CEFCU
Is This Your Business?1.8
1.8
Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: October 13th, 2024
Citizens Equity First Credit Union (CEFCU) was founded in 1937 to serve employees of Caterpillar. This was during the Great Depression, at that time it was difficult for many people to get affordable loans, that is when a small group of Caterpillar employees formed the Credit Union during their lunch hour by pooling together what little money they had in a cigar box. This money was used to make affordable loans to Credit Union members — with one member's savings used to help another member who needed a loan. CEFCU carries on the Credit Union tradition of “members helping members” still today. Currently, CEFCU has expanded and grown to serve members primarily located in the state of Illinois in 14 counties and three counties in California located around the Bay Area. Their membership is open to those who currently work or have retired from Caterpillar along with 500 other partner companies.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Credit cards
Checking Accounts
They currently offer two kinds of checking accounts. A free checking account and a dividend checking account, both accounts have many of the same perks such as both are free, 24/7 account access through Touch-Tone Teller, Money Center 24, CEFCU online internet banking, or mobile banking. They also offer low-cost overdraft protection options and access to CEFCU Bill Pay. The free checking account only requires a $5 minimum balance to open.Savings Accounts
A CEFCU basic savings account has an average rate of .15% APY. This is low compared to other credit unions. They do offer other savings plans and certificates that can get you better rates on your returns. A CEFCU Savings Certificate also has a better rate with it as well. A 12-month certificate in any amount up to $1000 will earn more and the increase in rate is if you deposit your money for 18 months or more which will increase it even more.Credit Cards
In addition to the various accounts, they offer their members, they also offer three different kinds of credit cards each with its own benefit so their members can choose what will be the best for their financial needs. The following are the card options and the benefits of that card:- MasterCard: Fuel Rewards with travel benefits
- MasterCard Rewards: Members can earn points to cash in for gift cards, travel, etc.
- MasterCard World: This card offers everything the first 2 cards have plus earns bonus points.
The Bad
- Membership fee
- Checking account
Membership Fee
When you open an account with Citizens Equity First Credit Union be aware, they do have a one-time membership fee of only $1, but still, most credit unions are typically free from any kind of membership fee and there may be hidden fees on other accounts. CEFCU isn't completely transparent about their fee schedule as it is not available to view online and you must go into a branch to inquire about any fees.Checking Account
CEFCU free checking does not offer a dividend. A member must open a CEFCU dividend checking account that requires a $2,500 minimum daily balance and $2,500 to open. Checking account dividends are tiered starting at $2,500 minimum balance, $5000, and $10,000. Unless you open an Insured Money Market account the rate will not increase, and the Insured Money Market Account requires the same amount of money for a deposit but looks like it might cost something or have higher fees.The Bottom Line
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Raph H
We love CEFCU, they provide great service with most fees most banks charge…
It’s easy to reach their customer service, and all the agents I’ve talked to on the phone were located locally in central IL.
1 month ago
Tina Adams
The worst gift card service ever! Do NOT buy a gift card from this establishment. The company they outsource to has a $5 inactivity fee per month after the first year. We were a covid wedding couple who had our wedding cancelled, then to finally get married 2 years later and wait for our new home to be built. We were saving our gift cards for our new home. When we went to use them, some had no balance and the others were down a few hundred dollars. That should be disclosed when buying the gift cards from the bank. The gift card service employees are rude and extremely difficult to deal with. NEVER buy any gift cards from this credit union.
8 months ago
lori Pekin, IL
I programed a ACH to happen and I forgot the 01 in front of the account number of one of our residents (BUT I wonder why the 01 is not with the account # it is off by itself), and they charged the resident $10 because they had to look the account number up. I couldn't believe it and they would not reverse the charges even though this was not her fault and it was the first time I had made that mistake since they made the account numbers 10 digits instead of the 8 digits. The lady in the ACH dept of CEFCU needs a new job because she should not be working with the public!!!!! After I gave this review a very nice lady from CEFCU called me and apologized for the previous employees response. Stephanie was more than willing to reverse the charges because it was a unintentional mistake on my part. Thank you Stephanie
6 years ago
De C The Villages, FL
Reading these previous reviews come of no surprise. Our family were with 70 years and myself 50 years with CEFCU. We recently left. It started with the Fiduciary Dept. We didn’t expect any condolences, simply some caring would have been nice. We were actually told “you can close out your accounts and go elsewhere. Yes, this recorded call was & a supervisor called back. On a brighter note, Corvus, Christina and Michael were all kind to clean up issues. Just a note to all: Wells Fargo has wonderful newcomer sign on bonuses. Looking forward to those.
1 year ago
Jess Cooley St Louis, MO
I have never been treated so poorly by a company in my entire life. I wish we would have never started the home loan process with this company. I would highly advise I individuals to look else where. We have attempted to reach management and have not received calls back. The customer service individuals are extremely rude and not helpful.
1 year ago
