Estate planning at America First
How to protect 22 America First accounts — manage beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and file claims through America First's America First Trust Advisors (Members Trust Company)
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
America First Trust Advisors (Members Trust Company)
Trust Services -- Deceased Member Account Counseling / Estate Settlement
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
America First offers 22 accounts, each with its own rules for what happens when a member dies. As a membership-based credit union, America First branch network across six western states, headquartered in Riverdale, Utah. Membership eligibility varies by location. The pending Meadows Bank acquisition (planned second quarter of 2026) keeps all Meadows branches open under the Meadows Financial name. Some transfer automatically to a named beneficiary, others can be held in a trust, and a few may require probate if no plan is in place.
America First lets account holders update beneficiary designations in branch, by mail, and by phone, typically taking 15-30 minutes at a branch; allow mailing time if returning the form by post. Trust funding is also available, allowing families to retitle accounts into the name of a revocable living trust.
America First has documented procedures for both preparing accounts during your lifetime and handling claims when an account holder passes away.
Preparing your estate
Beneficiaries and trust funding
How to update beneficiaries in-branch, fund a trust in-branch, and review 22 account types at America First.
View details →When someone dies
Death claim process
Contact America First's America First Trust Advisors (Members Trust Company) to file a claim. 7-step process, 6 required documents, and contact information for survivors.
View details →Reach America First's America First Trust Advisors (Members Trust Company) at 1-801-827-7379 for help with any of these procedures.
Because America First serves a limited number of states, procedures for trust funding and beneficiary changes may differ depending on your location. Verify availability before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Not automatically, and the order matters. Section 5 of the Membership Agreement says a POD designation does not apply to certificate accounts, which are governed by a separate beneficiary designation. Only in the ABSENCE of a certificate-specific POD does the share savings account POD govern the certificate. If you hold a ladder of certificates, each one carries its own designation -- review them individually rather than assuming the savings account POD carries through.
Sources
Data sourced from America First primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
America First Trust Advisors (Members Trust Company)
Trust Services -- Deceased Member Account Counseling / Estate Settlement
America First Credit Union, P.O. Box 9199, Ogden, UT 84409
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your America First accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
