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At a glance

4.2

Bankrate Score

CDs

Checking

Savings

MMA

Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.

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

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

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

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America First Credit Union banking products

3.0

/5

See methodology Compare savings rates

SCORE BREAKDOWN

APY offering:

0.05%

1/5

APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest.

Minimum balance for APY:

$1.00

5/5

The lowest deposit amount an account must have before it can earn interest.

Monthly service fee:

$0.00

5/5

A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account if certain requirements are not met.

Minimum balance to avoid fee:

$0.00

5/5

The lowest balance an account must maintain in order to avoid a fee.

Access to funds:

Great

5/5

A procedure that allows an individual or organization to access and manage the funds of another account holder.

FEATURES

0.05% APY

APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11.

$1 minimum balance for APY

$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

Only $1 is needed to open the account and maintain credit union membership.
There’s no monthly fee.
Account holders can make unlimited transactions.

Cons

The APY is minimal.
The account can’t be opened online.

Rate history for America First Credit Union's Savings account

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 last updated between 8/5 and 8/11.

National average APY

How do we get this data?

Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.

Date Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.	America First Credit Union APY APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11. APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11	National average APY The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
05/07/2024	0.05%	0.59%
04/02/2024	0.05%	0.58%
03/05/2024	0.05%	0.57%
01/02/2024	0.05%	0.58%
12/05/2023	0.05%	0.57%
11/07/2023	0.05%	0.60%
10/03/2023	0.05%	0.58%
09/05/2023	0.05%	0.57%
08/15/2023	0.05%	0.55%

Compare Offer

America First Credit Union CD overview

America First Credit Union offers nine share certificates at different APYs, each covering a specified term range. The shortest term available is three to five months, while the longest is 60 months. All certificates have a $500 minimum to open.

Rates on America First’s certificates are competitive. The highest rate offered, on the six- to 11-month certificate, is among the best rates you can find.

There are a couple of specialty certificate options. One is a 12-month Flexible Certificate, which allows members to deposit additional funds into the account each month. There’s also a bump-up option for all terms, though the rate is typically less than a regular certificate’s.

Pros

Members can choose from a wide range of terms.
Only $500 is needed to open any of the nine share certificates offered.
APYs are competitive.
Specialty options are available, including a bump-up option.

Cons

Rate history for America First Credit Union's CD accounts

See how rates for this account have changed over time. Select the CD term length from the dropdown and interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.

America First Credit Union

APY

APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11.

National average APY

Term length

How do we get this data?

Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.

Date Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.	America First Credit Union APY APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11. APY last updated between 8/5 and 8/11	National average APY The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
08/06/2024	4.20%	1.45%
07/02/2024	4.20%	1.41%
06/04/2024	4.20%	1.43%
04/02/2024	4.20%	1.42%
03/12/2024	4.20%	1.43%
02/06/2024	4.20%	1.42%
12/05/2023	4.20%	1.43%
11/07/2023	4.20%	1.45%
10/24/2023	4.10%	1.46%
10/03/2023	4.00%	1.46%
09/05/2023	4.00%	1.43%
08/15/2023	4.00%	1.39%

Compare Offer

America First Credit Union money market overview

America First’s Money Market Savings account comes with tiered APYs that increase with higher account balances. While rates are decent and higher than the share savings rate, there are better rates available elsewhere.

The money market account has no minimum balance requirement or monthly fees. There also is no transaction limit — members can make withdrawals at an ATM or credit union branch.

Unlike the share savings account, the money market account can be opened online.

Pros

There’s no minimum balance requirement or monthly fee.
Some higher rates are available with higher balances.
There’s no transaction limit.

Cons

Rates are not competitive.

4.6

Bankrate Score

Compare top checking rates

America First Credit Union checking overview

America First offers a Regular Checking account that’s interest-bearing and has no monthly fee. There’s no minimum balance requirement to open the account, but you’ll need at least $500 to earn the APY. The overdraft fee is $25, which is slightly below average, and there’s no nonsufficient funds (NSF) fee.A Premium Checking account option is also available for a $6 monthly fee, though this fee is waived when members receive at least $500 in direct deposits, make at least 20 debit card transactions and maintain a balance of at least $1,500 each month. The Premium account comes with added benefits, such as up to $10 in ATM rebates per month, the ability to earn cash back rewards and a full identity theft protection suite.

Members have access to ATMs in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho, as well as free access to over 30,000 ATMs in the credit union CO-OP network.

Pros

You can earn interest with at least $500 in the account.
There’s no monthly fee or minimum deposit requirement to open.
Members have access to over 30,000 ATMs through the CO-OP network.

Cons

You won’t earn interest if your account balance falls below $500.

Compare Offer

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 Aug. 5, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2024.

Selected bank America First Credit Union savings account NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 3 stars out of 5 3.0 Bankrate Savings rating = 3.0/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.	Most comparable Bethpage Federal Credit Union savings account NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 3 stars out of 5 3.0 Bankrate Savings rating = 3.0/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review	Search for or select a bank: Bankrate score Bankrate Savings rating Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review
APY APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. APYs last updated between Aug. 5, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2024.
0.05%	5.35%
Minimum balance for APY
$1.00	$0.00
Estimated earnings Interest earned calculation based on a $50,000 deposit amount for a period of 1 year and is rounded to the nearest dollar. Exact earnings are dependent on calendar year, balance, and compounding frequency. Minimum deposit rules may apply.
$25	$2,675

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 APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. Minimum balance for APY: $1.00 5/5 The lowest deposit amount an account must have before it can earn interest. Monthly service fee: $0.00 5/5 A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account if certain requirements are not met. Minimum balance to avoid fee: $0.00 5/5 The lowest balance an account must maintain in order to avoid a fee. Access to funds: Great 5/5 A procedure that allows an individual or organization to access and manage the funds of another account holder.	Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.	APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. The lowest deposit amount an account must have before it can earn interest. A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account if certain requirements are not met. The lowest balance an account must maintain in order to avoid a fee. A procedure that allows an individual or organization to access and manage the funds of another account holder. Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.

Selected bank America First Credit Union CD NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 5 stars out of 5 5.0 Bankrate CD rating = 5.0/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.	Most comparable Quorum Federal Credit Union CD NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 4.5 Bankrate CD rating = 4.5/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review	Search for or select a bank: Bankrate score Bankrate CD rating Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review
APY APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. APYs last updated between Aug. 5, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2024.
5.25%	2.60%
Minimum deposit
$500.00	$1,000.00
Term
9 mos	1 yr

America First Credit Union offers nine share certificates at different APYs, each covering a specified term range. The shortest term available is three to five months, while the longest is 60 months. All certificates have a $500 minimum to open. Rates on America First’s certificates are competitive. The highest rate offered, on the six- to 11-month certificate, is among the best rates you can find. There are a couple of specialty certificate options. One is a 12-month Flexible Certificate, which allows members to deposit additional funds into the account each month. There’s also a bump-up option for all terms, though the rate is typically less than a regular certificate’s.	Members have access to term savings accounts (another name for certificates of deposit). The bank offers term lengths ranging from three months to five years. No specialty term savings accounts are offered, such as a no-penalty account. All of the CD terms pay annual percentage yields (APYs) that are above the national average, and a handful of the terms offer some of the highest APYs on the market today. Larger deposits are rewarded with a higher yield, as deposits of $100,000 or more earn an additional 0.1 percent APY, according to the bank’s website. Quorum’s CDs all require a manageable $1,000 minimum deposit to open. The accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Association's Share Insurance Fund. Quorum also offers IRA CDs with terms ranging from three months to five years.

Members can choose from a wide range of terms Only $500 is needed to open any of the nine share certificates offered APYs are competitive Specialty options are available, including a bump-up option	The accounts require a manageable minimum deposit to open Big savers are rewarded for deposits above $100,000 A handful of terms offer highly competitive yields	N/A
N/A	The credit union doesn’t offer any specialty term savings accounts Early withdrawal penalties are on the steep side	N/A

APY offering: 5.25% - 9 mos 5/5 APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. APYs are selected based on Bankrate reviews of the highest rates a bank offers between the term ranges of 7 and 17 months. This excludes jumbo CDs and applies when the minimum deposit is $25k or less. Minimum deposit: $500.00 5/5 The minimum deposit amount a financial institution requires in order to open a CD. Range of term lengths: 3 mos - 5 yrs 5/5 A designated amount of time that funds must be held within a CD. Early withdrawal penalty: Great 5/5 A penalty incurred when funds have been withdrawn from a CD before its maturity date. Offer no-penalty or bump-up CDs: Yes 5/5 A CD that doesn’t incur a penalty if funds are withdrawn before its maturity date. Offer IRA CDs: Yes 5/5 An IRA account which consists of CDs that typically earns fixed interest over a specified period of time.	Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.	Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.

Selected bank America First Credit Union money market account NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 3.5 Bankrate Money Market rating = 3.5/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.	Most comparable Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union money market account NCUA Insured Bankrate score Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5 3.7 Bankrate Money Market rating = 3.7/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review	Search for or select a bank: Bankrate score Bankrate Money Market rating Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. Read review
APY APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. APYs last updated between Aug. 5, 2024 and Aug. 11, 2024.
1.70%	1.82%
Minimum balance for APY
$10,000.00	$2,500.00
Estimated earnings Interest earned calculation based on a $50,000 deposit amount for a period of 1 year and is rounded to the nearest dollar. Exact earnings are dependent on calendar year, balance, and compounding frequency. Minimum deposit rules may apply.
$850	$910

America First’s Money Market Savings account comes with tiered APYs that increase with higher account balances. While rates are decent and higher than the share savings rate, there are better rates available elsewhere. The money market account has no minimum balance requirement or monthly fees. There also is no transaction limit — members can make withdrawals at an ATM or credit union branch. Unlike the share savings account, the money market account can be opened online.	RBFCU offers two types of money market accounts: the Classic Money Market account and the Choice Money Market account. For the Classic Money Market account, the same APY is offered on balances of $2,500 or more. With the Choice Money Market account, a tiered rate structure applies. At the time of Bankrate’s review, the $2,500-$10,000 tier earned the account’s highest APY, followed by the $10,000-$25,000 tier. Balances of $25,000 or more earned the lowest APY. RBFCU’s top-tier APY for the Choice Money Market account was above the national average at the time of Bankrate’s review, though you can find higher yields at other institutions. A $2,500 minimum balance is required to open each money market account, and neither charges a monthly service fee. If the account balance falls below $2,500, it will convert to a standard savings account and earn a much lower rate. The credit union doesn’t offer check writing with its money market accounts.

There’s no minimum balance requirement or monthly fee Some higher rates are available with higher balances There’s no transaction limit	No monthly service fee is charged for either account The Choice account gives savers the opportunity to earn a high yield on a portion of their balances	N/A
Rates are not competitive	The Choice Money Market Account top-tier yield is lower than a few online banks There’s no check-writing available	N/A

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 Review 2024

The Bankrate promise

At a glance

Overview

Highlights

Overall

Pros

Cons

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

America First Credit Union banking products

America First Credit Union savings overview

Pros

Cons

Rate history for America First Credit Union's Savings account

America First Credit Union CD overview

Pros

Cons

Rate history for America First Credit Union's CD accounts

America First Credit Union money market overview

Pros

Cons

America First Credit Union checking overview

Pros

Cons

Bank fees

Customer experience

About America First Credit Union

How America First Credit Union compares to other banks

Review methodology

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