SALT LAKE CITY–A controversy over a professional soccer team’s jerseys that feature the name of America’s First Credit Union has now expanded to include the state’s governor, with the credit union also responding.
As CUToday.info reported here, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, The Uproar, a community of supporters of the NC Courage, a team that plays in the National Women’s Soccer League, posted ahead of a match against the NWSL’s Utah Royals a message stating, “As we approach the Courage’s match against Utah Royals FC this Friday, we must weigh in on the jersey controversy. While we support all the Utah players and their fans, we can’t stand by without mentioning the front of jersey sponsor, America First Credit Union, of our opponent — the Utah Royals. The phrase ‘America First’ has a long history rooted in racism, fascism, and hateful ideology.”
‘Nazis and KKK’
Since that post, supporters from the Chicago Red Stars and others with the North Carolina Courage have also made critical statements of their own, and the criticism has expanded to include America’s First Field, where the credit union has naming rights to the Royals’ home.
Chicago Local 134 also released a critical statement saying, “The history of the phrase ‘America First’ and the imagery used in the credit union’s logo is rooted in racist ideology [and] propaganda that harks back to the Nazis and the KKK,” the statement read. “[S]occer is for all, and promoting an institution that is represented by racist propaganda is unacceptable.”
That led to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to respond via X, “Just when you think this website can’t get any more ridiculous (I had to double check if this was a parody account…sadly it is not).”
Credit Union’s Statement
America First Credit Union also issued a statement to the Salt Lake City Tribune saying, “America First Credit Union is dedicated to serving the financial needs of all individuals and communities within its field of membership. Its name and history are rooted in the credit union’s initial connection with the United States government, serving civilian federal employees working at American military bases, including Utah’s Fort Douglas, where the credit union was founded in 1939.
“Throughout its 85-year history, America First Credit Union has worked to put the financial needs and interests of its members and community first—never losing sight of their founding principle of ‘people helping people.’”
History of CU
The Tribune noted the credit union was founded 1939 under the name Fort Douglas Civilian Employees Credit Union. It became Federal Employees Credit Union in 1947 after the company relocated to Ogden , Utah.
In 1984, it became America First Credit Union. The company said “America” comes from its connection with the U.S. government and working with people who worked on military bases and depots in Utah.
Logo a Tribute to Military
“It also said ‘First’ was meant to reflect our continuing dedication to always putting the financial needs of our members at the forefront of our efforts.”
In regards to its logo, AFCU told the publication it’s a representation of the North American Bald Eagle, and “stylistically designed to look similar to the wings worn by many of the brave service men and women in our armed forces.”
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