CEFCU (Citizens Equity First Credit Union) is a credit union based in Peoria, Illinois. CEFCU was founded in 1937 as Caterpillar Employees Credit Union (CECU), later switched to a federal credit union charter and the name CEFCU (Caterpillar Employees Federal Credit Union). Upon legally separating from Caterpillar, CEFCU changed its acronym to more accurately reflect membership eligibility; first, to "Construction Equipment Federal Credit Union" and, later, to "Citizens Equity Federal Credit Union." CEFCU returned to an Illinois state credit union charter in 2000, keeping the acronym CEFCU and maintaining federal deposit ("share") insurance under the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. CEFCU membership criteria allow employees of Caterpillar Inc. and Caterpillar dealers, business partners, plus individuals living or working in fourteen central Illinois counties to belong to the credit union. In 2008, CEFCU acquired Valley Credit Union, located in San Jose, California. Individuals living or working in the following Illinois counties are eligible for CEFCU membership: Fulton, Knox, Livingston, Logan, McLean, Macon, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Putnam, Sangamon, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. Additionally, individuals who live, work or worship in Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California are eligible to join CEFCU.