I couldn't wait to get The Aggie Card...the new Visa credit card issued by USU Credit Union, which operates as a division of Goldenwest. I'm proud to say The Aggie Card is in my wallet and used to make purchases on a daily basis.

It's been an eventful 18 months since Goldenwest and USU Credit Unions merged. Without question, one of the most exciting product developments resulting from the merger is a co-branded Visa credit card with Utah State University. A percentage of all proceeds from The Aggie Card are donated to the Utah State University Alumni Association for student scholarships and other Alumni programs.

While it's nice to give back to the USU Alumni Association with every purchase, you can feel great about the benefits you'll receive from The Aggie Card. Rates begin as low as 7.99% APR with no annual fee and no balance transfer fees. Our lucrative Rewards program allows you to earn ExtraAwards points quickly, with a hassle-free redemption process. By mid-April, The Aggie Card can be used for purchases through Apple Pay. Perhaps best of all, you can choose from two exclusive card designs...the Block "A" or the "U-State" logo. Go Aggies!

Did you know we can issue Visa cards in all of our branches? Gone are the days where you apply for a credit card and then wait for 7-10 business days for it to arrive in the mail. If you want The Aggie Card, it can be in your wallet within a matter of minutes after walking into any of our 26 Goldenwest or USU Credit Union branches. Or, apply online at gwcu.org and usucu.org.

I earned an MBA from Utah State University in 1982, and proudly number myself among the USU Alumni. My car has the iconic Aggie "A" license plate, which is another fantastic program that benefits the USU Alumni Association. If you're an Aggie who enjoys a round of golf, consider joining us at the Annual USU Alumni Golf Tournament on August 31st at the Ogden Golf & Country Club. All proceeds from this top-notch event are allocated for student scholarships and other Alumni programs.

We truly appreciate our association with Utah State University. In the near future, USU Credit Union will return to its on-campus roots by re-establishing a branch not far from our original home at Old Main. The branch will be included in a new Welcome Center, and will allow us to better serve on-campus faculty, staff and students.

On a different note, I extend my congratulations to our employee of the month, BreeAnn Motta. BreeAnn is the assistant manager at our Clinton office, and does an amazing job taking care of our members on the west side of Davis County. Finally, I invite you to join me at our Annual Meeting on April 14th at our Corporate Office, and learn more about the benefits of your credit union membership. For the latest credit union news, follow me on Twitter at @GoldenwestCU.