Serving Members Since 1955
Our Story & History
In the summer of 1955, seventy people pooled $697 and started a credit union out of a desk drawer. Seventy years later, that cooperative serves more than 85,000 members across 13 branches from Logan to St. George. What hasn't changed is why we exist. We were built by members, for members — and every decision since has come back to that.
How It All Began
In the early 1950s, employees in the Church Offices needed a better way to save and borrow. Salaries were modest, and the options available to them weren't built for people like them. The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked Keith Carroll to find a solution.
On July 28, 1955, seventy of those employees founded the LDS Church Office Credit Union. They elected five of their own coworkers to serve as the first board of directors: Henry Tempest, Fern Dunn, LaRue Sneff, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Keith Carroll.
The first office was a room in the Church Administration Building, open from 12:00 to 12:30 — or by appointment. Keith Carroll ran the entire credit union out of his desk drawer, about half an hour at a time, a few times a week.
The first month closed with 71 members, $697 in savings, and $200 in loans. By the end of the year, 196 people had joined.
Expanding to Serve More Members
Growth meant outgrowing the desk drawer. The credit union expanded onto the second floor of the Church Office Building, and in December 1974 opened its first branch on North Temple — dedicated by Spencer W. Kimball and Gordon B. Hinckley.
That same year, after merging with other Church departments and select companies, we became the LDS Church Employees Credit Union, and eligibility opened to any employee of the Church. We still serve many of those original companies today.
In 1984, a new logo replaced the old one: two seagulls in flight over a globe. The globe pointed toward a wider field of membership. The seagulls carried the community's pioneer heritage of faith and industry — and represented the member and the credit union, flying in the same direction. That year, membership opened to all members of the Church.
Two years later, in 1986, the name changed one last time. We became Deseret First Credit Union.
Building for What's Next
By 2006, membership had passed 50,000 and staff moved into a dedicated Operations Center. In 2018, we completed a new home: a three-story, 60,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and operations center on six acres in West Valley City, built for the technology demands of the decades ahead.
In 2019 we refreshed the brand, modernizing the logo without abandoning its legacy, and introduced the idea that still guides us: You Know Why. We Show How. You're driven by your own purpose. Our job is to show you the financial path to it.
The years since have brought steady growth. We crossed $1 billion in assets in 2023, opened our 13th branch in West Point that same year, and now serve more than 85,000 member-owners.
Milestones That Shaped Us
Throughout our history, key moments have marked our progress and strengthened our cooperative.
The Founding Years
1955
Seventy Church Office employees founded the LDS Church Office Credit Union on July 28. First month: 71 members and $697 in savings.
1965
The credit union purchased its first accounting machine. Until then, every record was kept by hand.
1974
The North Temple Branch opened in December, dedicated by Spencer W. Kimball and Gordon B. Hinckley. The name changed to LDS Church Employees Credit Union and eligibility widened to all Church employees.
Becoming Deseret First
1984
The seagull-and-globe logo was adopted, and the field of membership opened to all members of the Church.
1986
The name officially became Deseret First Credit Union.
1991
Keith Carroll retired after 36 years. Kris Mecham became CEO.
2006
Membership passed 50,000 and staff moved into a dedicated Operations Center.
2007
The Deseret First Duel launched with BYU and the University of Utah — a 12-sport rivalry series with a granite traveling trophy and athletic scholarship funds for the winners.
2010
Clint Gurney became President and CEO.
2012
Shane London became President and CEO.
Growth and Recognition
2015
We celebrated our 60th anniversary — and earned national recognition as one of American Banker's Best Credit Unions to Work For, an honor we've held every year since.
2016
The Deseret First Charitable Foundation was established to support missionaries before and after their service. First year of Salt Lake Tribune Utah Top Workplaces recognition, received every year since.
2018
Completed our new headquarters and operations center in West Valley City.
2019
Refreshed our brand and introduced "You Know Why, We Show How."
The Modern Era
2021
Named a national Top Workplace by USA TODAY — recognition we've held every year since.
2023
Crossed $1 billion in total assets. Opened our 13th branch in West Point. Brought card controls into the mobile app, added student loans through Sallie Mae, and were named by Newsweek one of America's Best Regional Credit Unions — one of only 250 nationwide.
2024
Membership grew 6% to 81,705. Newsweek named us one of America's Best Credit Unions to Work For.
2025
Our 70th anniversary — celebrated at every branch on July 28, seventy years to the day.
Each milestone reflects the same principle: growth without losing sight of who we serve.
Leadership Through the Years
Our progress has been guided by leaders committed to cooperative values and member service.
Keith Carroll
Founding President & CEO, 1955–1991
Kris Mecham
President & CEO, 1991–2010
Clint Gurney
President & CEO, 2010–2012
Shane London
President & CEO since 2012-present
Our board has always been made up of elected, unpaid member volunteers — the same structure those five founders established in 1955.
Your Financial Partner With a Rich Heritage
For over 70 years, Deseret First has served with purpose: helping families plan, grow, and thrive. Today, with a full range of personal, business, and community banking services, we continue that mission with the same dedication that defined us at the very beginning.
Become a Member
Become a Member
Join the cooperative that puts members first.
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Call Us
Call Us
Speak with our team weekdays 8 am–6 pm and Saturdays 9 am–2 pm.
801-456-7590