The first change came when Automatic Electric Co. was purchased by GTE Corporation and the credit union changed its name to GTE Employees Federal Credit Union. The 1980s brought deregulation of financial institutions, which meant GTE Employees FCU had greater independence and new responsibilities. Determined to preserve the long-term security of the credit union, the GTE Employees FCU Board of Directors decided to diversify and, thereby, grow credit union membership. To better reflect this broader membership, the credit union changed its name again in 1986, to Corporate America Federal Credit Union.