Who We Are

Who We Are
AAA Fair Credit Foundation (FCF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-service agency that provides confidential budget counseling, money management educationdebt management programs, bankruptcy counseling and education, housing counseling, and individual development accounts. FCF employs a talented and dedicated team of professionals, passionate in the cause of providing consumers with personal money management tools and resources that enable them to take control of their finances.

Credentials & Awards
AAA Fair Credit Foundation is consistently recognized by the media and industry groups as a leader in the credit counseling and asset-building industry. To ensure our services meet certain industry standards, FCF underwent the first in a series of exacting audits by an accredited third-party agency, BSI Americas, who is the world's leading expert on international standards, testing, registration and certification. FCF earned an immediate recommendation for ISO 9001:2000 Certification. That certification became official on August 8, 2001, but the hard-earned registry is only the first success in a campaign of continuous improvement, which is the keystone of ISO approval. ISO Surveillance audits are conducted semi-annually.

Financial audits are also conducted by independent Certified Public Accountants annually in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures on the company financial statements.

Our financial counselors are certified through a nationally recognized independent third party certification program and are required to maintain such designation through continuing education. We are an accredited business in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. In June 2004, FCF was the recipient of the Best of State award in the Financial Planning Services category for outstanding achievement. FCF is a United Way of Salt Lake Community Partner and the recipient of the 2006 prestigious President's Award from United Way of Salt Lake. In September 2008 was selected as a winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, one of sixteen honorees in the greater Salt Lake City area.

Financial Empowerment Education
We design, develop and deliver effective and engaging financial education. FCF accomplishes its mission by working with organizations to incorporate financial education into their existing infrastructure. We also provide direct delivery of financial counseling and education to the general public. We strive to generate enthusiasm for life-long financial education skills and behaviors among its clients and the general public through its direct delivery of services and its social marketing efforts.

All of our programs are funded by a combination of grants, service fees, individual donations and corporate support.

Community Outreach
AAA Fair Credit Foundation believes the involvement and commitment of its employees can help revitalize communities. Our employees are encouraged to take an active role in their communities and support local campaigns and initiatives including: United Way, Utah Saves, Asset-Building Programs, VITA/EITC Outreach, BizWorld, Junior Achievement, Jump$tart, Freddie Mac - Don't Borrow Trouble, Get Checking, Reality Town, Annual Blood Drive, Sub-for-Santa and various Financial Literacy awareness programs.

Strategic Initiatives

Proven Results
Over 90% of clients that complete our debt management program never need our services again. In addition, the counseling techniques used by our organization have been found, according to a 2002 Georgetown University study to “positively affect the credit use and payment behavior of people counseled."

Our clients have direct, live access to Certified Counselors to assist them. Our Counselors understand the importance of resolving concerns in a timely and efficient manner. We are in business to help people enjoy end-result benefits in order to enjoy life as much as possible.

Corporate Governance
Management and Directors of AAA Fair Credit Foundation recognize the importance of sound and effective corporate governance. Our guidelines together with the charters of our organization are key elements of the structure by which the organization is governed.

Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct provides the framework for maintaining the highest possible standards of professional conduct. The Code is a statement of the values and ethical standards to which the Organization requires its employees and directors to adhere.

Employees and directors are expected to apply the principles of the Code of Conduct in all of their dealings with the Organization, to ensure their actions are in the overall best interests of the Organization and to assist management in its efforts to ensure that the Code of Conduct is being followed.

In all of the decisions we make and actions we take on behalf of the Organization, we are committed to adherence to the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior and to compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.

Every possible situation cannot be anticipated in the Code of Conduct. If an employee or a director is uncertain about any aspect of the Code of Conduct and how it should be applied or interpreted, he or she is encouraged to discuss it with his or her Division Head, the Chief Compliance Officer, or the General Counsel. An employee or director who compromises or violates the law and any employee who violates Company policies relating to the conduct of its business or the high ethical standards contained in the Code of Conduct and related policy and procedures is subject to corrective action, up to and including dismissal from employment or directorship, and, in some cases, may also be subject to criminal or civil proceedings under applicable laws.

All employees and directors are strongly encouraged to assist management in its efforts to ensure the Code of Conduct is followed by all employees, colleagues, staff members, superiors, and directors. If an employee or a director observes or suspects a breach of the Code of Conduct or any law, regulation, or other Company policy by another employee or director in connection with that other employee's or director's conducting business for the Company, then the employee or director observing or suspecting that breach must report such observations or suspicions and must describe their circumstances to management by memo, phone call or email. Such reports are treated as confidential to the extent consistent with appropriate investigation. Senior management will investigate matters reported and determine if remedial actions and/or notification to regulators or law enforcement is appropriate. Retaliation of any kind against any employee or director who makes a good faith report of an observed or suspected violation of the Code of Conduct or any law, regulation, or Company policy is prohibited.

The Code of Conduct is written within the Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures and Managers must review the Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures annually with their staff members. The Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures is also included in the materials given to new employees by the Human Resources Division. All officers and all other employees in supervisory, managerial, or other sensitive positions are required to certify that they have read, understand, and comply with the Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures. Managers must review the Questionnaire and Affiliation Record responses of employees on their staff and determine if they are satisfactory or if they require further review by more senior managers.

The Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures are documents that are revised periodically by a management team to ensure that they address new statutes and contemporary issues, as appropriate. Material changes to the Code of Conduct will be disclosed. Waivers of the Code of Conduct for executive officers and directors of the Company will be made only by the Board or a Board committee and will be disclosed.

Guidelines
The business and affairs of AAA Fair Credit Foundation (the “Company”) are subject to the general oversight and authority of the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The board has adopted these guidelines together with its Certificate of Incorporation, Mission and Bylaws and these guidelines provide the authority and practices for governance of AAA Fair Credit Foundation.

Board of Director Selection and Board Composition
In selecting new Directors, consideration is given to each individual Director's personal qualities and abilities, the collective Board members' skills and aptitudes for conducting oversight of the Company and its management, and duties imposed by law and regulation. Important factors include:

• Each Director must, as determined by the Board, be qualified to perform duties of a Director as evidenced by the Director's experience, accomplishments, education, skills, and integrity;
• Directors must be persons possessing the highest personal values and integrity;
• Directors must be able to perform their duties in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, without conflicts of interest;
• The majority of Directors will be independent in accordance with the Standards for Determining Independence of Directors as adopted by the Board and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• Collectively, Board members will bring to the Company a broad range of complementary skills, expertise, industry and regulatory knowledge, and diversity of perspectives to build a capable, responsive, and effective Board; and
• Directors will have experience in policy-making levels of business, government, or not-for-profit enterprises and must have an aptitude for evaluating business matters and making practical and mature judgments.

Director Duties and Responsibilities
Directors are nominated and elected by the Board, and its primary responsibility is to oversee the management of the Company to ensure the interests of the Company and its clients are served. Directors will provide guidance to management and exercise their business judgment in what they believe to be the best interests of the Company and clients. Directors will perform their duties in good faith and the degree of care with which an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.

• Directors must comply with the Code of Conduct of the Company.
• Directors will ensure that a process is in place for a non-management director to consider concerns raised to them by clients and employees. Clients or employees who have a concern about the Company's conduct or about the Company's accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters may communicate that concern by writing to the Board of Directors to the address noted on the Company's website
• Directors' duties and responsibilities include, through their oversight and direction of management of the Company:
• Reviewing the Company's business strategies and financial performance;
• Selecting, evaluating, and determining the compensation of the Executive Director and reviewing management succession plans and the selection, evaluation, compensation, and development of other key managers;
• Reviewing key risks in the Company's businesses, supervising the Company's management of those risks and ensuring the adequacy of the Company's risk management programs;
• Reviewing and approving major transactions;
• Ensuring processes are in place for promoting integrity in the conduct of management and other employees;
• Ensuring processes are in place for mandating integrity in financial reporting;
• Ensuring processes are in place for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; and
• Ensuring processes are in place for protecting the assets of the Company, including its property and its reputation.

Director Compensation
Directors will not be paid any compensation or bonus for their services rendered (“Director’s Fees”). Directors will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with serving as a Director.

Management Succession
Management will provide periodic reviews of management succession plans, including criteria for Executive officer selection and emergency planning to the Board.

Professional Memberships
FCF is an active participant on key industry committees, national advisory boards and organizations. Our involvement keeps us abreast of market and industry issues, providing guidance in the ongoing development of our programs and services. By taking an active role in industry groups, we help develop strategic recommendations and solutions that benefit our community and clients.

Creditor Relationships to Secure Benefits for our Clients
We work with many different types of creditors to obtain benefits and concessions such as a reduction in interest rates and elimination of late fees. Our customers often comment on the huge feeling of relief they experience when the collection calls stop and they realize they can depend on us to work with their creditors going forward.

IRS Form 990 & Audited Financial Statement
Our IRS Form 990 Report and Audited Financial Statements are available to the public upon request free of charge (or available on www.guidestar.org).

Advanced Technology
FCF utilizes electronic creditor proposals, electronic funds transfer payments, online bill-pay, balance verifications and plan closure notices. This provides timely, efficient, customer-focused services, and a cost savings for creditors.

Our Vision and Values
Our Vision and Values guide is in creating an environment where our clients’ expectations and our shared enduring values drive the decisions and behavior of the entire organization.

OUR VALUES

These values are the core of the AAA Fair Credit Foundation brand.

• Integrity
  We practice the highest standard or personal and corporate ethics in all our interactions, continually strengthening our heritage of building relationships of trust through honesty, trustworthiness and reliability.
• Respect
  We respect the unique contributions of every employee, valuing the diversity of their experiences, ideas and initiatives. We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn and contribute to the company in a way that enriches both their personal and professional development.
• Personal Responsibility
  We believe that it is our personal responsibility to grow and create value for AAA Fair Credit Foundation. As a result, we each tale ownership for and pride in enhancing the company’s performance and reputation among clients, shareholders and the communities we serve.
• Teamwork
  We become stronger as an organization through teamwork with our associates from all of our business areas. We support and reward innovative thinking and collaboration that achieves our mutual goal of building a successful company.
• Excellence
  We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and performance. We measure success by our ability to anticipate, create and implement inventive solutions that help our clients achieve their objectives.