Find all the latest Citizens Equity First Credit Union promotions, bonuses, and offers here.
Update 1/17/25: The $175 and $225 checking offers have been extended through 6/30/25.
About Citizens Equity First Credit Union Promotions
Since its formation in 1937, Citizens Equity First Credit Union has grown to over 330,000 members. They have also grown to over 27 membership branches across Illinois and California.
| Eligibility: To be eligible, you must live or work in Fulton, Knox, Livingston, Logan, McLean, Macon, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Putnam, Sangamon, Stark, Tazewell, or Woodford counties in Illinois. For more information on membership eligibility, please see the Full Membership Requirements. |
Please continue reading to learn more about CEFCU promotions.
CEFCU $225 Checking Savings Bonus
Citizens Equity First Credit Union is offering a $225 bonus when you meet all the requirements.
- What you’ll get: $225 bonus
- Account Type: Checking
- Availability: CA, IL (Bank Locator)
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Hard/Soft Pull: Hard Pull
- ChexSystem: Yes
- Credit Card Funding: Up to $200
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: None listed
- Household Limit: None listed
(Expires 06/30/2025)
| BMO Smart Money Checking ($400 cash bonus*) | KeyBank Checking ($300 bonus) |
| Chase Private Client ($3,000 Bonus) | HSBC Premier Checking (Up to $3,000 Cash Bonus), |
How To Earn Bonus
HOW TO EARN BONUSFINE PRINT
- Open a qualifying new, first-time Checking account.
- Complete the bonus reward requirements:
- For Checking accounts only, you will receive a $200 Savings credit as a bonus if you open a new, first-time Checking account between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25 and reside in California. To receive the bonus, you must:
- (i) qualify for a Checking account;
- (ii) open a new, first-time Checking account with a deposit of $25 or more;
- (iii) satisfy one or more of the following account requirements within the first full calendar month after account opening:
- have a minimum individual balance of $5,000 or minimum household balance of $10,000,
- make 5 or more purchases of at least $15 with your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account, or
- have direct deposits totaling $500 or more on this Checking account or associated Savings account;
- (iv) agree to receive your CEFCU Savings account statements electronically, via CEFCU eStatements,
- (v) maintain your open Checking account in good standing as of the bonus fulfillment date, and
- (vi) have a valid Social Security or Tax Identification number.
- Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the first full calendar month after account opening if you satisfied one or more of account requirements (item iii) and agreed to receive your CEFCU account statements electronically (item iv) before the end of that first full calendar month.
- For Checking accounts only, you will receive a $200 Savings credit as a bonus if you open a new, first-time Checking account between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25 and reside in California. To receive the bonus, you must:
- For new, first-time Checking accounts only, you will receive a $25 Savings credit as a bonus when you use your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account for 5 or more purchases of at least $15 each month, for the first three full calendar months following account opening.
- Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the third full calendar month following account opening.
- Must be at least 13 years old to qualify for the bonus.
- The bonuses are not available on transfers of existing CEFCU Checking accounts, nor for members who have previously had a Checking account with CEFCU. All bonuses are not available on Health Savings Accounts, Rep Payee accounts, Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts, Basic Business Checking accounts, Dividend Business Checking accounts, or Business Checking accounts. Offer subject to change. There is a limit of a combined total of $225 for personal Checking account-related bonuses per member. The value of the bonuses are considered a taxable dividend to you and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. You must have a valid SSN/ITIN to qualify.
- For Checking accounts only, you will receive a $200 Savings credit as a bonus if you open a new, first-time Checking account between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25 and reside in California. To receive the bonus, you must: (i) qualify for a Checking account; (ii) open a new, first-time Checking account with a deposit of $25 or more; (iii) satisfy one or more of the following account requirements within the first full calendar month after account opening: have a minimum individual balance of $5,000 or minimum household balance of $10,000, make 5 or more purchases of at least $15 with your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account, or have direct deposits totaling $500 or more on this Checking account or associated Savings account; (iv) agree to receive your CEFCU Savings account statements electronically, via CEFCU eStatements, (v) maintain your open Checking account in good standing as of the bonus fulfillment date, and (vi) have a valid Social Security or Tax Identification number. Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the first full calendar month after account opening if you satisfied one or more of account requirements (item iii) and agreed to receive your CEFCU account statements electronically (item iv) before the end of that first full calendar month.
- For new, first-time Checking accounts only, you will receive a $25 Savings credit as a bonus when you use your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account for 5 or more purchases of at least $15 each month, for the first three full calendar months following account opening. Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the third full calendar month following account opening.
CEFCU $175 Checking Savings Bonus
Citizens Equity First Credit Union is offering a $175 bonus when you meet all the requirements.
- What you’ll get: $175 bonus
- Account Type: Checking, Savings
- Availability: CA, IL (Bank Locator)
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Hard/Soft Pull: Hard Pull
- ChexSystem: Yes
- Credit Card Funding: Up to $200
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: None listed
- Household Limit: None listed
(Expires 06/30/2025)
| BMO Smart Money Checking ($400 cash bonus*) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($400 cash bonus*) |
| Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
| KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
How To Earn Bonus
HOW TO EARN BONUSFINE PRINT
- Open a qualifying new, first-time Checking account.
- For Checking accounts only, you will receive a $150 Savings credit as a bonus if you open a new, first-time Checking account between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25.
- To receive the bonus, you must:
- (i) qualify for a Checking account;
- (ii) open a new, first-time Checking account with a deposit of $25 or more;
- (iii) satisfy one or more of the following account requirements within the first full calendar month after account opening:
- have a minimum individual balance of $5,000 or minimum household balance of $10,000,
- make 5 or more purchases of at least $15 with your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account, or
- have direct deposits totaling $500 or more on this Checking account or associated Savings account;
- (iv) agree to receive your CEFCU Savings account statements electronically, via CEFCU eStatements,
- (v) maintain your open Checking account in good standing as of the bonus fulfillment date, and
- (vi) have a valid Social Security or Tax Identification number.
- Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the first full calendar month after account opening if you satisfied one or more of account requirements (item iii) and agreed to receive your CEFCU account statements electronically (item iv) before the end of that first full calendar month.
- For new, first-time Checking accounts only, you will receive a $25 Savings credit as a bonus when you use your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account for 5 or more purchases of at least $15 each month, for the first three full calendar months following account opening.
- Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the third full calendar month following account opening.
- Must be at least 13 years old to qualify for the bonus.
- The bonuses are not available on transfers of existing CEFCU Checking accounts, nor for members who have previously had a Checking account with CEFCU. All bonuses are not available on Health Savings Accounts, Rep Payee accounts, Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts, Basic Business Checking accounts, Dividend Business Checking accounts, or Business Checking accounts. Offer subject to change. There is a limit of a combined total of $175 for personal Checking account-related bonuses per member. The value of the bonuses are considered a taxable dividend to you and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. You must have a valid SSN/ITIN to qualify.
- For Checking accounts only, you will receive a $150 Savings credit as a bonus if you open a new, first-time Checking account between 1/1/25 and 6/30/25. To receive the bonus, you must: (i) qualify for a Checking account; (ii) open a new, first-time Checking account with a deposit of $25 or more; (iii) satisfy one or more of the following account requirements within the first full calendar month after account opening: have a minimum individual balance of $5,000 or minimum household balance of $10,000, make 5 or more purchases of at least $15 with your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account, or have direct deposits totaling $500 or more on this Checking account or associated Savings account; (iv) agree to receive your CEFCU Savings account statements electronically, via CEFCU eStatements, (v) maintain your open Checking account in good standing as of the bonus fulfillment date, and (vi) have a valid Social Security or Tax Identification number. Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the first full calendar month after account opening if you satisfied one or more of account requirements (item iii) and agreed to receive your CEFCU account statements electronically (item iv) before the end of that first full calendar month.
- For new, first-time Checking accounts only, you will receive a $25 Savings credit as a bonus when you use your CEFCU Debit Mastercard linked to this new Checking account for 5 or more purchases of at least $15 each month, for the first three full calendar months following account opening. Your bonus will be deposited to the CEFCU Savings account associated with your new Checking account within 4 to 6 weeks of the end of the third full calendar month following account opening.
CEFCU $25 Referral Bonus
Citizens Equity First Credit Union account holders can now start referring their friends to be a new member and open an account with them! You can earn up to $25 bonus in direct deposit.
- What you’ll get: $25 bonus
- Account Type: Checking
- Availability: CA, IL
- Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes (see what works)
- Hard/Soft Pull: Hard Pull
- ChexSystem: Yes
- Credit Card Funding: Up to $200
- Monthly Fees: None
- Early Account Termination Fee: None listed
- Household Limit: None listed
(Expires 06/30/2024)
| BMO Smart Money Checking ($400 cash bonus*) | BMO Smart Advantage Checking ($400 cash bonus*) |
| Bank of America ($300 bonus offer) | Chase Total Checking® ($300 bonus) |
| KeyBank Key Smart Checking ($300 bonus) | SoFi Checking and Savings ($325 bonus) |
Editor’s Note: If you’re a business account holder from CEFCU, you can refer a non-member to open a newCEFCU Savings account and a CEFCU Business checking account, Business Loan, or Business Credit Card and earn a $50 bonus for each qualifying referrals.
How To Earn Bonus
HOW TO EARN BONUSFINE PRINT
- Earn $25 Referral Bonus
- Fill out the Official Referral Certificate web form with the required information.
- Click Submit.
- That’s it! You and your friend could both receive up to $25 via automatic deposit to your Savings account within 4–6 weeks.
- Earn $50 Business Referral Bonus
- To receive the $50, you must be a CEFCU member in good standing and refer a non-member who must open a new CEFCU Savings account and a new CEFCU Business Checking account, Business Loan, or Business Credit Card.
- Just fill out the Referred By section of the Official Referral Certificate*. Then simply give the certificate to a friend or member of your network.
We’ll help your friend fill out the rest at account opening. - Once the qualifying accounts have been opened, CEFCU will deposit $50 to your Savings account within 6-8 weeks.
- For a limited time, any current CEFCU member in good standing (“Member”) and non-member Friend (“Friend”) can both receive up to $25 (“Referral Bonus”) via direct deposit to their CEFCU Savings account when the Member refers the Friend to CEFCU, where the Friend opens a qualifying new CEFCU account and submits an Official Referral Certificate , or completes the Official Referral Certificate web form within five business days of account opening.
- To refer a Friend, simply fill out the Official Referral Certificate web form, or complete the “Referred By” section of the Official Referral Certificate and provide it to your Friend.
- For you both to receive the Referral Bonus, your Friend must (i) qualify for CEFCU membership; (ii) open a regular Savings account with a minimum deposit of $5 on or before 6/30/24; (iii) open a qualifying CEFCU account at the time of the Savings account opening; and (iv) submit a completed Official Referral Certificate web form, or an Official Referral Certificate at the time of account opening or mail it to CEFCU, attn.: Marketing/Referral, P.O. Box 1715, Peoria, IL 61656-1715 within five days of account opening.
- Qualifying new accounts to receive a $25 Referral Bonus to the Member and the Friend may be any of the following: Checking, Vehicle Loan, or Credit Card account. Qualifying new accounts to receive a $10 Referral Bonus to the Member and the Friend may be any of the following: Personal Loan, Health Savings Account, or (where the primary member, Friend, is age 12 or younger) the Savings account referenced at (ii) above.
- Qualifying accounts do not include Insured Money Market Accounts, Club Accounts, Hybrid HELOCs, Home Loans, Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts, Rep Payee Accounts, or Certificates.
- Referral Bonuses will be deposited four to six weeks following the Friend’s account opening.
- There is a limit of 3 Referral Bonuses paid to a Member, or $75, whichever is greater, per calendar year.
- Only one Referral Bonus may be redeemed per new Member.
- Offer subject to change and void where prohibited or restricted by law.
- Employees and volunteers of CEFCU, their immediate families, and any person living in the household of these individuals, whether related or not, are not eligible to receive a Referral Bonus.
- All accounts are subject to qualification.
- The value of the bonus is considered a taxable dividend to you and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
How To Waive Monthly Fees
- Checking: None
- Dividend Checking: $6.00 fee for each statement period that the average daily account balance drops below the minimum $2,500 level.
- Basic Business Checking: If you keep a $2,500 average daily balance, there’s no monthly service fee.
- Dividend Business Checking: $6.00 fee for each statement period that the average daily account balance drops below the minimum $2,500 level.
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Bottom Line
Lastly, the Citizens Equity First Credit Union promotions, such as the $125 and $175 bonus, allows you to earn a bonus by skipping the hassle of switching direct deposits to this new account. Additionally, once you join, you can start referring new members and earn bonuses.
However, do note that the credit union doesn’t offer the best rates available. Therefore, you may want to check out our full list of Bank Rates and CD Rates.
*Compare Citizens Equity First Credit Union Promotions with other bank bonuses from banks like Citi, Huntington, HSBC, Chase, TD, Discover Bank, Aspiration, Axos Bank, PNC Bank, BMO, SoFi, Fifth Third Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and more!*
*Check back at this page for updated Citizens Equity First Credit Union promotions, bonuses and offers.
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