“This award is a reflection on the credit union’s philosophy to providing the best mortgage solutions to our members,” said Todd Hatfield, assistant vice president of mortgage development at Family First Federal Credit Union. “Family First made the commitment to not resign any of its mortgage lending programs in response to the down economy, and instead sought ways to offer more lending options for its members as well as continue to provide a Home Equity Line of Credit program despite the fluctuating home values.”

Family First Federal Credit Union won the award based on the following criteria:

• Its ability to excel in mortgage lending; finding the best mortgage options available to its members
• Its ability to use innovation or creativity in approaches to lending
• Its contribution to improving the quality of life in Utah

The judges for Best of State are selected from all over Utah and volunteer their time to review and score applications. Each judge has been recommended by a Utah Chamber of Commerce, an industry association, or a Utah mayor’s office, as being a leader or expert in their particular field. Over 100 judges reviewed the nominations for the Best of State Awards. Each nomination is judged on its own merits and is not ranked against each other by the judges. Unlike many older judging processes, the Best of State judges perform their assignment(s) individually, away from the possible comments, persuasion or lobbying of other judges. This process is carefully overseen by the independent certified public accounting firm Gilbert & Stewart, P.C. who collects and tabulates the scores for accuracy.

About The Best Of State Awards
The Best of State Awards (www.bestofstate.org) were created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. By recognizing excellence in the state of Utah and sharing examples of success and triumph in worthwhile endeavors, the Best of State awards hopes to inspire all businesses to reach their goals and dreams.

About Family First Federal Credit Union
Family First Federal Credit Union has been providing excellent financial services since 1947. Branches are located in American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Springville, Payson, Lindon, with a Home and Business Loan Center in Orem, and offers online services at www.familyfirstcu.com. The credit union provides various mortgage services including construction loans, mortgage refinance and home equity options. Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Utah County, or has a family member who does, is eligible for membership. As your primary financial institution, Family First Federal Credit Union is dedicated to providing its members with high quality service, friendly staff, and convenient account access to better meet their needs.

Jennifer Stoddard, Associate Vice President of Member Services answers questions about finances and budgeting on the Family First Web site in a section called “Ask Jenn.” The “Ask Jenn” feature can be found on Family First’s Web site at www.familyfirstcu.com.

Moore plans to leverage his strong background in lending to help grow the credit union’s membership base. Before joining Family First, Moore spent 30 years at Mountain America Credit Union in various management positions, recently as senior vice president of branch administration. In this position, Moore was responsible for the operation of a $2.8 billion credit union branch network that nearly doubled in size from 38 branches to 63 branches in just five years. He also helped grow Mountain America’s assets from 30 million to 2.8 billion. Moore also served for over 13 years as a credit manager for various departments including consumer credit, collections and member services.

“We are very excited to welcome Kent to the credit union’s management team and to leverage his experience and management skills,” said Terry Thomas, chairman of the Family First Federal Credit Union board of directors. “We are confident that he will take the credit union to a new level of growth by focusing his efforts of revenue generating initiatives that will not only better serve our members but also meet the financial needs of others in the community.”

Moore is very active in the community and the credit union industry. He has served on various committees for the Utah League of Credit Unions including chairman of the political action committee and a member of the grassroots committee. He has also served as the chairman of the Salt Lake City Housing Trust Fund Board and a member of the National Advisory Council for CMG Mortgage Insurance Company. He is a founding trustee of the Karl S. Little Foundation, an organization designed to provide continued education for the local credit union community.

“I was drawn to Family First because of its long history of being a solid financial institution combined with the prospect to help it grow,” said Moore. “As I take this leadership role, I look forward to the opportunity to get to know the members and to implement strategies that will allow us to better serve our members.”

Moore earned a master’s degree in business administration from Westminster College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Utah.

About Family First Federal Credit Union
Family First Federal Credit Union has been providing excellent financial services since 1947. Branches are located in American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Springville, Payson, Lindon, with a Home and Business Loan Center in Orem, and offers online services at www.familyfirstcu.com. The credit union provides various mortgage services including construction loans, mortgage refinance and home equity options. Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Utah County, or has a family member who does, is eligible for membership. As your primary financial institution, Family First Federal Credit Union is dedicated to providing its members with high quality service, friendly staff, and convenient account access to better meet their needs.

Jennifer Stoddard, Associate Vice President of Member Services answers questions about finances and budgeting on the Family First Web site in a section called “Ask Jenn.” The “Ask Jenn” feature can be found on Family First’s Web site at https://www.family1stcu.com.

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Contact:
Sydnee Fox
SNG PR
(801) 208-1100
sydnee.fox@sng.com
www.sng.com

A retirement party for Chappell will be held at the Family First Home and Business Loan Center in Orem at 1178 S. State Road (second floor) on Thursday, June 4 from 6 to 7:30 pm. The event is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for employees and members of the credit union to honor Chappell and his years of service.

The public is invited to a retirement party on June 4 from 6 pm to 7:30 p.m.

Chappell previously served on the Family First Federal Credit Union board of directors. In Sept. 2004 he was asked to serve as interim president and CEO and later, in Dec. of 2004 was appointed by the board to act as president and CEO.

“In working with the board of directors on my decision to retire, I am confident that the credit union will continue to grow and will build upon the foundation that is already in place,” said Chappell. “I am looking forward to watching Family First succeed and to continue to provide outstanding products and services to its members.”

Prior to his service at Family First, Chappell spent 17 years at Utah Valley University, where he was the vice president for administration and institutional advancement overseeing business, support functions and development for the college. He also held academic and administrative posts at The University of Texas and Utah State University.

Dale K. Poulson, who worked closely with Chappell by serving on the credit union’s board of directors for 20 years, added, “the credit union has greatly benefited from Dick’s service and we will always be grateful for his tenure at the credit union. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the credit union and we wish will only the best in this new endeavor.”

About Family First Federal Credit Union
Family First Federal Credit Union has been providing excellent financial services since 1947. Branches are located in American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Springville, Payson, Lindon, with a Home and Business Loan Center in Orem, and offers online services at www.familyfirstcu.com. The credit union provides various mortgage services including construction loans, mortgage refinance and home equity options. Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Utah County, or has a family member who does, is eligible for membership. As your primary financial institution, Family First Federal Credit Union is dedicated to providing its members with high quality service, friendly staff, and convenient account access to better meet their needs.

Jennifer Stoddard, Associate Vice President of Member Services answers questions about finances and budgeting on the Family First Web site in a section called “Ask Jenn.” The “Ask Jenn” feature can be found on Family First’s Web site at www.familyfirstcu.com

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Contact:
Sydnee Fox
SNG PR
(801) 208-1100
sydnee.fox@sng.com
www.sng.com