We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. We survey 90 credit unions every weekday to determine which ones have the best CD rates. We’ve created this list of credit-union-specific CD rates for people who prefer to work with credit unions because they’re customer-owned and often have better rates than banks. The credit unions below are available to customers nationwide, and they’re all federally insured institutions. Your funds are protected through the National Credit Union Administration, up to $250,000 per depositor per institution. The list below highlights the best credit union CDs by term, with a few months of wiggle room on either side of the term to capture the best rates available. When there’s a tie, we favor credit unions with the lowest minimum deposit requirement and the most forgiving early-withdrawal policies. Scroll down for the top credit union CD rates available as of Jan. 26, 2024. Best Credit Union CDs Best Credit Union CDs Frequently Asked Questions Signature Federal Credit Union opened in 1970 and is based in Virginia, but its membership in the CO-OP network allows you to carry out transactions at any of its shared branches or service centers. In addition to CDs with 3-month to 5-year terms, the credit union offers checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as loans. If you’re not a member or employee of a partner organization, the easiest way to become a member is to join the American Consumer Council at no cost. You’ll also need to make a $5 deposit into a savings account. Started in 1949 by members of the scientific community, NASA Federal Credit Union serves over 200,000 members nationwide. Anyone can join the credit union by becoming a member of the National Space Society. You can join via the NASA Federal Credit Union application page, and your first year of membership is complimentary. Members are also required to sign up for a primary savings account with a minimum deposit of $5. Financial Resources Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1950 to serve employees of Ethicon Suture Laboratories, a division of Johnson & Johnson, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Previously known as Ethicon Employees Federal Credit Union, it changed its name in 2000. Membership is available nationwide to anyone who joins the American Consumer Council, which costs a minimum of $8. A lifetime ACC membership costs $15. Established in 1957 by a group of Minnesota educators, Expedition Credit Union has grown since to serve over 17,000 members and hold over $230 million in assets. Expedition offers standard personal banking products, including high-yield CDs. To join Expedition Credit Union online, simply fill out the forms and donate $5 to the Expedition Foundation. A lot of credit unions are small and serve only a tiny regional community. That’s not the case with Digital Federal Credit Union. Founded in 1979 and based out of Marlborough, Massachusetts, it has over 800,000 members living in every U.S. state. “Digital” is even in its name, after all, so if you prefer working with a credit union but you don’t have any good ones near you, this may be a prime online candidate for you. You’ll need to keep at least $5 in a savings account to join. Digital Federal Credit Union has a mile-long list of who qualifies for membership, and if you don’t qualify in any other way you can always join an organization such as Reach Out For Schools for a $10 fee, which you can do when you apply for an account. The United States Senate Federal Credit Union was launched in 1935 by nine employees of the Senate. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, membership is available to anyone who joins the American Consumer Council, for which the credit union will cover the cost. Branches are available in Alexandria and in Washington, D.C., but members also can access shared branches and ATMs that are part of the Allpoint, CO-OP, CULIANCE, and NYCE networks. Accounts also can be managed online or through an app for Android and Apple devices. First Harvest Credit Union was founded in 1940 in New Jersey and has grown to hold over $475 million in assets as of year-end 2022. First Harvest has eight branches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but also offers online banking and nationwide ATM access. Anyone is eligible for membership by agreeing to join the CrossState Credit Union Foundation, and First Harvest will cover the membership fee. Apple Federal Credit Union was founded in 1956 and has branches in northern Virginia. But customers nationwide can access accounts and use shared locations (including over 53,000 ATMs) through shared branching. If you’re not already eligible to join the credit union, you can qualify by joining the nonprofit Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators, and Coaches. NVADACA, which supports student athletes, offers membership at $20 per year. To get started with Apple Federal Credit Union, you’ll need to open a savings account with at least $5. Credit unions are financial institutions that provide banking services like checking accounts, savings accounts, and loans. They are customer-owned not-for-profit organizations, and they tend to have a community focus. To join a credit union, you typically need to share a common bond with other customers. For example, you might all work for the same employer or live in the same area. However, some credit unions, like those listed here, are available to customers nationwide. To qualify, you typically need to join a nonprofit organization, often with a small donation. Credit unions provide many of the same services as banks. But their not-for-profit structure makes them unique. In theory, credit unions primarily focus on serving customer-owners and keeping rates competitive. Without the need to generate profits for outside investors or pay taxes on earnings, credit unions might have an edge. Still, it’s always worth comparing offerings from both banks and credit unions. “Membership” is another difference. To join a credit union, you must meet specific eligibility criteria. Banks, on the other hand, make their services available to anybody. Concerned that a credit union is too small? If your credit union participates in shared branching, you can use branches and ATMs at other credit unions for free. The CO-OP shared branching network has more than 6,000 branches across the U.S.—more than Wells Fargo or Chase. Pros Customer-owned organization designed to serve them Competitive rates on loans and deposits Community focus Government-backed deposit insurance at federally-insured institutions Cons Eligibility requirements may pose hurdles for some consumers Small institutions might lack some services Some large credit unions lose the community feel and focus Credit unions often pay higher rates on CDs than banks. Without the need to maximize profits for outside shareholders, credit unions can maximize what they pay out in savings accounts and CDs. Plus, credit unions don’t pay federal income taxes. That provides additional resources for offering high rates to members. A CD is an account that pays a specified rate for the length of time that you choose. When you use a CD, you commit to leaving your funds with the bank, and you may have to pay a penalty if you withdraw funds early. Banks and credit unions typically reward you for your commitment by paying higher rates on CDs than they pay on savings accounts. CDs are “time deposits.” To open a CD, you select a term (six months or three years, for example) and deposit money. Your CD “matures” when the term ends, and you can withdraw the proceeds or reinvest them in another CD. Doing nothing prompts some banks and credit unions to reinvest your funds automatically into another CD with the same term. CDs pay more than savings accounts because you promise to keep your money untouched for an extended period. But if you need to withdraw funds, you can often do so—at a cost. An early withdrawal penalty is a charge you pay to your bank when you take money out before a CD matures. Penalties are often quoted as a number of days’ worth of interest. For example, a bank or credit union might have the following schedule of charges: Early-withdrawal penalties typically increase on CDs with longer terms. Some CDs do not have early withdrawal penalties. You can take funds out of a no-penalty CD at any time without paying additional charges. You might have to wait at least seven business days after opening the account, but the money is free and clear after that. No-penalty CDs offer flexibility, but you may pay a small price to keep your options open. These CDs typically pay lower rates than CDs that feature an early withdrawal penalty (all other things being equal). Still, a no-penalty CD might make sense if you’re setting aside funds for an unexpected need. Likewise, if you think rates might fall, you can use a no-penalty CD instead of a savings account. That strategy allows you to lock in today’s rates (for a while, at least) while keeping your money liquid. A CD ladder is a strategy that helps you avoid problems that may arise if you put all of your money into one CD. To use a laddering strategy, purchase multiple CDs with different maturity dates. By doing so, you have CDs mature periodically, and you can use those funds for spending needs. What’s more, as rates rise and fall, a ladder prevents you from investing everything into the lowest-yielding CDs. For example, if you have $20,000 to invest, you might use the strategy below: Whenever a CD matures, you put the proceeds into a new 24-month CD. As you cycle through CDs, you have cash available every six months. You can spend that money or reinvest at whatever rates are available. Competing CDs can differ in multiple ways. Factors to consider when deciding which option is best for you include: CDs are excellent for keeping your money safe while maximizing your earnings. If you’re keeping funds in a bank or credit union, a CD probably offers the highest rate. But other vehicles might be a better fit for your needs. As member-owned organizations, credit unions are an excellent place to buy CDs. They often pay more than banks, and even small credit unions might provide ample access to branches and ATMs. When you commit to a term of several months (or more), credit unions tend to pay more on CDs than they pay in savings accounts. But watch out for early withdrawal penalties, and consider using no-penalty CDs or a CD ladder if you want to avoid getting stuck in a CD that causes problems. Article Sources National Credit Union Administration. "Share Insurance." NASA Federal Credit Union. "About Us." United States Sente Federal Credit Union. "About USSFCU." Apple Federal Credit Union. "About Us." NVADACA. "NVADACA Membership." Apple Federal Credit Union. "Become a Member." Co-op Solutions. "Co-op Shared Branch." National Credit Union Administration. "Credit Union and Bank Rates." IRS. "Information for Federal and State Credit Unions Regarding Automatic Revocation of Exemption." National Credit Union Administration. "Share Insurance."Best Credit Union CDs for February 2024
Term Credit Union APY Minimum Deposit Early Withdrawal Penalty 3 Months (2–4 months included) Signature Federal Credit Union 5.55% $500 45 days of interest 6 Months (5–9 months included) NASA Federal Credit Union (9 months) 5.70% $10,000 All interest up to 182 days 1 Year (10–14 months included) Financial Resources Federal Credit Union (13 months) 5.64% $500 180 days of interest 18 Months (15–20 months included) Expedition Credit Union (15 months) 5.51% $2,500 3 months of interest 2 Years (21–29 months included) Digital Federal Credit Union (23 months) 5.39% $25,000 6 months of interest 3 Years (30–41 months included) United States Senate Federal Credit Union 5.23% $1,000 6 months of interest 4 Years (42–53 months included) First Harvest Credit Union 4.82% $1,000 6 months of interest 5 Years (54–66 months included) First Harvest Credit Union 4.89% $1,000 6 months of interest 10 Years (114–120 months included) Apple Federal Credit Union 4.00% $500 All dividends earned (1,095 days maximum) Best 3-Month CD : Signature Federal Credit Union
Best 6-Month CD : NASA Federal Credit Union
Best 1-Year CD : Financial Resources Federal Credit Union
Best 18-Month CD : Expedition Credit Union
Best 2-Year CD : Digital Federal Credit Union
Best 3-Year CD : United States Senate Federal Credit Union
Best 4-Year and 5-Year CDs : First Harvest Credit Union
Best 10-Year CD : Apple Federal Credit Union
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Credit Union?
How Do Credit Unions Differ From Banks?
Why Are Credit Union Rates So Good?
How Do CDs Work?
How Do Early-Withdrawal Penalties Work?
What Is a No-Penalty CD?
What Is a CD Ladder?
What Should You Look for in a CD?
What Are Some Alternatives to CDs?
Key Takeaways
As a financial expert with a deep understanding of credit unions and their offerings, I can provide valuable insights into the content presented in the article about the best credit union CDs for February 2024. My expertise is grounded in comprehensive knowledge of financial products, institutions, and market trends.
Let's delve into the concepts used in the article:
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Credit Union CDs and Evaluation Criteria:
- The article emphasizes the evaluation of credit unions based on their Certificate of Deposit (CD) rates.
- It highlights the customer-owned nature of credit unions, suggesting they often provide better rates than traditional banks.
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Federally Insured Institutions:
- The assurance of funds protection through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), covering up to $250,000 per depositor per institution.
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CD Rates by Term:
- The list categorizes credit union CDs based on different terms, ranging from 3 months to 10 years, capturing the best rates available.
- Preference is given to credit unions with the lowest minimum deposit requirement and favorable early-withdrawal policies in case of a tie.
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Specific Credit Unions and their CD Rates:
- Each credit union is associated with a specific CD term, Annual Percentage Yield (APY), minimum deposit, and early-withdrawal penalty details.
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Membership Eligibility and Requirements:
- Detailed information on how to become a member of each credit union, including eligibility criteria, minimum deposits, and additional requirements.
- Some credit unions have specific membership criteria, while others provide broader eligibility.
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No-Penalty CD and CD Ladder Strategies:
- Explanation of early-withdrawal penalties on traditional CDs and the concept of no-penalty CDs that allow flexibility in withdrawals without additional charges.
- Introduction of the CD ladder strategy, a method involving multiple CDs with different maturity dates to manage funds and optimize yields.
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Comparison with Banks:
- Differentiation between credit unions and banks, highlighting the customer-owned, not-for-profit structure of credit unions.
- Mention of the community focus of credit unions and eligibility requirements for membership.
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Credit Union Advantages and Disadvantages:
- Advantages include customer ownership, competitive rates, community focus, and shared branching for convenient access.
- Disadvantages encompass eligibility requirements, potential lack of services in smaller institutions, and the risk of losing a community feel in larger credit unions.
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How CDs Work and Early-Withdrawal Penalties:
- Explanation of CDs as time deposits with a specified interest rate for a chosen period.
- Details on early-withdrawal penalties, often quoted in terms of days' worth of interest.
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CD Laddering Strategy:
- Introduction of the CD laddering strategy to diversify investments across CDs with different maturity dates, ensuring flexibility and optimal returns.
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Factors to Consider in CD Selection:
- Key factors include earnings (APY), safety through federal insurance, flexibility in early withdrawals, and minimum deposit requirements.
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Alternatives to CDs:
- Brief mention of savings accounts and money market accounts as alternatives to CDs, with different features and liquidity options.
This analysis showcases my in-depth knowledge of financial concepts, allowing me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the content and offer additional insights if needed.
