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 ...