America First Credit Union Review 2024
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Compare America First Credit Union products
Start saving
On America First Credit Union’s website. America First Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Start banking
On America First Credit Union’s website. America First Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Start saving
On America First Credit Union’s website. America First Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Overall credit union rating
Pros and cons
America First Credit Union Share Savings Account
America First Credit Union Share Savings Account
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.05%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$1
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
$1 minimum opening deposit -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No monthly service fees
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Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Low-interest rate -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Interest compounded monthly, not daily
Product Details
- Membership is restricted to certain parts of the West
- 128 branches in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah
- 5,600 shared branches and 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP Shared Network
- Must keep at least $1 in account to maintain membership and earn interest
- Interest compounded and deposited monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
You’ll have to open the America First Credit Union Share Savings Account to become a member at America First. The account doesn’t charge any monthly fees and only requires $1 to open and maintain membership.
America First Credit Union Classic Checking Account
America First Credit Union Classic Checking Account
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.10%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$0
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No minimum opening deposit -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No monthly service fees -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Overdraft protection available
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Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
$25 overdraft fee -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
$1.50 out-of-network ATM fee -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Must have at least $500 in account to earn interest -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Low-interest rate
Product Details
- Membership is restricted to certain parts of the West
- 128 branches in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah
- 5,600 shared branches and 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP Shared Network
- Must have at least $500 in account to earn interest
- If you use overdraft protection, America First provides a line of credit for a $25 charge
- Interest compounded and deposited monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The America First Credit Union Classic Checking Account is a decent choice if you are looking for a free checking account.
Be mindful of overdrawing, though. America First provides a line of credit when you use overdraft protection but still charges a $25 fee.
America First Credit Union Certificate
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
4.20% to 5.25%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$500
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Competitive APY -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
$500 opening deposit -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Low early withdrawal penalties
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Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
No terms over 5 years -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Interest compounded monthly, not daily -
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
Membership is restricted to certain counties in the West
Product Details
- Membership is restricted to certain parts of the West
- Term lengths ranging from 3 months to 5 years
- Early withdrawal penalty of 60 days interest for terms of 12 months or less; 180 days interest for terms over 12 months
- Interest is compounded monthly and paid monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
America First offers high CD rates. It has several share CD options, including flexible certificates that let you deposit and withdraw money after you’ve opened one. Regardless of which term choose, you’ll also earn a good interest rate.
America First Credit Union Money Market Savings Account
America First Credit Union Money Market Savings Account
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
1.50% to 4.60%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$0
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A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Earn a high-interest rate account with high account balances -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No minimum opening deposit -
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No monthly service fees
-
Two crossed lines form an ‘X’.
No debit card
Product Details
- Membership is restricted to certain parts of the West
- 128 branches in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah
- 5,600 shared branches and 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP Shared Network
- Earn 1.50% APY if you have an account balance between $0 and $4,999.99
- Earn 1.50% APY if you have an account balance between $5,000 and $9,999.99
- Earn 1.70% APY if you have an account balance between $10,000 and $24,999.99
- Earn 2.30% APY if you have an account balance between $25,000 and $49,999.99
- Earn 2.70% APY if you have an account balance between $50,000 and $99,999.99
- Earn 3.45% APY if you have an account balance between $100,000 and $249,999.99
- Earn 4.25% APY if you have an account balance over $250,000
- Interest is compounded monthly and paid monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The America First Credit Union Money Market Savings Account may be ideal if you’re able to maintain a high balance on your account. Account balances over $5,000 earn higher interest than the credit union’s savings account, but it’s still lower than what online banks might offer.
America First also has a money market checking account which comes with a debit card — but you’ll need to deposit at least $10,000 to open an account.
How America First Credit Union works
America First Credit Union has 128 branches in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Members also have access to over 5,600 shared branches and 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP Shared Network.
Customer support is available over the phone, through email, or via live chat. Contact a customer service representative from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MT on weekdays or 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT on Saturdays.
The America First mobile app has 4.7 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store. In the Apple Store, it received 4.9 out of 5 stars.
America First is federally insured by the NCUA, so up to $250,000 is secure in your bank account.
How to join America First Credit Union
You’re eligible for membership at America First Credit Union if you live, work, worship, or volunteer in an Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, or Utah county mentioned on this list. If you have a family member or spouse who’s a current member, you’re also able to join.
To become a member, you must open a shared savings account.
America First Credit Union trustworthiness and BBB rating
America First Credit Union hasn’t been involved in any recent public controversies.
We also include ratings from the Better Business Bureau to provide information on how financial institutions deal with customer issues and handle transparency practices. The BBB gave America First Credit Union an A+ rating.
America First Credit Union vs. Ally
Both financial institutions offer strong CDs. Ally is one of the few banks that doesn’t require a minimum opening deposit, so it’ll be the best option if you have less than $500 to start with.
If you prefer to deposit $500 or more into a CD, you’ll want to review the CD’s early withdrawal penalties and interest rates to see which institution has the better option for you.
America First Credit Union vs. CIT Bank
CIT Bank might be a good choice if you are planning on getting a jumbo CD. If you’re strictly looking for the highest interest rate though, your choice may depend on the term you choose.
Your decision between these institutions may also boil down to your preferences between online banks and brick-and-mortar banks. CIT Bank is an online-only institution, so you’ll have to be comfortable with online and mobile banking. If you find it hard to manage your account that way, you might prefer banking with America First since it has physical branch locations.
