FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
America’s First Federal Credit Union Named Official Financing Provider of the
Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series

Decatur, Ala. (December 21, 2017) – The Alabama Bass Trail is pleased to announce that America’s First Federal Credit Union has been named a premier sponsor of the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series (ABTTS) in 2018. The Alabama-based credit union has over 145,000 members and 19 branch locations.

As the official financing provider of the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series, America’s First Federal Credit Union will offer qualifying anglers excellent rates on boat and automobile loans and a bonus program that rewards anglers for financing through the credit union. At each Alabama Bass Trail tournament, America’s First Federal Credit Union will pay a bonus to the highest finisher that has financed their boat through the credit union. Teams must have the credit unions logo proudly displayed on their boat and be registered in advance with the Alabama Bass Trail staff.

Also as part of the agreement, America’s First Federal Credit Union will receive advertising spots on the Alabama Bass Trail television series and the live streaming of each event, online advertising on the AlabamaBassTrail.org website, social media outlets and onsite at events.

“We are thrilled to partner with such a fantastic event. We’re proud to support this series that showcases our gorgeous lakes in Alabama and the men and women who are part of this sport. The Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series is a spectacular series, and we look forward to what we can do to help strengthen this sport that helps those individuals who participate and assists in the economic growth this series brings to our communities,” said Phil Boozer, Senior Vice President/Chief Sales Officer with America’s First.

America’s First Federal Credit Union has a strong history in the state of Alabama. It was originally founded in 1936 at U.S. Steel’s Ensley Works in Birmingham to provide financial services to under-served individuals. America’s First is a community-chartered credit union with 19 branch locations that serve in eight counties within Alabama. With more than 145,000 members, America’s First is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation and is always committed to providing cost-effective financial services.

“I am really excited about the partnership with America’s First Credit Union because this is a partnership that is a win, win, win situation,” said Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson. Certainly a win for the trail to be partnered with a reputable Alabama-based financial institution, a win for the anglers who will qualify for lower rates on boats and vehicles along with a great contingency program and a win for America’s First Federal Credit Union by expanding their brand awareness to a loyal audience in the marine/fishing industry. This is a partnership I have hoped for since we started the tournament series and thankfully we were able to make the right connections and find the right fit for both the trail and America’s First Federal Credit Union.

Returning for the fifth season, the ABTTS will be held on eleven of the lakes of the Alabama Bass Trail beginning February 17, 2018, with the championship tournament to be held on October 26-27, 2018.

North Division:
Pickwick Lake February 17, 2018 hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism
Lake Guntersville March 10, 2018 hosted by Marshall County CVB
Wheeler Lake April 21, 2018 hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism
Weiss Lake May 12, 2018 hosted by Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
Logan Martin Lake June 9, 2018 hosted by Pell City Chamber of Commerce

South Division:
Lay Lake February 24, 2018 hosted by Shelby County Commission
Lake Martin March 24, 2018 hosted by Alexander City Chamber of Commerce
Lake Eufaula April 7, 2018 hosted by Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce
Lake Jordan May 5, 2018 hosted by Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce
Alabama River/Cooter’s Pond June 23, 2018 hosted by City of Prattville Parks and Recreation

Championship:
Neely Henry Lake October 26-27, 2018 hosted by Gadsden Parks and Recreation Department

The new Open Tournament makes its debut September 8, 2018, on Smith Lake. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County, the one-day tournament allows teams to compete in a single tournament instead of the tournament series, which has a five-weekend commitment. It has a $15,000 guaranteed first place prize and a total cash payout of over $70,000. The maximum number of boats is 250 in the amateur division and 25 in the professional division. The professional division will consist of one FLW or Bassmaster Elite Series Pro and one amateur who will be vying for a winner take-all $7,500 cash prize. The entry fee is $300 per team. Registration opens January 22, 2018.

For more information on the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series or Open Tournament, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org or call Program Director Kay Donaldson at 855.9FISHAL.

About Alabama Bass Trail
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.