Nite-Lite coupon for $1 off admission

If haven’t driven through the Nite Lite attraction at the Jackson County Fairgrounds during the holidays, you’re missing out on quite a light show.

The fairgrounds have offered American 1 members a coupon for $1 off the admission price. Thanks, JCF! The attraction is open from Friday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 28 from 6-10 p.m.

You can pick up a coupon at any branch location. We also included on in your November newsletter mailing, so open up your statement and clip it out. If you get e-statements (and we hope you do!), you can ask us for a coupon and we’ll send you one.

Ever been through the Nite Lites attraction? What did you think?

Seattle newspaper: Credit unions put members first

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says there is one important lesson to be learned from the financial weirdness going on:

Despite the interrelated nature of the finance sector, credit unions are a safe and stable place to put our money. We ignore at our peril the lesson of the recent relative stability of credit unions…It is not just the fact that credit unions have better rates and didn’t indulge in precarious behavior. In credit unions [members], not investors, are sovereign.

Eric Bowman writes that the “financialization” of our economy – where money is made by moving funds around, not by producing anything of worth – is partly to blame for the housing, credit, and stock market mess. When banks strive for profit and not service, they make risky decisions.

Bowman argues that, by focusing on service, credit unions stay healthy for the long-haul.

$500 gas card winner had three entries

This month, Alan C. of Jackson learned that the old adage, “three times the charm,” really holds up.

That’s because, after referring his three kids, Alan is American 1’s September $500 gas card winner.

When Alan was opening new membership accounts for his three kids last month, Kristen Lewis at our Argyle Branch filled out the GreenBack referral cards for each child. Those three entries obviously improved his chances of winning.

“What are the chances of winning something like this, even with three entries?” Alan asks. “I sure didn’t expect it.”

The gas cards will “help considerably,” Alan says, no matter how many highs or lows the price of gas experiences.

Congratulations to Alan. There are just a few more months left in our membership referral contest. Visit our GreenBack page to learn more!

Two membership winners for June.

Last month was kind of a milestone: we had a Silver and a Bronze winner for our membership referral contest.

Alexis R. of Jackson (above) came in to open an account with her friend, Emily, and entered her name as the referral on a whim. As luck would have it, Alexis was picked as our $25 dollar winner in June.

“I was pretty excited,” Alexis says. “I’ve never won a contest before.”




Maricela Orozco of Jackson (above, with daughter Alondra) opened up an Eagle Earners account for all three of her kids. The shotgun approach worked, earning her a $50 cash prize.

Congratulations to both of our June membership winners. Only one more drawing to go before our big $1,000 cash prize is awarded, so keep referring new members and the winner could be you.

April membership winner.

Keegan C., an American 1 member since 2003, is our April membership “Bronze” winner. Keegan wins $25 cash for referring his son, Logan.

Keegan referred two other people, and now has three chances to win our $1,000 cash prize in July. How did Keegan feel about that?

“Hey, free money,” he said.

Congratulations Keegan!