Canyon View Credit Union Review: Checking, Savings, Loans, and Eligibility

Canyon View Credit Union Overview

Canyon View Credit Union—formerly known as UFirst Credit Union and University First Credit Union—was founded in 1956 by a group of University of Utah professors under the name University Federal Credit Union. Its original purpose was to serve Utah’s university community. Over the years, it has evolved and expanded its services to support a broader audience.

In July 2022, the institution adopted the name UFirst Credit Union, reflecting its reach beyond the university community and a stronger member-first focus. In 2025, the organization changed its name again to Canyon View Credit Union to reflect its growth across Utah and to better distinguish its brand after years of name confusion and litigation involving Utah First Credit Union.

Expansion

In 2004, Canyon View Credit Union expanded its field of membership to include anyone who lives, works, studies, worships, or volunteers in Salt Lake County, plus the immediate family members of people who qualify.

In 2020, it expanded its field of membership again to include Davis, Utah, Wasatch, Summit, and Tooele counties.

As the organization expanded across Utah, it also went through a branding dispute and litigation tied to confusion with Utah First Credit Union, which contributed to a later name change. Despite its growth, Canyon View continues to describe itself as a community-based credit union with strong roots tied to the University of Utah.

Canyon Credit Union Products and Services

Canyon View Credit Union offers both personal and business banking services, including everyday deposit accounts like checking and savings, plus longer-term options like certificate accounts.

On the lending side, it provides a wide range of borrowing options, including auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, and student lending, along with other consumer and business loan products.

For access and convenience, Canyon View highlights a nationwide surcharge-free ATM network with 30,000+ locations, a switch kit to help you move your banking, and financial counseling to support member goals.

Canyon View Credit Union Checking Accounts

Rewards Checking

• $0 monthly fee
• $0 minimum balance
• Earn points with qualifying monthly activity (examples include $1,000 or $3,500 in direct deposits, or 25–50 qualifying Visa debit and/or Visa credit transactions)
• Qualifying transactions are $5+ each
• Get paid up to 2 days early

Dividends Checking

• $0 monthly fee
• $0 minimum balance
• Pays monthly dividends (APY is tiered)
• Perks include $0 box of standard checks annually, free cashier’s checks & money orders, and 24/7 online banking
• Get paid up to 2 days early

Simply Spend Checking

• $0 monthly fee
• $0 minimum balance
• Includes an instantly issued Visa debit card and 24/7 online banking
• Get paid up to 2 days early

Canyon View Credit Union Savings Accounts

Primary Savings

• $0 monthly fee
• $10 minimum balance required for membership
• Earns dividends on your full balance
• Works as your main “membership” savings account

Secondary Savings

• $0 monthly fee
• $0 minimum balance
• Earns dividends on your full balance
• Good for saving toward specific goals (home, car, vacation)

Educational Savings

• $0 monthly fee
• Contribute up to $2,000/year per child
• Earnings grow tax-deferred
• Withdrawals can be tax-free for qualified education expenses
• Earns dividends on your full balance

IRA (Traditional & Roth)

• $0 monthly fee
• Available as Traditional IRA and Roth IRA
• $500 to open
• Earns dividends on your full balance
• IRA Accumulator option has $0 minimum requirement

Christmas Club

• $0 monthly fee
• $0 minimum balance
• Earns dividends on your full balance
• Money is distributed the Friday after Thanksgiving to checking, savings, or by check
• Account closes if you make an early withdrawal

Canyon View Credit Union Certificate Accounts

Certificate accounts are a CD-style way to save where you choose a term and earn dividends, with NCUA-insured deposit protection. Canyon View offers certificates that let you keep adding money, withdraw limited funds, or bump your rate once if rates rise.

Add-On Certificate

• $0 monthly fee
• $10 to open
• Add deposits during the term
• Terms from 3–60 months
• Up to $250,000 aggregate balance

12-Month Access Share Certificate

• $0 monthly fee
• $500 to open
• $100 minimum balance must be maintained
• $0 penalty for 1 withdrawal per calendar quarter
• Additional withdrawals may trigger a dividend penalty

One-Time Bump Share Certificate

• $0 monthly fee
• $500 to open
• Terms from 6 months–5 years
• 1 one-time rate bump during the term
• Renews into a Regular Certificate at maturity unless changed in the 7-day grace period

Regular Share Certificate

• $0 monthly fee
• $500 to open
• Terms from 3–60 months
• Fixed dividend rates for the term you choose
• NCUA-insured deposit protection up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category

Canyon View Credit Union Credit Cards

Before choosing a card, here are the Visa Card Benefits that apply across Canyon View’s Visa credit cards:

Visa Card Benefits

• Instant issuance: In-branch replacement for eligible lost or damaged cards
• Cell phone coverage: Cell phone replacement insurance when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card
• Rental coverage: Auto rental collision damage coverage for eligible rentals
• Travel coverage: Travel accident insurance with $250,000 coverage when you pay your fare with the card
• Card network: Visa

Crimson Rewards VISA® Credit Card

A rewards credit card that earns points on every purchase, with higher earning in select categories including gas, travel, restaurants, groceries, and University of Utah purchases.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: Not offered
• Rewards: 5x UofU Campus Store and UofU tuition, 4x gas stations, 3x warehouse stores and qualifying travel, 2x restaurants and grocery stores, 1x on everything else (points expire after 60 months)
• Other perks: Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and cash back

Student Rewards VISA® Credit Card

A student-focused rewards credit card that uses the same rewards structure as Crimson Rewards.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: Not offered
• Rewards: 5x UofU Campus Store and UofU tuition, 4x gas stations, 3x warehouse stores and qualifying travel, 2x restaurants and grocery stores, 1x on everything else
• Other perks: Credit limits up to $4,000

Crimson VISA® Credit Card

A straightforward Visa credit card option built for simple everyday use without rewards points.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: Not offered
• Rewards: None
• Other perks: Stable-rate messaging and simple terms

Secured VISA® Credit Card

A secured Visa credit card designed to help build or rebuild credit.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: Not offered
• Rewards: None
• Other perks: Secured at 125% of the credit line

Canyon View Credit Union Loans

Auto Loans

Auto loans are designed for financing new and used vehicle purchases, with options that can also support refinancing.

Recreational Vehicle (RV) Loans

RV loans cover financing for motorhomes and other recreational vehicles, built for larger purchases than a typical car loan.

Boat Loans

Boat loans provide financing for boats and watercraft, with structured terms and predictable monthly payments.

Signature Loans

Signature loans are unsecured personal loans that can be used for flexible needs like debt consolidation, repairs, medical costs, or other major expenses.

e-Cash Instant Loans

e-Cash instant loans are small-dollar loans for quick access to funds, with amounts from $200–$2,000 and a $20 application fee.

Student Lending

Student lending supports higher-education costs and is offered through LendKey.

Savings-Secured Loans

Savings-secured loans are backed by your savings or a certificate balance, often used for lower-risk borrowing and credit building.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Loans

IVF loans are designed to finance fertility treatment costs by spreading a large expense into monthly payments.

Overdraft Line of Credit

An overdraft line of credit helps cover transactions when a checking account drops below $0, acting as overdraft protection.

Mortgages

First-Time Homebuyer Loans

Mortgage options designed to help first-time buyers navigate the homebuying process and finance a primary residence.

Home Refinancing

Refinance options that can be used to adjust your loan terms, lower monthly payments, or change how your mortgage is structured.

Construction Loans

Financing for building a new home, typically structured to cover the build and transition into longer-term financing.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs)

Mortgage options that start with a lower introductory rate and can adjust over time based on the loan terms.

Condo Loans

Financing options for condominium properties, designed to account for condo-specific approval requirements.

Short-Term Mortgages

Shorter-term mortgage options that help pay off a home faster compared to a traditional long-term mortgage.

Jumbo Loans

Higher-balance mortgages for loan amounts that exceed conventional conforming limits.

FHA Loans

Government-backed mortgage options built for accessibility, often used by buyers with smaller down payments.

VA Loans

Mortgage options for eligible veterans, service members, and qualifying military families.

Second Mortgage

A loan option that allows you to borrow against the equity you have built in your home.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A revolving line of credit that uses home equity, often used for flexible borrowing over time.

Reverse Mortgages

A mortgage option for older homeowners designed to convert home equity into available cash under specific eligibility rules.

Who Can Join Canyon View Credit Union?

You may be eligible for membership if you meet 1 of the options below:

1: Residency, Work, School, Worship, or Volunteering
You live, work, study, worship, or volunteer in Salt Lake, Davis, Summit, Tooele, Wasatch, or Utah County.

2: Family Membership
You have an immediate family member who is already a member of Canyon View Credit Union. Immediate family members include:

• Spouse
• Child
• Sibling
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Stepparents
• Stepchildren
• Stepsiblings
• Adoptive relationships

For the most current membership details, check Canyon View’s membership information or contact customer service by phone or at a branch.

Conclusion

Canyon View Credit Union was founded in 1956 by a group of University of Utah professors under the name University Federal Credit Union, originally created to serve Utah’s university community. Over time, it expanded beyond those roots as its membership base grew across the Wasatch Front.

In 2004, it broadened its field of membership to include people who live, work, study, worship, or volunteer in Salt Lake County, plus immediate family members. In 2020, it expanded its field of membership again to include Davis, Utah, Wasatch, Summit, and Tooele counties. In July 2022, it adopted the name UFirst Credit Union to reflect wider accessibility and a member-first focus. After a period of public confusion and litigation involving Utah First Credit Union, it rebranded again in 2025 as Canyon View Credit Union to better distinguish the credit union as it continued growing across Utah.

Today, Canyon View serves 100,000+ members through 20+ branches and offers a full range of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, certificate accounts, mortgages, personal and auto loans, and credit cards for individuals and businesses.

Disclaimer:
This page is not affiliated with, maintained by, or sponsored by Canyon View Credit Union. The information provided in this overview may be outdated or inaccurate after the publication date. UtahFi does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the content. The logo is a registered trademark of Canyon View Credit Union.