Superior Choice Credit Union Boosts 5-Year CD Rate
Wisconsin-based Superior Choice Credit Union (SCCU) raised the rates on the vast majority of its Share Certificates, with the 5-year having the most competitive rates. SCCU offers tiered APYs on all its Share Certificates based on minimum deposits of $2.5k, $10k, $25k, $50k, and $100k.
The 5-year Share Certificate is also available as an IRA Share Certificate (Traditional, Roth) earning the same tiered APY, with the same deposit requirements.
The Disclosures document is not currently active on the website, but CSR sent me a screen shot of the Early Withdrawal Penalty.
We may impose a penalty if you withdraw the funds before the maturity date unless proceeds are used for a down payment on a loan at SCCU. The penalty will equal the forfeiture of all dividends earned to date or 180 days’ dividends on the amount withdrawn and may result in the loss of some principal, whichever is greater.
If this harsh Early Withdrawal Penalty and long term concern you, SCCU's 1-year Share Certificate is an option. Its rates also had sizable gains, with a competitive Jumbo rate of 0.80% ($100k minimum.)
Funding a Share Certificate can be done by ACH or wire transfer, or through an internal transfer from a SCCU checking or savings account. SCCU participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network, making the transfer of funds relatively easy.
Maturing funds can be distributed through a wire transfer, a check to the address on file, or transferred into a SCCU liquid account. There is a ten business day grace period before a Share Certificate will automatically renew.
Availability
Headquartered in Superior, Wisconsin (on the shores of Lake Superior), Superior Choice Credit Union’s field of membership (FOM) provides a way for almost any U.S. citizen or resident alien to join.
Easy membership – members of the American Consumer Council ($8 fee) or the Douglas County Historical Society ($30 one-year membership) are eligible to join SCCU, regardless of where they reside.
In an email, a SCCU Financial Specialist stated,
To open a membership savings account, you can apply online through our website and select any county for eligibility. We will then follow up for proof of American Consumer Membership to move forward.
Residency: – Individuals who live or work in the Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Clark, Chippewa, Douglas, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, or Washburn are eligible to join.
Individuals who live or work in the Minnesota counties of Carlton, Itasca, or St. Louis also qualify for membership.
Other: – Depositors and/or borrowers of Dairyland State Bank as of the 2018 purchase and assumption by SCCU are also eligible to join.
Joining SCCU can be done online, or at any of six Wisconsin branches located in Ashland, Bruce, Gilman, Mellen and Superior (2), or the two Minnesota branches located in Duluth and Hermantown.
Become a member at Superior Choice Credit Union by opening a Membership Savings account. With a minimum balance of only $5, you can open a basic savings account to start building your savings and earning dividends to achieve your financial goals faster.
Opening a CD can be done at any of the above-mentioned branch locations. While existing members can open a CD online directly, those applying for membership must be approved before opening a CD online or over the phone.
SCCU participates in both the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM networks.
Traveling somewhere without an SCCU branch? No problem! You can access your Superior Choice Credit Union account at more than 5,000 shared branch credit union locations around the nation.
Credit Union Overview
Superior Choice Credit Union has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas ratio of 6.71% (excellent) based on September 30, 2021 data. In the past year, SCCU has increased its total deposits by $63.37 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 14.67%. Please refer to our financial overview of Superior Choice Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 67173) for more details.
Established in 1932, the original Co-op Credit Union was housed in a grocery store, with 26 members and less than $100 in deposits. The first re-brand occurred in 1967, when the credit union became known as Superior Community Credit Union. In 1996 and 1998, mergers with Chequamegon Credit Union and Marathon-Ashland Credit Union were finalized, expanding the FOM and leading toward the Superior Choice Credit Union rebrand. In an unusual move, SCCU acquired Dairyland State Bank in 2018. Currently the 18th largest credit union headquartered in Wisconsin, SCCU has nearly 28,000 members and assets in excess of $599 million.
How the Share Certificate Compares
When compared to the similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com, that are available nationwide, Superior Choice Credit Union's 5-year Share Certificate top APY shares the top spot with Michigan State University Federal Credit Union’s 5-year Jumbo CD.
The above information and rates are accurate as of 12/20/2021.
To look for the best CD rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our CD Rates Table page.