April, 2010

A Message from your President/CEO

Dear Member/Owners:

As I reflect on 2009, I’m proud to share good news. Actually, I think the headline from a December, 2009 Peoria Journal Star article said it best: “CEFCU defies economic storm with a record year.”

We — more specifically, you — certainly did.

CEFCU’s ongoing success is directly due to members like you. And, Valley Credit Union, as a division of CEFCU, contributed to that success. Deposit volume and growth in 2009 was outstanding. As a result, your Credit Union was able to continue making a record number of affordable loans that helped individuals, businesses, and our communities. Membership continues to grow; 2009 again saw one of our largest increases in more than a decade. It’s obvious that at CEFCU and Valley Credit Union, borrowers and savers really do work together like family, to help each other.

CEFCU’s continued strong performance is certainly a sharp contrast to what’s happened elsewhere. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the simple reality is the credit union way of doing business works. It has proven to be a fiscally responsible business structure that delivers sustainable, long-term value. Thanks to your continued trust and support, combined with the smart, sound, and ethical business and lending guidelines CEFCU’s always followed, your Credit Union is thriving and remains exceptionally strong.

At CEFCU, our focus is always on doing things that benefit you — every CEFCU borrower and saver — not on generating profits for Wall Street. And, we continue to look for ways to enhance the choices you have available here.

For example, in 2009, we introduced the “My Save Certificate.” This account lets you open a certificate with as little as $5, earn higher savings rates, plus make additional deposits as you build the account. In addition, our program of paying select closing costs for qualified first-time buyers helped nearly 500 members save on their first home last year. Plus, our dividend and loan rates continue to be among the best available.

Certainly, no one is immune when the economy struggles, including CEFCU. We recognize a number of individuals and businesses continue to face challenges, and the data is mixed regarding economic expectations for the rest of 2010.

But, rest assured, CEFCU’s ability and commitment to deliver exceptional value, help members, and help our communities grow, is as strong as ever. And, it’s a direct result of you. Together, members like you continue to demonstrate why CEFCU truly is not a bank, but better. Thank you.