BEST OF

10 Best Credit Union CD Rates 2024

Spencer Tierney
By Spencer Tierney 
Edited by Sara Clarke

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Credit unions tend to have higher savings rates than banks, and some even compete with online banks' rates. Share certificates — what many credit unions call their certificates of deposit — have terms that range from several months to years, with minimum deposits varying by institution.

Unlike banks, credit unions can restrict membership based on geography, employer and other criteria, so be sure to check eligibility requirements. Here's a look at some of the best credit union CD rates.

Best Credit Union CD rates 2024

Easy to join:

  • Pentagon Federal Credit Union: APYs: 4.50% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 3.80% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Connexus Credit Union: APYs: 4.76% (1 year); 4.21% (3 years); 3.51% (5 years); Term range: 1 - 5 years; Minimum to open: $5,000.

  • Alliant Credit Union: APYs: 5.40% (1 year); 4.30% (3 years); 4.00% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Andrews Federal Credit Union: APYs: 5.00% (1 year); 4.20% (3 years); 3.90% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Self-Help Credit Union: APYs: 4.71% (1 year); 4.08% (3 years); 4.08% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

Competitive rates but restrictive membership:

  • Navy Federal Credit Union: APYs: 5.05% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 3.80% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: APYs: 4.45% (1 year); 4.45% (3 years); 4.60% (5 years); Term range: 1 month - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • America First Credit Union: APYs: 5.15% (1 year); 4.35% (3 years); 4.20% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • Community First Credit Union of Florida: APYs: 4.29% (1 year); 4.14% (3 years); 4.09% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • Delta Community Credit Union: APYs: 5.15% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 4.00% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Some financial institutions have started lowering CD yields, though overall rates remain high. With a CD, you can lock in high rates while they’re still around.

Discover the bank accounts that fit your financial goals
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Best Credit Union CD Rates 2024

Our pick for

Easy to join

NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Connexus Credit Union Certificate
Minimum deposit
$5,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 4.76%

3-year APY: 4.21%

5-year APY: 3.51%
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
PenFed Credit Union Money Market Certificate
Minimum deposit
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 4.50%

3-year APY: 4.00%

5-year APY: 3.80%
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Alliant Credit Union Certificate
Learn more

at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA

Minimum deposit
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 5.40%

3-year APY: 4.30%

5-year APY: 4.00%
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Self-Help Credit Union Term Certificate
Minimum deposit
$500
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 4.71%

3-year APY: 4.08%

5-year APY: 4.08%
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Andrews Federal Credit Union Fixed Rate Share Certificates
Minimum deposit
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 5.00%

3-year APY: 4.20%

5-year APY: 3.90%

Our pick for

Competitive rates but restrictive membership

NerdWallet rating 

3.5

/5
Navy Federal Credit Union Standard Certificate
Minimum deposit
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 5.05%

3-year APY: 4.00%

5-year APY: 3.80%
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
SchoolsFirst FCU Certificate
Minimum deposit
$500
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 4.45%

3-year APY: 4.45%

5-year APY: 4.60%
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
America First Credit Union Certificate
Minimum deposit
$500
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 5.15%

3-year APY: 4.35%

5-year APY: 4.20%
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Community First Credit Union CD
Minimum deposit
$500
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 4.29%

3-year APY: 4.14%

5-year APY: 4.09%
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Delta Community Credit Union CD
Minimum deposit
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
APY
1-year APY: 5.15%

3-year APY: 4.00%

5-year APY: 4.00%

» Want to see more CD options? Check out our list of the best CD rates overall

How do CDs at banks and credit unions differ?

Banks are for-profit institutions while credit unions are not-for-profits. Your banking needs for CDs can generally be met at either, but if you prefer a banking institution known for being part of the community it resides in, credit unions tend to fill those shoes better.

Do banks or credit unions offer better rates?

On average, you can find credit unions with higher CD rates than traditional banks. However, online banks and online credit unions tend to offer some of the best rates available.

» Curious about other savings options? Check out NerdWallet’s best high-yield online savings accounts

Best Credit Union CD rates 2024

Easy to join:

  • Pentagon Federal Credit Union: APYs: 4.50% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 3.80% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Connexus Credit Union: APYs: 4.76% (1 year); 4.21% (3 years); 3.51% (5 years); Term range: 1 - 5 years; Minimum to open: $5,000.

  • Alliant Credit Union: APYs: 5.40% (1 year); 4.30% (3 years); 4.00% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Andrews Federal Credit Union: APYs: 5.00% (1 year); 4.20% (3 years); 3.90% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • Self-Help Credit Union: APYs: 4.71% (1 year); 4.08% (3 years); 4.08% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

Competitive rates but restrictive membership:

  • Navy Federal Credit Union: APYs: 5.05% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 3.80% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 7 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

  • SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: APYs: 4.45% (1 year); 4.45% (3 years); 4.60% (5 years); Term range: 1 month - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • America First Credit Union: APYs: 5.15% (1 year); 4.35% (3 years); 4.20% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • Community First Credit Union of Florida: APYs: 4.29% (1 year); 4.14% (3 years); 4.09% (5 years); Term range: 3 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $500.

  • Delta Community Credit Union: APYs: 5.15% (1 year); 4.00% (3 years); 4.00% (5 years); Term range: 6 months - 5 years; Minimum to open: $1,000.

Last updated on January 26, 2024

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Credit Union CD Rates 2024

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