Andrews Federal Credit Union Adds 2.75% APY 9-Month CD Special
It’s been more than a year since Andrews Federal Credit Union (Andrews Federal) offered a really competitive CD. The latest deal is a 9-month Certificate Special, which earns 2.75% APY. This limited-time offering can be opened with a $1k minimum deposit, and is capped at $250k.
| APY | MIN | MAX | INSTITUTION | PRODUCT | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.75% | $1k | $250k | Andrews Federal Credit Union | 9 Month Certificate Special |
As stated in the fine print on the Share Certificates page,
Each individual member limited to one Special
9-Month Certificate during the promotional period.
As stated in Andrews Federal's Truth In Savings document, the EWP reads as follows:
If your account has an original maturity date of less than
24 months, we will charge a penalty equal to 90 days of dividends.
Other Certificate Specials
In addition to the 9-month Certificate Special, Andrews Federal is also featuring three others. While the 9-month is definitely the most competitive, its companion Certificate Specials merit mentioning.
Thanks to DA reader, retirednc, for the Forum post about Andrews Federal’s newest Certificate Specials.
Remember the 84-Month Share Certificate?
In January 2017, I wrote about the 84-month Share Certificate, which was offered at 3.00% APY. Even after 18 months of rising rates, that 3.00% APY is still not a bad rate. In fact, there are currently only three 7-year CDs with higher APYs (3.10% and 3.20%). Andrews Federal's current rate for its 84-month Share and IRA Certificate is only 2.20% APY.
Availability
Headquartered in Suitland, Maryland, Andrews Federal Credit Union offers membership to virtually all U.S. citizens and resident aliens through a variety of ways.
Easy Membership Requirement - Members of the American Consumer Council (ACC) are eligible to join Andrews Federal.
Note: Andrews Federal's online application asks for your ACC membership number; in other words, you must join ACC prior to joining Andrews Federal. As stated in the online application, “You can join ACC at no charge by using the promo code – Andrews."
Residency - Individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in Washington, D.C. qualify for membership.
Military Relationship - Civilian and military personnel of Joint Base Andrews, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands are also eligible to join.
Employment/Association - More than 200 groups in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia offer Andrews Federal membership as a benefit.
Family Membership - Immediate family members (spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild) of an existing member, or household members of an existing member are eligible to join.
Joining Andrews Federal and/or opening a Certificate Special can be done online, or at any of ten U.S. branches located in Maryland (3), New Jersey (3), Virginia (2), and the District of Columbia (2). Andrews Federal also has branches associated with military bases in Germany, The Netherlands, and Belgium.
Credit Union Overview
Andrews Federal Credit Union has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas ratio of 3.64% (excellent), based on March 31, 2018 data. In the past year, Andrews FCU increased its total non-brokered deposits by $15.63 million, an above average annual growth rate of 1.17%. Please refer to our financial overview of Andrews Federal Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 5754) for more details.
Andrews Federal Credit Union was established in 1948, when eight individuals each deposited $5 to form a credit union that would address the personal financial needs of military and civilian personnel at Andrews Air Force Base. Today, Andrews Federal is Maryland’s fourth largest credit and the 179th largest credit union in the country, with more than 121,000 members and assets in excess of $1.5 billion.
How the Certificate Special Compares
When compared to the nationally available similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that required a minimum deposit of $10k or less, Andrews Federal Credit Union's 9-month Certificate Special APY currently ranks first.
| Interest Rate | CD Length of Term | Credit Union/Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 2.75% APY | 9-Month Certificate Special ($1k min) | Andrews Federal Credit Union |
| 2.26% APY | 9-Month CD ($10k min) | CD Bank |
| 2.20% APY | 9-Month Share Certificate Special (1k min) | Service Credit Union |
The above rates are accurate as of 7/5/2018.
To look for the best CD rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our CD Rates Table page.
(I know an EW is unlikely on a 9-month term, but I always try to find out anyway, just in case.)
They WILL do a soft pull for ID purposes only, so I'm not sure what happened to you.
Also, you can open everything online AND use a Shared branch to deposit a check (once account's open), then call them to move your deposit to the CD. Or you can give them ACH instructions, but who knows how efficient their service is. Same thing may also be done at maturity...you can go to a Shared branch and withdraw WHATEVER amount you'd like (check) once its in the Shared Savings account. Basically you can take the money and run without visiting an official 'Andrews' branch.
Read a lot of the bad reviews on the bank's page here and saw no mention of hard pulls as an issue. Mostly issues with applying for their credit card, which could EASILY lead to a request for more credit information. But we're not doing that here. Additionally, issues with what apparently appears to be an ACH limit if funding your account electronically. But the Shared branch deposit-by-check solves that problem, if it even still exists. Lot of those reviews are from around the time you joined or older...maybe some things have changed since then.
Not gonna jump on this deal just yet though. Christina stated it goes thru the end of July (unless I should assume incompetence with that as well?), so I'll investigate further before then and report back. I believe its really one of the best rate vs. duration CD deals right now.
Interest accrues and is paid quarterly. My CD came due on June 6 but I had to wait until July 1 to collect the interest and see how much was paid for that last 3 month cycle, and the e-statement. No matter how simple a task is, even to be removed from marketing materials you have to call and speak to a CS rep since the website lacks those options. You will receive marketing mailers a few times a month pressuring you to sign up for a life insurance policy from AndrewsFCU through some third party insurance peddler.
Private messages sent on their website are usually ignored. When you call with a question you are bounced around a few times that is if you don't get disconnected in the process. Each person you talk to has a different answer to your questions. I vowed never to come back no matter how good the deal is. Unfortunately for me I still have a IRA CD that expires in 2024 so I can't quite terminate my relationship with them yet but I can't wait.
That points to really archaic security. That is barely acceptable now and will get less secure with every year passing.
A simple $1 transfer back and/or forth every now and then will let them know you're still alive, and avoid this nuisance fee.
You can also go to a Shared branch upon maturity and request a check be issued from your Savings account. Assuming the Shared branch doesn't charge for cashier's checks or impose dollar limits on withdrawals form other credit unions. The one I have in mind doesn't.
https://www.andrewsfcu.org/locations.html?address=
I do not see any benefits and please do not tell me you will get more money by churning more money, there is a point of no profitable return when you include the delays in funding, cashing or transferring the money.
I checked this logic myself, NavyFed ran a 3% 5 month CD last fall. Max deposit of $10,000. In 5 months I made $125. If I were able to let it sit for 12 months I would make the full $300. However, that wasn't an option, and in terms of the max amount I could make on $10,000 using CD for those 5 months, $125 was the best option. Same thing here. I'm not sure what you're trying to prove, that people shouldn't buy this CD? Ken has clearly demonstrated this is the best short term deal (outside of stocks etc.) in the above writeup.
Of course, to listen to some, 1.75% is better than 2.75% because of APR/APY differences.
(Rolling my eyes.)
Also, if you're opening an account online, you should just do the membership and Savings account FIRST. Get it up and running with a Membership number, THEN go to the Shared branch and deposit the funds for the CD (check with your Shared branch for $$ amount deposit/withdrawal limitations, mine has none). THEN call the 800 number and ask them to open up the CD for you and they will transfer the funds same day to the CD. You can also give them all appropriate instructions for maturity at that point, if you want. You're done.
...BE AWARE...
And yes, that was the term they used...'Chex System', which is a simple pull.
I'm sure that at one time, some of the 'incompetent' parts of this FCU that others have been referencing probably did exist and maybe some still do. But whether their processors were doing hard pulls by accident or because their systems weren't set up correctly, it doesn't seem like they're doing that now.
1) Did you previously have an account or accounts with Andrews and are now attempting to open this new 9-month CD, or is this your very FIRST Andrews account, and,
2) In addition to this 9-month CD were you ALSO requesting to open a credit card, or even just a checking account, with Andrews? Thanks.
- applied for a member share savings account
- applied for the CD special
But, I would not care if they did. I won't ever need or use credit again in my life.
It seems silly to me to pass on a good rate over what? 7-15 point ding to your credit?if that.
Example 1, if the rates stay steady for the next 9 mo any saving account that earns 2.05% will have exact same amount of money as the 9 mo CD in 9 months.
Example 2, should interest rate clime sooner than 9 mo, the savers will make more money at the end of 9 mo.
Example 3, should the rates go up in a month or two, all with Andrews 9 mo CD will be the losers some (big losers, if you invested heavy amounts).
I just opened eOne Savings for 2.05% APY at Salem and we are already even in the benefits with 9 mo CD.
Rates will probably go higher in the months ahead. Lets say they go up .25% in 3 months.
2.05+.30=2.35% which is still less than 2.75%.
I am pondering opening an Andrews because In my world with my math, 2.75% on a 9 month is the best available rate by far.
Not sure what 2.05% has to do with anything. That's less than the 2.26% I already get at Northern.
Call Andrews supervisor and ask how much money you will have when your CD mature, you will be shocked to find out that it will be only 2.06% on your invested money.
Why did you bought short term CD?
..because if I expect rates to go down (and I don't ) I'm now locked in for the next 9 months with a really great 2.72% APR on my money. What's your point?
Either you do not count right or you are shorting yourself by thinking the 9 mo already got me 2.72%, which is not, after 9 mo you have only 2.06% in your pocket.
Read the other posts...like comment #64. Even if rates dropped, they wouldn't go far enough so fast that you'd end up with such a drastic difference in yield due to opportunity cost. What you keep ignoring is that this is an extraordinary offer;; and it would take quite a large move, even over as long as 9 months, for anyone to be losing out like you describe.
If you can comprehend that, that will give you the analogous answer for the 9 mo CD.
Many people do NOT understand apy lesser than 1 Year.
Glad to see you finally understand.
Here's where you can learn more:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/annualized-rate.asp
Andrews CD and now as Andrews 9 mo CD? Short Lived!!!!!!
1111
if this is deleted tell me how to avoid DA Policy
Dennis writes in with the following question about CD rates:
My credit union has CDs. The rate for a three-month CD is 1.88% while the rate for a one-year is 2.37%. Is my math reading correctly when I come out with $2.37 (on a $100 deposit) for 1 year but if I chose to deposit in the three-month CD four times in a row (thus equaling the 1 year CD) that my return would be $7.52 (assuming the rate remains the same)? At the moment I’m not debating whether or not a CD is the best investment, simply asking about this particular set up.
This is actually a fairly common misconception that people have about how certificates of deposit work. In truth, the one year certificate of deposit will earn you noticeably more than the three month CD. Let’s dig into how this all works.
CDs are quoted with their annual rates of return. When you see a rate quoted on a certificate of deposit, you actually are seeing the annual rate of return on that CD – in other words, that’s the percent of your investment that would be earned if you held the investment for a full year. So, the three month certificate of deposit above would earn 1.88% only if it were held over the course of a full year.
A very simple example So, let’s say Dennis buys one of those three month CDs. This CD only pays interest upon maturity and earns 1.88%. Dennis buys one for $1,000. Over the course of a year, this investment would have earned $18.80, but the CD only lasts for three months, thus earning Dennis $4.70 after three months. If he were to take that $1,000 and buy another CD, then do it again, and again, at the end of the year, Dennis would have earned his $18.80.
Compounding Many certificates of deposit compound monthly, which means they pay out 1/12th of the year’s interest at the end of each month. So, in the above example, Dennis would actually see an interest payment of $1.57 every month.
Many certificates of deposit also allow you to put that earned interest directly onto the balance of the certificate of deposit, meaning it would also earn interest along the way. Let’s say Dennis bought a three month certificate of deposit under these conditions for $100,000. At the end of the first month, the certificate would earn $156.67 in interest, which would then be added to the balance of the certificate, making it worth $100,156.67. At the end of the second month, the certificate would earn $156.91 in interest, bringing the balance of the certificate to $100,313.58. At the end of the third month, the certificate would earn $157.16 in interest, at which point the certificate would close. As you can see, compounding monthly is much better than compounding annually.
Buying a certificate of deposit When you go to buy a certificate of deposit, it’s not enough just to know the rate and the term. You also need to know how often it compounds (the more often, the better) and if that compounded money rolls into the balance of the certificate (if it does, that’s better). Although these factors aren’t enough to overcome a large difference in rates, they do make all the difference for small differences in rates.
Dennis, in your situation, if you’re wanting to put your money away for a full year, the one year certificate of deposit is the best option. Buying consecutive three month certificates will not earn you as much as the one year certificate will.
Good luck!
Saved a lot of money!!
It boggles the mind that you are trying to make a big deal over something very small.
Compound interest is a big deal over a very long period of time. In a rising rate environment on a short term CD, its very close to meaningless.
Please, tell me how you can earn more over the next 9 months without risk.
This site needs to make everyone sign in and use the same moniker so that trolls can be more easily exposed and if they had an ignore feature, we could ignore the nonsense.
2.75% and 2.05% is a large difference in rates.
Now, if I buy the 2.75% CD and rates jump to 3.5% next month, the CD will have been a bad buy. That is unlikely to happen.
More likely is a modest increase or even two modest increases over the next 9 months but even assuming 2 increases, it won't make sense to keep your money in a lower paying account. (Like the 2.05% that you or one of your monikers implied was better)
We should all follow TheBombingRange's advice and stop wasting time & energy.
I am leaning toward it for sure. But for how much? Can't start small and buy another.
And, I want to clarify their check out policies. No more Penfed type roach motels for me.
I am unclear if any shared branch will really cut me a check without a fee when this CD ends.
We can safely assume two more .25% rate hikes and more banks cu's getting competitive. So....
I would guess that in 7-8 months, 2.60-2.75% savings accounts will be common.
But our Andrews would be nearing maturity so there is little downside.
Of course, when I bought my NASA 11 monthers at 2.25%, I did not expect the Northern 2.26% to pop up as soon as it did.
My other concern is getting rejected for this or a future deal because of too many new recent accounts.
At first, a penfed rep said an ach from another bank did not have limits but when I got a supervisor, they said they were positive that any ACH over $5k would be rejected. A poster questioned that but I never heard back from them to know if anyone tried it or not.
I have another one maturing on 7/31 so i'd like to be able to ACH it out if possible.
In fact, they emailed me today touting their rates. 2.35% and 3% are not enough for me for 1 or 5 years. When I opened the penfeds, they were not great but at the time, I was just royally ****ed at ally because I gave them the chance to offer me a better deal and they refused on a large sum. So pulling money out was a moral imperative. Even if it wasn't a lot better deal. At that time, i was not actively rate chasing.
---------------------------------
This is a great time to invest in a PenFed Certificate. PenFed's 1-year Money Market Certificate rate is 3.5X higher than the national average* of 0.67% APY, and our 5-year Money Market Certificate rate is now almost 2.5X higher than the national average* of 1.26% APY.
My personal experience is that it is possible to ACH well over $5K from PenFed. Pull it from an external bank.
In regards to the interest rate, my reasoning is the same as yours RJM. I opened the NavyFed 2.25% deal which will mature in March, then this CD will mature in April. Rates will be higher then, as we so clearly have learned from our friends the trolls, but I will be happy to move it into the next best short-term CD deal or a savings account.
I was concerned about that with Nasa but they let me lock in the rate pending funding and with that one, I WAS able to deposit a check at a shared branch. I did one and then I repeated for a 2nd one a few weeks later I think. And they pulled that one before not much longer.
I probably need to try to open one tonight. But, I am unsure of the amount right now.
I see no reason to bother with a $10,005 pull when I am going to open a much larger account.I think I would prefer to fund it with a check especially if I can do it at a local shared branch.
Not going to do the 55 month. Rate not high enough for me.
Called the 800# and its perhaps the worst voice mail hell I have ever experienced. After a dozen prompts, i got them to call me back. Talked to the rep. He says the deal should last thru the end of Sept. but if they ended it sooner they would probably take care of me.
Said I just wait for actual approval in 1-3 days and then when I get an account number, I can drop off a check at a shared branch. In the meantime I guess I can figure out exactly how much I want to put in there.
As mentioned, the money goes into the share account first and the CD can be opened from there.
2 ticky tack things. they required some kind of special password that had to be at least 5 characters and the password had to have at least one letter, one number and one special symbol. That ticks me off.
My only decision left to make is HOW big I want to go with this CD. (I know the max is $250k.)
The exact amount I am going to fund it with is what I am unsure of. I need dry powder for a big stock market decline or correction.
(I do like to link everything to Mint)
Are they open 24/7 or what?
I did not ask if they would pull directly from Northern. Bombing or another poster seemed to think they might via a rep. But their onine system limits you to $10,005. So I did not do that because I would have had to write a check anyway. I did pull the $5 from Ally but I did not open the CD, I backed up & removed it and then finished without funding it. From memory, when I did this at NASA months ago, I was good to go as soon as I got an account number. For a local shared branch I mean.
My plan is to deposit at a local credit union a check hopefully by friday but otherwise probably monday and then call a rep and open the CD. And then I will worry about online access which Bombing has not been able to get yet.
I did not ask about the over the phone pull from Northern because a shared branch is easy and I have northern checks anyway. But when I expressed concern about the deal ending while I waited for the account number he said it was scheduled to be open thru sept 30 and he said if it were to end sooner they would probably give it to me anyway.
I got 3 emails after applying but I don't think I am 100% approved yet. But hopefully will be soon. I figure the worst case would be monday if there is a delay getting my member number.
I joined ACC a year and a half ago for the 84mo Andrews CD. I have not received any spam from ACC in all that time.
I kind of blew it off because I thought I would be signing up for a cold call. But I guess we could give a fake number.
https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/personal-capital-review-sign-up-bonus/
Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .
Can anyone clarify if that is the case?
Kicking myself for not asking that yesterday.
I need to do the math to see if its worth paying a wire out fee. If they will even do that.
I just I guess finished signing up for online access. My application is still pending.
Just requested a call back.
POSTED ON FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018 BY Ken Tumin
Deal Summary: 9-month Promotional Certificate, 3.00% APY, new money, $5k min/$250k max deposit.
Availability: Residents of Huron and Crawford Counties, Ohio, and of portions of Erie, Sandusky, and Seneca Counties, Ohio.
And last I looked, 7 year brokered paid 3.50%.
This 3% deal has me rethinking the 2.75% deal. If my email would have came a few hours earlier, I might have already funded it with a large amount. Now, I am either not going to do it at all or do it for a significantly lower amount.
My prior thinking was the 2.75% would be a top rate for 4-5 months anyway. Now, Its blown out of the water by the Firelands deal.
So about 45 hours.
I'm guessing the weekend is what is slowing yours down.
When calling, press "1-3-1-2" to talk to someone will save a bunch of frustration.
I did not make my deposit today because I still have not decided exactly how much I want to deposit.
I fear as soon as I open the account, something better will come along and make me regret it.
So, I will probably opt for a middling or moderate amount.
I have CDs maturing on 7/31 and more around the end/first of the year and then a large amounts from Nasa on 1/20 and 2/5. And by that time savings accounts should be paying 2.75%.
And maybe by then, longer term CD rates will rise. I would not mind a 3-4-5 year term if there is a decent premium. Maybe a ladder with 3, 4 and 5 year terms?
Speaking of bad CD deals. A year ago today, I bought a brokered 5 year at 2.2%. SMH.
It is valued at .971. (A 2.9% discount)
Not selling it but it was a bad purchase.
Still not sure how big I want to go on this 2.75% deal.
If we have 2 more quarter point raises, its reasonable to think a top savings account might pay 2.75% and a 9 month CD 3.25%.
The alternative to buying CDs is to buy high dividend paying stocks and given my age, that is probably the smarter move. I own some but the dollar value is dwarfed by what I have in cash/cd's.
Set up online banking but its not letting me open the cd because the money is not available yet. 2 day hold.
Set it up at Mint.
Hope they call back soon.
Here is where it says its supposed to be good thru 9/30... (subject to change)
9 Month Share Certificate SpecialGet one of our best rates for a shorter term. Open a new 9 Month Share Certificate and get 2.75% APY*.
*APY available for a limited time only and may change at any time. APY effective July 5, 2018, is 2.75%; interest rate is 2.722%. Certificate has a $1,000 minimum and a $250,000 maximum balance. Must maintain a minimum $1,000 balance to earn the advertised APY. At maturity, all 9 Month Certificates will automatically renew at the 12 Month share certificate rate and term. Each individual member limited to one Special 9 Month Certificate during the promotional period. Deposits are insured up to at least $250,000 per individual depositor by NCUA.
Offer valid 07/05/2018 - 09/30/2018 (subject to change). Limit 1 per member. Mimimum 1,000.00 deposit required to open.
You should be able to open your cd from your online account. At the very bottom of the page on the below Andrews link explains how you can open your 9 month special cd from your online account by clicking the options and extras tab and then clicking open an additional account.
https://www.andrewsfcu.org/easy-ways-to-fund-your-share-certificate.html
They opened the CD today rather than yesterday. I asked for it to be backdated to yesterday because of their inability to answer the phone or return calls. She said she forwarded it to someone. The difference between 2.75% and .31% is more than a few pennies on my CD amount. I don't think that is an unreasonable request given I have never before experienced a credit union where they did not answer the phone or return calls all day.
I did not have any problem except when I tried to transfer it from the share to open the cd. It showed like an 11 day hold. The lady at the cu I deposited it said it would be a 2 day hold.
And then of course all day yesterday they did not answer the phone or return my calls. And have not heard back since 6:35 am on my backdate request.
If they actually answer the phone.
My secure message from yesterday is is the only reason I am not on hold with you.
They opened the CD from that...the next day and $10 in lost interest later. Good thing I put "urgent' on the message. Otherwise, it might be next month. LOL
I think we earn 2.75% from the day of deposit. Although for me, I only got .31% yesterday unless they backdate it for me.
The hold does not affect interest. It just means we can't withdraw it.
And the end of last year, I locked in what I thought was a good 1 year rate at 2%.
Now, its less than many savings accounts pay.
Deposit and Loan Rates
Last Dividend Date....... --/--/----
Open Date................ 07/18/2018
Maturity Date............ 04/18/2019
Last Statement Date...... 07/17/2018
Reg D Transfer Count..... 0
Reg D Check Count........ 0
------
In other news, my CD is not showing up on Mint like it automatically does for every other bank & credit union. It seems the share account as a suffix of S0000 and the CD has a suffix of S0100. But, I did not enter the suffixes.
I hope that corrects itself. Nowhere else have I ever had to do that.
In other news, I did NOT hear back from them on my request to have the CD backdated by a day.
I hope it does not require a BBB complaint.
I REALLY hate having to change passwords every 6 months. Do they confiscate the $5 if you don't have annual activity?
I will probably close it out after the CD matures unless they have another great rate.