Kentucky Telco CU Adds Very Competitive CD Specials

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen, what we at DA call, “wow-worthy” rates. That changed today with the introduction of Kentucky Telco Credit Union’s (Kentucky Telco) new 15-, 27-, and 45-month Certificate Specials.

Each term length has two rate tiers, which are based on deposit amounts. The lower APYs require a minimum $10k of new money, but the fine print states,

Deposits to this account cannot be made with transfers from other Kentucky Telco accounts,
maturing certificates, or funds withdrawn from Kentucky Telco accounts in the last 30 days,
unless an additional $10,000 in is funds transferred from another financial institution are included.

The higher APYs (a bonus of 0.15%) are a limited-time offer on Certificate Specials opened by June 18, 2016. These require a minimum deposit of $50k, and a minimum of $25k must be new money.

As stated in the Truth In Savings Disclosure, the Early Withdrawal Penalty reads as follows:

Term of >1 year up to 3 years -- greater of $50 or 180 days dividend on the amount withdrawn not to exceed total dividends accrued and/or paid.
Term of >3 years up to 5 years -- greater of $50 or 365 days dividend on the amount withdrawn not to exceed total dividends accrued and/or paid.

Thanks to DA reader, Carpline, for his Forum post about these Certificate Specials.

Availability

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky Telco Credit Union’s field of membership is primarily residency based, with individuals who work, live, worship, volunteer, or attend school in the following Kentucky counties eligible to join:

Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Bullitt, Clark, Daviess, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Oldham, Powell, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, and Woodford.

Kentucky Telco also offers membership to employees of over 700 Select Employee Groups.

Joining Kentucky Telco and/or opening a Certificate Special can be done at any of ten Kentucky branches located in Lexington, Louisville (8), and Owensboro. The Credit Union’s Enrollment Form is available as a PDF download to facilitate the application process.

Credit Union Overview

Kentucky Telco Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 68666) has an overall health grade of "A+" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 2.98% (excellent) based on December 31, 2015 data. Kentucky Telco has an excellent capitalization level of 11.95%, a result of holding $351.19 million in assets with $41.98 million in equity. Please refer to our financial overview of Kentucky Telco Credit Union for more details.

Established in 1934, Kentucky Telco Credit Union was created for the benefit of Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph employees in Louisville. In the 1990s, changes in the federal field of membership regulations allowed Kentucky Telco to extend membership to hundreds of SEGs. Less than six months ago, Kentucky Telco’s members voted to convert to a state charter, further expanding the field of membership. Today, Kentucky Telco is the 7th largest credit union in the state, with more than 42,800 members and assets in excess of $351 million.

How the Certificate Specials Compare

When compared to the similar length-of-term CDs tracked by DepositAccounts.com that are available to residents of Kentucky, Kentucky Telco Credit Union’s Certificate Specials have very little, if any, competition, regardless of minimum deposit.

The above rates are accurate as of 5/27/2016.

To look for the best CD rates, both nationwide and in your state, please refer to our CD rates table, or our new Rates Map page.