AgFed Credit Union Unveils Limited-Time 16-Month Special CD

The latest limited-time CD offered by AgFed Credit Union (AgFed) is a 16-month Certificate Special that earns 3.00% APY. The opening minimum deposit is $250 of new money (funds not held in existing AgFed accounts), and the opening maximum deposit is $100k. There is a limit of one 16-month Special Certificate per member (one per Social Security number).

In the past, AgFed’s limited-time certificates have been available for approximately a month, but as stated in the fine print on the landing page,

AgFed reserves the right to change or withdraw this offer at any time without notice.

Dividends compound and are credited quarterly. The quarterly dividend periods starting on the first day of the calendar quarter and dividends are paid on the last calendar day of the quarter. Quarterly dividends can be withdrawn without penalty and will be distributed either by check to the address on file or transferred to an AgFed checking or savings account.

As stated on the Share Rates page, the Early Withdrawal Penalty (EWP) reads as follows:

If the qualifying period is greater than 11 months but less than 60 months, the member shall forfeit an amount equal to the lesser of:

(A) All dividends for 180 days on the amount withdrawn, or
(B) All dividends on the amount withdrawn since the date of issuance or renewal.

Funding a Special Certificate can be done by ACH, wire, internal transfer, or check (if opened in-branch). AgFed participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network, making the transfer of funds into an AgFed account relatively simple. Like quarterly dividends, maturing funds can be distributed by check to the address on file or transferred to an AgFed checking or savings account. There is a ten day grace period before the 16-month Certificate automatically renews. As stated in the fine print on the Share Certificates page, “limited offers will mature at a comparable rate and term.”

Asset Builder Certificates

Since the beginning of the year, AgFed has been steadily increasing rates of its three add-on CDs, the Asset Builder Certificates (ABC). An ABC can be opened with a minimum $25 deposit and unlimited additional deposits can be made throughout the term.

Once your certificate is open, deposits can be made at any time and in any amount by payroll deduction, mail or in person. Dividends are paid quarterly.

CSR stated that funds from an AgFed savings account can also be transferred into an ABC.

The size of the ABC rate increases have improved in the last three months, with a total of 160 bps added to the 24-month ABC, which currently earns 2.65% APY. While not as competitive as the 24-month ABC, the 18-month ABC (2.35% APY) and the 12-month ABC (2.00% APY) rates are still quite good.

The EWP stated above applies to the ABCs, as does the ten day grace period before renewal and the distribution of maturing funds details.

Opening a 24-month ABC with a minimum $25 deposit has virtually no downside. Speaking hypothetically, if rates tumble a year from now, with CD rates falling to 2021 levels, you could always make add-on deposits into the 24-month ABC and benefit from the 2.65% APY for the remainder of the term. As one of my colleagues said, “it can be considered a low-cost insurance policy against future low rates.”

Investing a few dollars today guarantees you’ll have access to an account that earns 2.65% APY for the next two years. Should rates happen to drop below 1%, the 2.65% APY will be quite beneficial. If rates don't fall and you never add more funds to this CD, the loss on the $25 deposit will be insignificant.

There is no limit of the number of ABCs that can be opened by a single member. Should the 24-month ABC rate increase in the next few months, you can open another one with a $25 deposit.

Availability

Headquartered in Washington, DC, AgFed Credit Union’s field of membership (FOM) is wide and varied, with a way to join for almost anyone in the U.S. with a valid Social Security number.

Easy Membership: Members of The Friends of the National Arboretum (one-time $20 donation) are eligible for membership. Joining the association and applying for AgFed membership can be done simultaneously, using the Credit Union’s online application.

Residency: Individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in the District of Columbia also qualify for membership.

Employment/Affiliation: Any current/retired employee or member of more than 60 Select Employee Groups and organizations are eligible to join.

Family Relationship: Any person related by blood, adoption, or marriage to an AgFed member (except relatives of members who have been expelled from the Credit Union) are welcome to apply.

Joining AgFed and/or opening an 16-month Certificate Special or Asset Builder Certificate can be done online, by phone (202.579.2270), by mail or fax, or at any of three full-service branches located in Washington, DC (2), and Riverdale (MD). Note: while the George Washington Carver Center (Beltsville, MD) has recently reopened, the USDA Cafeteria (DC), and BARC West (MD) continue to be are temporarily closed

You will also be asked to make a $5 deposit into your savings account to establish your membership. That deposit is yours to withdraw should you decide to cancel your AgFed membership.

As a member of the CO-OP Share Branch and ATM Networks, AgFed provides its members with access to more than 5,000 shared branches and more than 30,000 ATMs throughout the country.

You need convenient access to your accounts – we have a network of branches
and surcharge-free ATMs to ensure you can always access your money.

Credit Union Overview

AgFed Credit Union has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 1.92% (excellent) based on March 31, 2022 data. In the past year, AgFed has increased its non-brokered deposits by $3 million, an above average annual growth rate of 0.96%. Please refer to our financial overview of AgFed Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 16400) for more details.

Originally established in 1934 as the Agriculture Federal Credit Union by United States Department of Agriculture, the Credit Union had an initial membership of 20 people and assets of $59.75 within a month of opening its doors. Eighty-eight years later, AgFed Credit Union has more than 26,000 members and assets in excess of $353 million.

How the 16-Month Certificate Special Compares

When compared to similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that are available nationally and have minimum deposit requirements of $10k or less, only one bank has a higher rate than currently offered on the AgFed Credit Union 16-month Certificate Special. The following table compares the 16-month Certificate Special to the two highest-rate CDs from other banks, the two highest-rate CDs from other major online banks and the two highest-rate CDs from credit unions.

How the 24-Month Asset Builder Certificate Compares

When compared to the Add On CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com, which require a similar minimum deposit ($5k or less) and are not limited by a low balance cap, AgFed Credit Union’s 24-month Asset Builder Certificate APY currently ranks first.

The above information and rates are accurate as of 8/11/2022.

To look for the best CD rates, either nationwide or state-specific, please refer to our CD Rates Table page.