{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-14/america-first-credit-union-missy-key-ceo","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-14/america-first-credit-union-missy-key-ceo.md","title":"America First Credit Union Names Missy Key CEO","headline":"Missy Key to Succeed Thayne Shaffer as America First Credit Union CEO in 2027","description":"Missy Key will become America First Credit Union's sixth president and CEO on March 1, 2027, succeeding Thayne Shaffer, who retires after 38 years.","section":"Leadership","published_at":"2026-10-14T23:02:16+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-14T23:02:16+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Missy Key was named president and CEO of America First Credit Union effective March 1, 2027, succeeding Thayne Shaffer.","Key, previously executive vice president and chief financial officer, has 38 years of service at the credit union.","Shaffer became president and CEO in 2021 and will retire after 38 years; the credit union reported nearly 1.7 million members."],"companies":[{"name":"America First Credit Union","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006kob/america-first-credit-union","website":"http://www.americafirst.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire","title":"Missy Key announced as next President and CEO of America First Credit Union","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/missy-key-announced-as-next-president-and-ceo-of-america-first-credit-union-302909201.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Leadership","America First Credit Union"],"body_markdown":"Missy Key has been selected as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of [America First Credit Union](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006kob/america-first-credit-union), effective March 1, 2027, the credit union's board announced on October 14, 2026. Key, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer, will succeed Thayne Shaffer, who plans to retire after 38 years of service, according to [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/missy-key-announced-as-next-president-and-ceo-of-america-first-credit-union-302909201.html).\n\n## Key's Path From CFO to America First CEO\n\nKey's 38 years at America First include progressive leadership roles in accounting and finance, most recently as executive vice president and chief financial officer. As CFO, the company said, she helped strengthen the credit union's financial position and worked with the executive leadership team on its strategic direction. She will become the sixth President and CEO in America First's history.\n\n\"Missy is a strong, insightful and decisive executive who leads with vision and compassion,\" said Linda Carver, Chair of America First's Board of Directors. \"Her 38 years of service at America First have prepared her well for this moment, and our members, employees and community partners are in good hands.\"\n\nShaffer became President and CEO in 2021. During his almost six-year tenure, America First recorded asset and membership growth, completed three mergers and acquisitions, and launched a new digital banking system, the company said. \"America First has tremendous momentum, and Missy will carry forward that legacy of service and success,\" Shaffer said.\n\n## America First's Growth Under Shaffer\n\nKey's appointment follows a year in which America First completed mergers with Meadows Bank and Greater Nevada Credit Union and grew to nearly 1.7 million members, the company said. \"I am honored and excited by this opportunity,\" Key said. \"I look forward to working with our Board and talented teams to continue building on our foundational values of serving members and strengthening the communities we serve.\"\n\n## America First's Scale After the Meadows Bank Deal\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), America First completed its acquisition of substantially all assets and liabilities of Meadows Bank on May 31, 2026, creating a combined institution with approximately $26.4 billion in total assets, $22.8 billion in deposits and 122 locations. The same records list a total member count of 1.5 million as of April 2026.\n\n## Branch Openings Before the CEO Transition\n\nAmerica First opened its newest Southern California branch in Highland, California, on July 13, 2026, expanding access for members in the Inland Empire, PR Newswire reported. The credit union officially opened a branch at 5084 N. 83rd Avenue in Glendale, Arizona, on July 29, 2026, its fourth new Arizona location in the past year, according to PR Newswire. On October 1, 2026, America First and the Vegas Golden Knights launched a co-branded Visa debit card ahead of the team's 10th anniversary season, PR Newswire reported.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}