Growing with Utah

Changing for the Better, Still Putting You First

Many of you know where our credit union began in 1956-- as an idea formed in a small room with a small group of professors on the University of Utah campus-- but where we’re headed, is becoming a whole new story. As Utah has grown, our organization has grown with it. As the needs of our communities have changed, we’ve evolved to meet the demands of Utah’s rapidly growing culture. 

Our state is flourishing and, more than ever, Utahns need more diverse financial products, they need improved banking technology, and, overall, Utahns need a greater presence from us, a financial institution that’s trusted by Utah and recognized nationally as a financial pillar of our state. Most importantly, you deserve a financial institution who sees Utah’s needs and rises to meet them; you deserve a credit union that grows alongside you and your family. We owe it to you-- to your family, your neighbors, to Utah’s schools and businesses, and to all of Utah’s burgeoning communities-- to grow, and we will always put your needs first.

That’s why, after careful deliberation and months of research, we have decided to change our name to UFirst Credit Union. This is not a decision we made lightly, but rather, we understood that, in order to demonstrate our promise to the community, our name needed to better reflect our dedication to you; it needed to show that we are not limited by our roots, but instead, we’re empowered by them. The strength of our roots enables us to support you, and our growth enables us to serve you better. 

Beginning January 18, 2022, University Federal Credit Union will go forward UFirst Credit Union, a name that underscores our mission to serve Utah’s families, schools, and businesses, and proves that, no matter how much we grow, you will always be our first priority. Before all else, we’ll always put you first. 

Our Rebrand

The Story Behind Our New Look

Since our founding over sixty-five years ago, we have been close partners with the University of Utah. As we have expanded beyond the University campus, our connection with the University of Utah has remained as strong as ever. We continue to serve and support the University’s students, faculty, and staff even as we have built new branches in places like St. George, Lehi, and Eagle Mountain.  

Our membership continues to grow across all areas of Utah, and this partnership that is so important to us has also created much confusion about who is eligible to join our credit union. Our footprint covers most of Utah and nearly everyone in the state can be a member. However, we have found that many people believe that only students and alumni of the University of Utah can be members of our community-based credit union. 

As we began working on plans to open more branches outside of the Salt Lake Valley, we partnered with a local market research company to determine what impact our name has on the perception of member eligibility. We spent eighteen months conducting research studies, studying feedback and member comments to determine what would be the best course of action. 

The results were convincing. Over 40% of respondents believed that only students or alumni of the University of Utah could become members of our credit union. Additionally, we found that our members’ most valued aspect of the credit union is our excellent member service. In fact, one member stated, “I don’t care what you call yourself, as long as you continue to treat me with the same great service.”  

After months of research and analysis, we made the decision to change our name to better reflect our values and what is most important to us as an institution: you, our members! 

Rebranding was not a decision we made casually. We are not merging with another credit union, and we will continue to be the same safe and secure credit union that you know today. We will remain committed to you and your needs, and we will maintain a strong partnership with the University of Utah. We were born there; we will always be connected to our roots on campus and supportive of the University’s students, faculty and staff. 

As we grow, we honor our start on campus, and we look forward to a bigger and better future as UFirst Credit Union. 

Our History of Putting You First

Serving You Community Since 1956

For more than sixty-five years, our credit union has worked to make a difference for Utah. We value the communities where you live, work, learn and grow, and, to ensure those communities can continue to advance, we will always put your needs first. During the past decades, we’ve been growing into one of the most trusted financial institutions in our state. Here’s a look at some of the most important milestones in our recent history.  

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      --- 2004, University First Federal Credit Union 

In 2004, we expanded our field of membership from those affiliated with the University of Utah, to anyone who lives, works, worships, goes to school, or volunteers in Salt Lake County, along with the immediate family members of anyone who met those criteria. 

This expansion marked an important milestone for our growth and trajectory, laying the groundwork for a modern credit union that could better serve larger and growing communities. 

      --- 2020, Field of Membership Expansion

In 2020, our field of membership expanded further to include Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Wasatch, Summit, and Tooele Counties. With the ability to establish roots in even more Utah communities, we experienced major growth in our organization, assets, employees and the communities we serve.  

      --- 2021, Forbes "Best Credit Union in Utah" 

In 2021, we were named “Best Credit Union in Utah” by Forbes for offering superior customer service, financial advice, branch service, digital services, and for the trust we’ve fostered with our members and community.

      --- 2022, Our Biggest Name Change

In January of 2022, nearly sixty-six years after we first began serving Utah, we will go forward with a new name that better reflects our presence in the Utah community and exemplifies our philosophy of serving members. After January 18, 2022, we are UFirst Credit Union.

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With the strength of our history and the momentum of our growth, we’re ready to help you achieve more, too. Looking ahead, we know the best is yet to come!