Fast CEFCU Online Banking Help
CEFCU Intro & History
Citizens Equity First Credit Union or CEFCU is a credit union that originated in Peoria, Illinois in 1937. Its original goal was to serve as a credit union for the local Caterpillar Tractor Company, which was headquartered there at the time. In fact, CEFCU once stood for “Caterpillar Employees Federal Credit Union” until it changed its name.
CEFCU is centered mostly in and around the Peoria area and across the state of Illinois. However, a few branches have opened up in different regions of California. For example, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Alameda counties all have chapters of this credit union. These branches opened up mostly to serve workers of Caterpillar and those otherwise associated with the company when it moved many of its operations to the west coast.
And while CEFSCU is still heavily associated with Caterpillar, anyone who lives in associated counties can join. That said, any person who works for one of the nearly 550 companies that make up Caterpillar is also eligible to participate. As a result, membership in this bank is somewhat limited while remaining surprisingly large.
CEFCU Branch Hours and Location
- Branch Hours and Location
- Customer Service Number – 1 (800) 542-3328
- Routing Number – 271183701
- Swift Number – CHASUS33
- CEFCU Homepage
Wiring Money With CEFCU
Wiring money with CEFCU requires knowing the address of the bank to which you want to send the money. For example, you can have money wired to you at the address 5401 W. Dirksen Parkway
Peoria, IL 61607 if you want it to go to the global headquarters of the bank. Once the money arrives, the bank members will make sure it gets deposited.
You’ll also need information such as your name, your address, your account number, and the routing number of CEFCU. That number is 271183701. If you are transferring money from CEFCU, you need to get the money from the person’s financial institution, their personal information, their account number, routing number and more. You can then complete a paper form and sign it to send the money. There is no online money wiring service offered by CEFCU at this time, so this must be done at a branch location.
It is also possible to send money overseas from CEFCU and to receive it from overseas individuals. International bank wires require the Swift code of CHASUS33 and the name of the person who is sending you the money. The information you need for these transfers is typically indicated on an international money transfer form, but make sure you have it ready before you go to the bank to fill it out.
The CEFCU Enrollment Process
CEFCU has an online portal where you can track your savings and checking accounts. It is effortless to sign up for this website and to log in to it to track your finances. First, start by going to this site to begin the process. Once here, you will need to provide your primary account number, your social security number, your date of birth, and a unique login identity that will ensure that only you can access your account.
A good login name should be unique and be easy to remember while being hard to guess. For example, it should never be just your first name your last name, like John Doe. However, you can change this information around to make it harder to guess. For example, Jdough is a name that sounds like John Doe but which is not the same. You can then add numbers, such as Jdough473 to make it even harder to guess.
After you create this information, you’ll be asked to provide a password. Like when you are building your profile identification name, you should try to find something that is both unique and easy for you to remember. Try to avoid a password you use all the time by tweaking it in subtle ways.
For example, if you use the password “rememberme” for other sites, you can tweak it by adding uppercase letters and numbers, such as “RememberMe3158.” And if you forget your password or login information, you can reset it using the e-mail associated with your account.
Logging on Your Account
Once you have created your online account for CEFCU, it is very easy to log in and track your finances. Simply click on the “Login” window on the left side of the home page and enter your username. After adding in the proper name, the window will ask you for your password. Enter the password to enter the portal and tweak your checking and savings accounts.
Just make sure that you don’t make too many errors when attempting to log in to your online portal. CEFCU’s security programs track each failed attempt. If the program notices an unusually large amount of effort, it will block the account from access even if you provide the right password and username.
Thankfully, you can reset this situation by getting a security code sent to your phone or e-mail. This code is a one-time use password that works for only a short period. After you copy and past it into the reset field, your account should be opened up again. If this doesn’t work, you can contact customer service to get help.
CEFCU Contact Information
- Member Contact Center – 309.633.7048 or 800.542.3328
- Electronic Services – 309.633.7030 or 800.542.3328, ext. 37030
- Questions and Scheduling an Application Appointment – 309.633.3424 or 800.542.3328, ext. 33424
- Telephone Typewriter for the Hearing Impaired – 309.633.3770 or 800.542.3328, ext. 33770
- Automated Deposits – 309.633.7048 or 800.542.3328, ext. 37048
- Phone-A-Loan – 309.633.3400 or 800.858.3400
- Dealer Phone-A-Loan – 800.447.2470
- Debit Card – 309.633.7000 or 800.542.3328
- Credit Card – 309.633.3763 or 800.542.3328, ext. 33763
How to Use the Branch Locator
The branch locator for CEFCU allows you to identify nearby ATM machines and banks where you can do your business. Like other banking websites, it operates using Google Maps to identify businesses based on your location. However, it doesn’t automatically track your location information when you enter, meaning you must manually add it.
Do this by inputting the zip code or the city name and state where you want to look for a branch. After a moment, the search window will locate CEFCU branches near where you are searching. It will list all of these locations based on their proximity to you. Choose one to open up a window that reveals more about that particular branch.
For example, you can find their contact information and business hours here. However, you can also set up an appointment with some branches and learn about their services. Some might provide unique actions that you can’t get at other locations. Make sure that you look through all of your options before choosing the branch that is right for your needs.
Try out the branch locator by clicking on this link and starting your search. You can scroll the map from this location, zoom in, and click on any spot that interests you. Unfortunately, you cannot save your search information for a later date, meaning you will have to add it again if you close the window and need to find the branch again later.
FAQ on CEFCU
Q: Why is there a delay on my payment appearance?
You might notice a slight lag in when money is added to your account. This situation typically only occurs if you add money after 3 p.m. Deposit your money sooner to make it show up almost immediately in your account.
Q: Why am I getting messages about bill payment errors?
This option comes up if you send the same payment to a payee more than once in a 14-day period. It occurs because your account believes it is a duplicate payment and is trying to protect you. Turn off “Duplicate Payment Protection” on your account to avoid this problem.
Q: I’m buying a home. Can you help me?
CEFCU will help first-time homebuyers pay for their closing costs. They won’t pay these costs for you but will find a less expensive price from another lender. Some users have saved nearly $1,000 on the closing value of their first home. This service is not available if you are buying a second home.
Q: Are prepayment penalties an issue with CEFCU?
There are no fees or penalties charged when paying your bills with CEFCU. However, the company for whom you are paying the bill may assess some kind of penalty. Make sure you talk to them about this situation before assuming you are safe.
Q: Do you still print checks for your customers?
CEFCU has not given up on checks yet. In fact, if you run out of any, you can simply order them directly from your online account by logging in and requesting replacement checks. They will be printed and sent to you as soon as possible.