NEWSLETTER
President's Message
A Tax on Credit Unions Is a Tax on You
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions provide value to members through lower interest rates, higher dividends on deposits, and programs that benefit their communities. Take action to help maintain our current federal tax-exempt status.
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Benefits to Boost Your Budget
Our MyStyle® Checking account is packed with added benefits that you may not know about. See the top three money-saving perks our members love and learn how you can take advantage of them too!
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Leverage Your Home’s Value to Get Ahead
If you’ve made payments on your home for a while, you’ve likely built some equity. Discover several ways to utilize this asset to your advantage and find out how to use our My Home Value tool to make this happen.
Quiz
Unlock Fraud Mastery
From phishing to the latest financial scams, test your ability to spot red flags—and get some helpful advice to protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud.
Announcement
Annual Business Meeting
As a member, you are invited to attend Mountain America’s Annual Business Meeting at the Mountain America Center on Tuesday, April 22, at 6 p.m.
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A Tax on Credit Unions Is a Tax on You
Sterling Nielsen,
President/CEO
I recently returned from nearly a week in Washington D.C. where I met with credit union and congressional leadership to discuss the credit union impact. This is a crucial time for the credit union model, which traces its origins back to the Federal Credit Union Act of 1934. This legislation established the ability for credit unions to provide communities nationwide with affordable and accessible financial products and services.
Take action to protect credit unions
We strengthen communities
We prioritize members
We began together
We invest in you
We strengthen communities
How credit unions strengthen communities
Through my 30 years in the financial industry, I’ve seen firsthand how credit unions like Mountain America stand as vital pillars in the financial landscape. They incorporate community values into an industry often dominated by profit-driven financial corporations. Bottom line, they strengthen our communities.Right now, it is critical that our collective voices are heard to protect our credit unions. Decisions are being made behind closed doors to essentially kill the credit union model by removing the tax-exempt status. Because our mission is different, our structure must be too—this exemption keeps us from becoming just another bank.
Make your voice heard
We prioritize members
How credit unions prioritize members
As member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions stand apart. Unlike banks, they aren’t forced to answer to shareholders. In fact, profits are returned to our owners—as a credit union member, that’s you. Credit unions prioritize a member-first approach by creating economic advantages and diverse financial solutions for everyday Americans. The credit union difference gives members the opportunity to enjoy unique advantages such as:- Free or low-fee account options.
- Personalized and free financial guidance.
- Lower rates on mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.
- Higher dividends on deposits and savings.
- Programs and resources that impact local communities.
We began together
How credit unions began
The U.S. credit union movement began in the early 1900s as banks made access to essential financial services harder for working Americans. As an alternative, families, farmers and small business owners decided to join together to pool resources and improve the living standards for those in their communities.When President Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act in 1934, it established authorization for federally chartered credit unions in every state. In 1937, Congress recognized the importance of the credit union movement and provided them with a federally exempt income tax status to ensure they continued to meet the needs of underserved people and communities.
We invest in you
Improving members’ lives
According to data from America’s Credit Unions, 140 million Americans (43% of the population) are now served by over 4,600 credit unions throughout the country, and yet credit unions hold only 8.8% of the assets in the financial industry. This is a clear indication that the top priority of credit unions is to improve their members’ lives.As active community partners, credit unions contribute billions in state and local taxes each year. The only exception is the federal income tax on profits. And that’s because those profits are returned to the members.
How you can help
For more than 100 years, people have come together to be a part of credit unions and support each other through tough financial times.
Now is the time to ask for your help. As Congress considers tax reform legislation, would you consider contacting your local representative to urge them to maintain credit unions’ current tax status?
Take actionMountain America is committed to improving the lives of every member while helping you define and achieve your financial goals. Thank you for your valued membership.
Sincerely,
Sterling Nielsen
1.2 million
jobs provided by credit unions nationwide
4,617
credit unions in the United States
$35+ billion
in total consumer financial benefits
$297 billion
in total economic impact
140 million
Americans served by credit unions
Give Your Budget a Break with MyStyle
Built-in lifelines to save you money in a pinch
Everyone needs a checking account—but what if yours could go beyond just deposits and withdrawals? Mountain America specifically made MyStyle® Checking with our members in mind. The premium benefits were curated to complement your unique lifestyle, so you can take advantage of an estimated monthly savings value of over $150.¹
Here are three ways to give your budget a break with MyStyle:
Clutch loan rate discounts
If you’ve been contemplating a new auto, RV or personal loan, enjoy a 0.25% rate reduction.²
Zero-copay telehealth services
Avoid the bill next time you need nonemergency care. MyStyle offers prescription discounts and access to doctors and mental health professionals without a copay.³
Peace-of-mind mobile phone protection
With up to $850 in coverage for damaged or stolen phones, you’ll be ready to save the day.⁴
Browse all the perks and see which offerings can save you money on activities that are already part of your lifestyle. To access your benefits, log in to online banking or the mobile app.
Go to Accounts > MyStyle Benefits.
Benefits are not available on business accounts. See MyStyle Checking account information for full details of coverage and exclusions.
- Estimated value is based on approximate monthly cost or savings for similar marketplace benefits and is subject to change. Benefits and features may vary and may not necessarily reflect the exact features offered through MyStyle Checking. No cash value is implied with the use of this account or any of its features.
- Loans on approved credit. Loan rate discount valid on select new loans only.
- Telehealth services are NOT insurance. Benefit requires no-cost registration/activation.
- Insurance products are not insured by the NCUA or any federal government agency; not a deposit of or guaranteed by the credit union or any credit union affiliate.
Leverage Your Home’s Value to Get Ahead
2024 Elevate Scholarship Winners Announced
The Mountain America Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth who embody our core values and serve their communities. We are thrilled to announce 2024 scholarship winners and hope these awards will guide these graduating high school seniors forward as they pursue their educational goals.
GET NOTIFIED
Our 2025 Elevate Scholarship applications will open later this year.
Sign up nowYour home’s value is more than a number—it’s a powerful borrowing tool. Not only does it unlock lower-rate financing options, it can also help you maintain financial flexibility through any market condition. Here's how to use this asset to your advantage.
How do I find my home’s value?
Getting an estimate is quick and easy. All you need is the Mountain America app or online banking. Look for our free My Home Value tool. It includes an estimate of your home’s worth with more precise numbers than real estate websites.
Here’s how to access the tool:
- Log in to the mobile app or online banking.
- Navigate to Financial Health in the main menu.
- Select My Home Value.
Log in to online banking or download the app to get started.
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Loans on approved credit.
Equal Housing Lender NMLS ID 462815
Quiz: Unlock fraud mastery
2024 Elevate Scholarship Winners Announced
The Mountain America Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth who embody our core values and serve their communities. We are thrilled to announce 2024 scholarship winners and hope these awards will guide these graduating high school seniors forward as they pursue their educational goals.
GET NOTIFIED
Our 2025 Elevate Scholarship applications will open later this year.
Sign up nowApril is Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to sharpen your financial skills and safeguard your assets. In our increasingly digital world, financial savvy is your best defense against fraud. By learning about fraud, you can protect yourself and educate your loved ones, especially seniors, who are often targeted by scammers.
Annual Business Meeting
The board of directors is pleased to invite all Mountain America members to attend the Annual Business Meeting.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
6 p.m.
Mountain America Center
Pinnacle Room—Floor 8 North
9800 South Monroe Street
Sandy, Utah 84070
Photograph © Jason Nez (Jordan River Trail) | 2025 Calendar Contest Winner, April
