We Florida Financial Has Rate-Leading 13-Month Add-On CD Special
We Florida Financial (We Florida) is currently offering a 13-month CD Special earning 5.35% APY. The minimum opening deposit is $500, with no stated balance cap. A 13-month Jumbo CD Special ($50k minimum deposit) is also available, but it earns the same 5.35% APY.
The 13-month CD Special and Jumbo CD Special are available as IRA CD/CD Specials (Traditional, Roth, CESA), earning the same APY with the same deposit requirements, except for the 13-month Jumbo IRA CD Special.
Add-On Feature
All We Florida CD/Jumbo CDs (Regular and Special) are add-on CDs. According to the Truth-in-Savings disclosure,
- Deposits can be made to a certificate any time during the term and will not change the interest rate or maturity date of the account.
- Deposits become part of the principal balance.
- There is a minimum deposit amount of $250.
- We reserve the right to limit the maximum dollar amount for any certificate account, per member.
I asked for an explanation of “We reserve the right to limit the maximum dollar amount,” but CSR was unable to provide one, other than to say it was determined on a “case-by-case” basis.
Early Withdrawal Penalty
As stated in the Truth-in-Savings disclosure,
- A penalty may be imposed for each withdrawal of principal before a maturity date. The penalty amount is calculated on the principal amount withdrawn at the nominal (simple) interest rate being paid on the account at the time of withdrawal regardless of the length of time the funds have been on deposit.
- The penalty is equal to all interest earned on the amount withdrawn not to exceed ninety (90) days interest for certificates with a term of 12 months or less or one hundred and eighty (180) days interest for accounts with a term of more than 12 months.
- The early withdrawal penalty may require a reduction in the principal sum on deposit.
- Any withdrawal that would reduce the balance remaining in the account below such minimum is treated as a withdrawal of the entire account balance and recalculates the amount of the penalty accordingly.
Availability
Headquartered in Margate, We Florida Financial’s field of membership (FOM) includes individuals who live or work in any of the following 46 Florida counties:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, and Volusia.
Family members and household members of an existing We Florida Financial member are also eligible to join.
The third eligibility option on the online application reads, “I am a licensed professional in the State of Florida.”
Also eligible to join are employees/members of the three following aviation associations: American Flyers (students and employees), AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, members and employees), and Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA).
Account Opening
Joining We Florida and/or opening a 13-month Certificate Special can be done online, or in person at any of six Florida branches located in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, North Miami, Pembroke Pines, and Sunrise. While We Florida’s FOM includes nearly 70% of all Florida counties, its branch locations are positioned on the Atlantic coast, from North Miami Beach to Margate. You can also initiate the application process by phone (954.745.2400).
Opening a Personal Savings account with a minimum $5 deposit establishes a We Florida membership.
We Florida participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network. While not participating in the CO-OP ATM network, We Florida members receive five free Publix Presto! ATM transactions per month.
Funding and Other Particulars
The following information is from the We Florida website and a conversation with CSR.
- Funding – ACH, wire, check, internal transfer, Share Branch transaction.
- Ownership – Individual, joint, or trust.
- CO-OP Shared Branch Network – Yes.
- Dividends – Compounded monthly/credited monthly and at maturity. “Interest can remain in the account to compound or transfer monthly into another [We Florida] account.”
- Maturing Funds – Internal transfer into a We Florida Personal Savings account.
- Grace Period – 7 calendar days before automatic renewal as a 12-month Certificate at the then current rate.
- Beneficiaries – Unlimited, with equal shares; Social Security numbers required for all beneficiaries.
- Credit Check – Soft pull using Equifax.
Credit Union Overview
We Florida Financial has an overall health grade of "B+" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 8.00% (excellent) based on September 30, 2023 data. In the past year, We Florida has increased its total non-brokered deposits by $52.58 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 8.56%. Please refer to our financial overview of We Florida Financial (NCUA Charter # 61525) for more details.
We Florida Financial was established in 1952 as the City County Credit Union (CCCU), serving municipal employees in the Fort Lauderdale area. Like so many other occupational-affiliated credit unions, CCCU recognized the need and desirability of diversifying its member demographic, and in the early 2000s took the first steps toward expansion. In 2014, the Credit Union rebranded as We Florida Financial, reflecting “the Credit Union’s commitment to serve a larger and diverse community.” About eight years ago, We Florida merged with Pembroke Pines-based Peoples Credit Union and is now the 32nd largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with more than 46,000 members and assets in excess of $803 million.
How the 13-Month CD Special Compares
When compared to the nationally available Add On CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that have term lengths of at least 12 months, require a similar minimum deposit ($5k or less), and do not have a low balance cap, no bank or credit union offers a higher rate than currently offered on the We Florida Financial 13-month CD Special. The following table compares the 13-month CD Special to the four highest-rate add-on CDs from other banks and credit unions within the market area.
The above information and rates are accurate as of 2/24/2024.
To look for the best CD rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our CD Rates Table page.