so many financial institutions to choose from, it can be hard to know who to trust. Bankrate’s ever-growing list of bank and credit union reviews is updated regularly. Our editorial team analyzes and reviews each institution across deposit products such as savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs) and money market accounts (MMAs). Banks are rated by important factors such as offered interest rates, fees, minimum balance requirements, access to funds and more.

We assign a score to each type of account and its features, weigh them carefully based on importance to account holders and determine an overall score. Read our full review methodology.

America First Credit Union customer reviews

CTA America First Credit Union has 18 reviews

America First Credit Union has 18 reviews

Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about America First Credit Union.

4.4 Star Icon
18 ratings
Info Icon
Score breakdown
5 stars
56%
4 stars
39%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
6%
1 star
0%
Score by category
Overall Rating 4.4 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 4.2 / 5
Amount of fees 4.2 / 5
Customer support 4.4 / 5
Website / Mobile app 4.3 / 5
Verified Badge Icon Bankrate methodology disclosure

In July 2024, Bankrate collaborated with a third-party vendor to survey 1,200 bank account holders nationwide. Bankrate and our vendor collected and summarized account holder responses to five rating questions on a 5-point scale as well as open-ended reviews of the banking experience. Responses are based on individual account holder product details, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Reviewers received an incentive for their feedback. Their ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by the associated bank or credit union, nor do these responses reflect Bankrate's own expert review of these banking products.

Community Reviews

See what users like you are saying about America First Credit Union.
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Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
Great bank. Have been with them for years now and would definitely recommend to anyone who is searching for a bank to open a savings account or checking account. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. My mom started me an account when I was in high school and when I became an adult she turned the account over to me.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
A great way to bank. Customer support and professionalism.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
The locations are spread out so making physical transactions can be difficult. Good rates. It's not a huge conglomerate, so it likely will never be sold.
Score by category
Amount of fees 4 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 4 / 5
Customer support 4 / 5
Website / Mobile app 2 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
People should know quite well about the services they offer. 1 Thier customer relations 2. Thier mode of discount 3. The speed in accessing them.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
The customer representative and how fast they resolve issues. They have so many great opportunities as well as many potential.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 4 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
Friendly and knowledgeable associates who make me very satisfied with all transactions. The customer service is excellent.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
That they have different types of saving accounts to everyones benefits and needs. Members perks, affordable account options and great CD rates.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 4 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
I like it because it's a great credit union.
Score by category
Amount of fees 4 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 4 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
When considering this bank, you would have to pay for it. My relative made me open an account.
Score by category
Amount of fees 4 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 4 / 5
Customer support 4 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5
Anonymous account holder
September 13, 2024
It’s very convenient. I enjoy these services.
Score by category
Amount of fees 5 / 5
Competitiveness of APY 5 / 5
Customer support 5 / 5
Website / Mobile app 5 / 5