America First Credit Union announced its Free Financial Education Seminar Series today to further its concern for the financial well-being of consumers within its Utah service areas.

The seminars will be held in a variety of locations throughout the year and offer training on current financial matters, including:

• Strategies for Understanding Your Credit
• Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage
• Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
• Budgeting Basics
• Debt Elimination Using Power Payments

“Our objective in providing these free seminars is to keep our members and the public informed of important financial issues, so they can take the necessary actions for their own financial well-being,” said John Lund, executive vice president at America First.

“The seminars provide a variety of real-world financial instruction to benefit and empower a broad audience. We know that when people understand their financial abilities, they are more confident in their efforts to achieve success,” Lund said.

Locations and dates for America First’s Free Financial Education Seminar Series have been carefully selected and the schedule is filling up for the rest of 2012. Additional events will be added to accommodate more people and other popular financial topic requests.

Those wanting to review the current schedule and register for the free seminars should visit http://www.americafirst.com/about/news/events/.

Upcoming sessions of the America First Free Financial Education Seminar Series:

Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage in the Cottonwood Heights America First Branch located at 6924 South 2300 East on Saturday, March 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This seminar is best for seniors and their adult children who wish to to learn how to get extra income without making loan payments. Attendees will also learn:

• The benefits of a Reverse Mortgage
• How to qualify for a Reverse Mortgage
• Borrower's responsibilities

Strategies for Understanding Your Credit in the America First Ogden Main Branch located at 3650 Wall Avenue on Saturday, March 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. Attendees will learn:

·         Ten things you must know about credit reports and credit scores

·         Why consumers should care about credit

·         Steps to improving your credit score

America First staff will teach these and other important aspects of credit scores, along with tips for repairing or rebuilding a low credit score.

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft in the America First Ogden Main Branch located at 3650 Wall Avenue on Saturday, March 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. Attendees will learn how to protect their personal information, accounts, identity and, ultimately, their money. Topics covered will also include:

• Different ways your identity can be stolen
• How stolen identities are used by criminals

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft in the America First Providence Macey's Little Theatre located at 50 North Highway 165 on Saturday, March 31 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Budgeting Basics in the Sandy Training Center located at 230 West Townridge Parkway on Saturday, April 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. Attendees will learn how to create a realistic and workable budget that will help them achieve their financial goals. Topics covered will include:

• Basic elements of a budget
• How to compile your personal financial data
• How to track expenses
• How to incorporate savings into your budget

Debt Elimination Using PowerPay in the Sandy Training Center located at 230 West Townridge Parkway on Saturday, May 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. Refreshments will be provided and all attendees will be entered into a drawing for gift cards to local restaurants. 

They will learn effective debt-management tips and:

• How to eliminate debt faster using Power Payments
• How to create a spending plan
• Basic budgeting tips
• How to turn debt into savings