Mountain America Credit Union marked 90 years of service on July 16, 2026, by recognizing 31 nonprofit organizations as "Community Champions" with $500 grants each. The anniversary celebration, which spanned more than 100 branches across five states, featured member-selected nonprofits that provide essential services to vulnerable populations.
Member-Selected Nonprofit Awards
As part of the milestone anniversary, Mountain America Credit Union distributed grants to organizations representing diverse causes such as food security, youth development, education, financial literacy, housing assistance, and health services. These nonprofit recipients were chosen by credit union members through a voting process held over several weeks leading up to the July 16 event.
United Way of Eastern Utah Recognized
The United Way of Eastern Utah was identified as a winner within its specific region, covering American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Orem, and Vineyard. The organization was recognized specifically for its role in providing community support services.
A Legacy of Community Service
Mountain America Credit Union's president and CEO, Sterling Nielsen, stated that the credit union's members and their communities have been at the heart of the organization for 90 years. Nielsen noted that the milestone provided an opportunity to thank the team members and communities that shaped the institution's history.
Growth and National Standing
The credit union, which was originally founded in 1936 by telephone employees, has expanded into one of the largest credit unions in the United States. It currently serves more than 1.4 million members through a network of over 100 branches operating across Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada.
National Industry Recognition
In addition to its scale, Mountain America has received several national honors. According to the credit union, it has been recognized as the number one SBA lender among credit unions nationwide for 22 consecutive years by Callahan & Associates. Furthermore, USA Today ranked the institution as number seven nationally in 2026 as one of the nation's best employers and the highest-ranked financial institution for the third consecutive year.
Anniversary Event Details
The July 16 celebration included community events held at branches between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., where members could interact with nonprofit partners, participate in games, and receive giveaways. The anniversary event focused on the credit union's founding philosophy of "people helping people" as it enters its tenth decade of operation.
Regional Winners List
Other regional winners in the Community Champions program included organizations such as I Am Beinestar for mental health support in Spanish Fork and Payson, and the Candy Bomber Foundation for youth kindness education in Richfield. The full list of 31 champions highlights a broad spectrum of community impact across the credit union's five-state footprint.
