This Year’s Savings Deals We Can Be Thankful For
Best Bank Account Interest Rates - Summary For November 23, 2021
Federal Reserve, the Economy and CD Rate Forecast - November 23, 2021CD Rates Summary - November 16, 2021
The CD rate increases at Capital One and Barclays are promising for savers who have seen online CD rates fall to record lows in the last year. The new rates are nothing to get excited about (especially considering rising inflation), but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Earlier this month, Barclays finally became competitive again with its online CDs. Since January, the rates on all of Barclays online CDs with terms of one to five years have remained at 0.25%. During this time, the 1-year online CD average rate has ranged from 0.44% to 0.48% and the 5-year online CD average rate has ranged from 0.65% to 0.71%. Barclays' new rates now range from 0.55% (1-year term) to 0.80% (5-year term), which are a little above the averages.
Capital One’s long-term CDs had become competitive in July. With the latest rate increases, Capital One’s long-term CD rates are now close to the online bank leaders. The new APYs range from 0.70% (24- and 30-month terms) to 1.00% (60-month term). Unfortunately, the shorter-term CDs remain uncompetitive with APYs ranging from 0.10% (6- and 9-month terms) to 0.25% (18-month term).
Sallie Mae Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs increased the rates of just one of their CDs.
Sallie Mae Bank’s 5-year CD rate increased from 0.45% to 0.80%. Sallie Mae Bank had increased rates on several of its shorter-term CDs earlier this year. For some reason, it delayed returning the 5-year rate to a competitive level.
On the other end of the yield curve, Marcus by Goldman Sachs increased its 9-month CD rate from 0.25% to 0.55%. This move appears to have been done for marketing purposes to help it compete with short-term CDs at other online banks.
Competing with other online banks may explain the recent rate changes at Live Oak Bank. In late September, Live Oak Bank increased its 12-, 18- and 24-month CD rates to 0.75%. This was a very competitive rate, especially for the 12-month CD. It probably attracted deposits away from other online banks, and that may explain Live Oak lowering these rates down to 0.65%.
We are also seeing quite a few rate hikes at credit unions. Like the online banks, the longer-term CDs had the most rate increases.
Three noteworthy long-term CD rate increases occurred at Michigan State University FCU (5y Jumbo 1.35% → 1.40% APY), at Genisys Credit Union (5y 1.00% → 1.25% APY), and at Connexus Credit Union (5y 1.06% → 1.21% APY).
One credit union lowered the rates of its CD specials, which had been very competitive. Like Live Oak Bank, the credit union may have decided its specials had been successful at attracting needed deposits. It’s Abound Credit Union, and the rate cuts impacted its 47-month Special (1.30% → 1.15% APY) and its 23-month Special (0.95% → 0.85% APY). Its 59-month CD also had a rate cut (1.35% → 1.25%).
Noteworthy CD rate changes from the last two weeks are included below (All percentages are APYs).
I’ve separated them into three groups: 1) the popular banks, 2) the less well-known banks that have been rate leaders, and 3) the credit unions with easy membership requirements.
Popular Online Banks:
- Capital One (5y 0.80% → 1.00%, 3y 0.60% → 0.75%, 2y 0.25% → 0.70%)
- Sallie Mae Bank (5y 0.45% → 0.80%)
- Barclays (5y 0.25% → 0.80%, 3y 0.25% → 0.70%, 1y 0.25% → 0.55%)
- Live Oak Bank (2y 0.75% → 0.65%, 1y 0.75% → 0.65%)
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs (9m 0.25% → 0.55%)
Less well-known banks that have been rate leaders in the past:
- Third Federal Savings & Loan (55m Spc 1.00% → 0.80%, 23m Spc 0.30% → 0.25%)
- MY Safra Bank (3y 0.61% → 0.71%)
Credit unions that have easy membership requirements:
- Michigan State University FCU (5y Jbo 1.35% → 1.40%, 2y Jbo 0.75% → 0.80%)
- Abound CU (59m 1.35% → 1.25%, 47m Spc 1.30% → 1.15%, 23m Spc 0.95% → 0.85%)
- Genisys CU (5y 1.00% → 1.25%, 1y 0.45% → 0.50%)
- Connexus CU (5y 1.06% → 1.21%, 4y 0.91% → 1.06%)
- Latino CU (5y 0.65% → 1.10%, 3y 0.55% → 0.90, 18m 0.40% → 0.45%)
- AgFed CU (5y 1.10% → 1.15%, 3y 0.85% → 0.90%, 18m 0.45% → 0.50%)
- AFFCU (7y 0.90% → 1.00%, 5y 0.70% → 0.80%, 6m 0.15% → 0.20%)
- Spectrum CU (5y 0.80% → 0.90%, 4y 0.70% → 0.80%)
- Pen Air FCU (5y 0.80% → 0.85%, 1y 0.50% → 0.55%)
- Credit Human CU (2y 0.65% → 0.75%, 18m 0.60% → 0.70%, 1y 0.40% → 0.45%)
- United States Senate FCU (5y 0.44% → 0.41%, 3y 0.40% → 0.35%, 1y 0.29% → 0.28%)
Brokered CD Rates
This was another week with no non-callable 10-year brokered CDs at both Fidelity and Vanguard. The top callable 10-year rate was 1.80%. This rate was listed for Celtic Bank at both Fidelity and Vanguard. Goldman Sachs Bank was also offering a 10-year callable CD at both brokerage firms (1.50%).
The 7-year non-callable CDs were available at both Fidelity and Vanguard. Fidelity still has the highest rate at 1.25%. Vanguard’s highest 7-year rate was only 1.00%, a slight increase from two weeks ago.
Long-term brokered CD rates have been disappointing since State Bank of India stopped issuing its 10-year and 7-year non-callable CDs. In July, State Bank of India had issued a 1.35% 7-year CD and a 1.80% 10-year CD. These had been issued at both Fidelity and Vanguard. Rates from other issuers for these terms have been much lower.
Top non-callable brokered CDs with terms from two to five years had no rate changes at Vanguard from two weeks ago. The top rates range from 0.50% (2-year) to 1.15% (5-year). At Fidelity, rate changes were mixed. The 5-year rate fell 5 bps to 1.15%, the 4-year rate increased 10 bps to 1.00%, and the 3-year rate increased 5 bps to 0.80%. The 2-year rate remained unchanged (0.50%).
Most of the rate increases occurred on the short end. At both Fidelity and Vanguard, the top short-term brokered CD rates (terms from 3- to 18-months) had gains from 5 to 10 bps.The new top rates range from 0.12% for the 3-month CD to 0.35% for the 18-month CD. These top short-term CD rates are still low compared to direct CD rates at online banks, but a few more gains like these will move them close to the direct CD rates.
The callable feature gives the bank the right to redeem a CD early. That can save the bank money when interest rates fall. However, the CD holder loses out if rates fall and the CD is called early. When banks offer more callable long-term CDs, it’s a sign that they think rates are heading down. When the number of callable long-term CDs decline, banks may think rates have reached a bottom and will eventually be rising.
Brokered CD rates often follow Treasury yields. Direct CD rates will often follow brokered CD rates with some lag.
Falling brokered CD rates was a trend that began in November 2018 when the top 5-year rates reached as high as 3.60%. However, that trend may be over. In 2021, long-term brokered CD rates have generally been on the rise.
Direct CD Rates and Deals
Advancial’s Jumbo Certificates remain rate leaders for terms of under one year to five years. The November Jumbo CD yields range from 0.92% for a 6-month term to 2.23% for a 5-year term. Advancial used to be an “easy membership requirement” credit union in which you could qualify for membership by joining the Connex association. That has ended. However, there may be another association that can be joined to gain Advancial membership. According to a CSR, being a member of the United States Dog Agility "technically" qualifies for Advancial membership. If this works, it may not last long. Advancial has a history of changing its mind on associations. Also, Advancial has a history of not being welcoming to new members who are interested in their CDs as opposed to their loans.
For CDs that are nationally available (without any membership limitations), the highest yield continues to be 1.60%. This is available at NASA FCU, which increased the yield of its 49-month CD Special from 1.35% to 1.60% in November. That moved it ahead of PenFed’s 7-year CD (1.50% APY). NASA FCU also increased its shorter-term CD Specials. The rate of its 15-month CD Special increased 35 bps to 1.00% APY, and the rate of its 9-month CD Special increased 15 bps to 0.75% APY.
The 5-year Jumbo CD rate increase (1.35% → 1.40% APY) at Michigan State University FCU has moved the 5-year Jumbo CD into first place for the nationally-available 5-year category. Its 4-year Jumbo CD (1.25% APY) is in second place (behind NASA FCU) in the 4-year category.
For banks, the highest nationally available CD rate regardless of maturity length remains 1.30% APY (7-year term) at First National Bank of America. It also has a top 5-year CD rate for a bank (1.20% APY).
For the 3-year category, Hughes Federal Credit Union continues to have the top spot with a 1.21% APY on its 3-year Jumbo CD ($99k minimum). It has a 1.11% APY for a $1k minimum deposit.
Quontic Bank remains the 3-year rate leader for banks with a 1.00% APY.
For the 2-year category, Hughes Federal Credit Union’s 29-month CD continues to hold the top spot with a 1.11% APY ($99k minimum).
For the 18-month category, Lafayette FCU’s Special 20-month CD continues to be far out in front with a 2.02% APY on deposits up to $100k. However, this CD Special is only available for existing members.
NASA FCU now takes over as the best rate for the 18-month category with a 1.00% APY on a 15-month term. Minimum deposit is $10k.
Consumers Credit Union continues to have a 20-month CD Special with a yield of up to 1.00%. This requires a very large $250k minimum deposit. For a $100k minimum, the rate drops to 0.90%, and for a $250 minimum, the rate drops to 0.80%.
For 1-year terms, EFCU Financial has the top spot with a 12-month Jumbo CD (0.90% APY for a $100k minimum). The best 1-year rate for small deposits is 0.85% APY. USALLIANCE Financial. Minimum deposit is only $500.
Due to the rate cut, Live Oak Bank’s 1-year CD lost the top spot for banks. CFG Bank now holds the top spot with a 0.67% APY (Live Oak Bank's new rate of 0.65% isn’t far behind.)
For terms under one year, Veridian Credit Union’s 9-month Jumbo CD (0.85%) and EFCU Financial’s 6-month Jumbo CD (0.85%) share the top spot. NASA FCU’s 9-month CD Special (0.75%) is the highest rate for small deposits ($10k minimum). Luana Savings Bank’s Jumbo 6-month CD Special (0.75%) continues to be a rate leader for banks.
New Category - Nationally Available Add-On CDs
In August, a new category for nationally available add-on CDs was added near the bottom of the tables. These are CDs in which you can make one or more additional deposits during the term.
The best deal continues to be the 42-month promotional add-on CD at Achieva Credit Union. For a minimum deposit of $500, the rate is 0.95%. The rate is 1.05% for a $75k minimum deposit. The CD allows unlimited additional deposits throughout the term, with maximum total add-on deposits limited to $1 million.
The best add-on CDs have long terms, small minimum deposits, no maximum initial deposits and allow add-on deposits with no limits on the number of deposits or the size of deposits. These types of add-on CDs can be a great hedge against a long low-rate environment in which rates stay low or fall even lower. Deposit the minimum, and use the add-on CD as a back-up CD when your other CDs mature. If you can’t find a higher rate when the CD matures, you can always deposit the funds into the add-on CD.
Note, add-on CDs do have a risk that the institution could refuse to allow add-on deposits or may limit the amount of add-on deposits in contradiction to the original CD disclosure. A few credit unions in the past have failed to honor their add-on terms. I described one example in this 2014 blog post.
Savings and Money Market Accounts
Only two institutions continue to offer liquid accounts with yields of at least 1.00% without any small maximum balance, activity/checking requirements or unusual withdrawal limitations. There was a short period when a new online bank (ZYNLO Bank) was offering 1.25% APY on a new online money market account. The promo ended in March, and now only the standard rate is available (0.80% APY).
The first is the fintech M1 Finance. This is a brokerage firm and robo-advisor which also offers a checking account called M1 Spend. M1 Finance has partnered with Lincoln Savings Bank which holds the deposits and allows deposits to be FDIC insured. The Spend account has two options: basic and plus. The basic account offers no interest. The plus account offers 1% APY on all balances. The downside with M1 Plus is a $125-per-year maintenance fee that can’t be waived (they’re now waiving this fee for the first year.)
The second one is the fintech T-Mobile Money. It has partnered with a bank (Customers Bank) to hold the deposits in an FDIC-insured account. Its checking account offers 1.00% APY on all balances without any activity requirements.
Advancial Credit Union used to be in this group with its Premium Money Market account that had a 1.01% APY for a $100k minimum balance. This rate fell to 0.81% in October.
For more details about these three accounts, please refer to my latest liquid account summary.
Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Summary
The Fed and economy review is now split off on a separate blog post. My weekly summaries will now be focused entirely on deposit rates and deals. Please keep all discussion about the Fed, the economy and politics to my Fed/Economy review blog post.
Here's the link to last week's savings/checking account summary. You can always get the latest rates for savings/checking accounts and CDs by using our rate tables, available via the navigational menu on top.
Yields Accurate as of November 16, 2021
Under 1-Year CD Rates
| Institution | Rates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advancial | 0.92% ($50k) 6-month Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past |
| Veridian Credit Union | 0.85% ($100k), 0.75% ($1k) 9-month Jumbo CD Special | Easy membership See review |
| EFCU Financial | 0.85% ($100k) 6-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| NASA Federal Credit Union | 0.75% ($10k) 9-month Share Certificate Special | Easy membership Account review |
| Luana Savings Bank | 0.75% ($100k), 0.65% ($50k) 6-month Certificate Special | Account review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 0.70% ($500) 7-month Fixed CD | Easy membership Account review |
| CommunityWide Federal Credit Union | 0.70% ($1k) 6-month Share Certificate | Easy membership Account review |
| CFG Bank | 0.62% ($500) 13-month Penalty Free CD | Account review |
| USALLIANCE Financial | 0.55% ($500) 11-month No-Penalty CD | Easy membership Account review |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 0.55% ($500) 8-month No-Penalty CD | Available to active AAPR members only Account review |
| BankDirect | 0.50% ($10k) 6-month CD | Account review |
| Ally Bank | 0.50% ($25k) 11-month No-Penalty CD | Account review |
| Quontic Bank | 0.45% ($500) 6-month CD | Account review |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 0.45% ($500) 7-month No-Penalty CD | Account review |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 0.35% ($500) 11-month No-Penalty CD | Account review |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.20% (APR) 9-month non-callable CD | Issued by BoC, SBoI* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.20% (APR) 7-9 month non-callable CD | Issued by BoC, SBoIIL* |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.20% (APR) 6-month non-callable CD | Issued by BoC* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.20% (APR) 4-6 month non-callable CD | Issued by BoC* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.12% (APR) 1-3 month non-callable CD | Issued by NOPB* |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.12% (APR) 3-month non-callable CD | Issued by NOPB, SACO* |
Noteworthy Local Deals - Under 1-Year CDs
| Cooperative Teachers Credit Union | 1.55% ($1k) 3-month CD Special | 6 Texas counties See review |
| OU Federal Credit Union | 1.51% ($1k) 6-month Share Certificate | Faculty, staff, students of Oklahoma University; members of Oklahoma University Alumni Association |
| Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union | 1.10% ($75k), 1.01% ($500) 8-month CD | Relationship w/Ukrainian churches and cultural organizations in Philadelphia area See review |
| Security First Credit Union | 0.80% ($100k), 0.75% ($50k), 0.70% ($25k), 0.60% ($500) 6-month CD | Rio Grande Valley, Texas See review |
| TTCU | 0.75% ($100k) 6-month Income CD | Education industry in 14 Oklahoma counties |
| Tinker Federal Credit Union | 0.75% ($99k), 0.70% ($50k), 0.65% ($25k) 6-month Share Certificate (**NTS) | 3 Oklahoma counties, military relationship See review |
1-Year CD Rates
| Advancial | 1.04% ($50k) 1-year Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| EFCU Financial | 0.90% ($100k) 12-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| USALLIANCE Financial | 0.85% ($500) 12-month Certificate Special | Easy membership Account review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 0.80% ($500) 1-year Fixed CD | Easy membership Account review |
| CommunityWide Federal Credit Union | 0.75% ($1k) 12-month Share Certificate | Easy membership Account review |
| Hughes Federal Credit Union | 0.75% ($99k) 12-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Interior Federal Credit Union | 0.71% ($500) 12-month Share Certificate | Easy membership See review |
| CFG Bank | 0.67% ($500) 12-month CD | Account review |
| Comenity Direct | 0.65% ($1.5k) 1-year CD | Account review |
| Live Oak Bank | 0.65% ($2.5k) 1-year CD | Account review |
| Merrick Bank | 0.65% ($25k) 12-month CD | Account review |
| SBT (State Bank of Texas) | 0.65% (100k), 0.55% ($25k) 12-month CD | Account review |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.25% (APR) 1-year non-callable CD | Issued by BoC, SBoI* |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.25% (APR) 1-year non-callable CD | Issued by BoC* |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 1-Year CDs
| Schools Federal Credit Union | 2.50% APY ($5k min/$50k max; additional deposits throughout term up to $50k max) Special 12-month Relationship CD | Employees and students of Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles Community College District |
| TEXAR Federal Credit Union | 1.20% ($1k) 12-month Share Certificate | 4 Texas and 2 Arkansas counties See review |
| Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union | 1.11% ($75k), 1.01% ($500) 13-month CD | Relationship w/Ukrainian churches and cultural organizations in Philadelphia area See review |
| Navy Army Community Credit Union | 1.10% ($100k) 1-year Jumbo CD | 8 Texas counties See review |
| Keesler Federal Credit Union | 1.05% ($25) 1-year FirstStep CD | Easy membership in AL, LA, and MS See review |
| Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union | 1.00% ($500) 12-month Share Certificate (**NTS) | 3 Texas counties |
18-month CD Rates
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 2.02% ($500/$100k) 20-month Special Thanksgiving Share Certificate | Easy membership, but only available to current members Account review |
| Advancial | 1.26% ($50k) 18-month Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| Christian Community Credit Union | 1.00% ($500 min/10k max) 18-month New Member Welcome Certificate | Easy membership w/religious affiliation Account review |
| NASA Federal Credit Union | 1.00% ($10k) 15-month Share Certificate Special | Easy membership Account review |
| Consumers Credit Union (IL) | 1.00% ($250k) 20-month Super Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Veridian Credit Union | 0.90% ($100k), 0.80% ($1k) 18-month Jumbo CD Special | Easy membership See review |
| USALLIANCE Financial | 0.85% ($500) 18-month Certificate Special | Easy membership Account review |
| NexBank | 0.75% ($10k) 18-month CD | Account review |
| CFG Bank | 0.70% ($500) 18-month CD | Account review |
| Synchrony Bank | 0.70% ($2k) 18-month CD (**NTS) | Account review |
| First Internet Bank | 0.65% ($1k) 18-month CD | Account review |
| Sallie Mae Bank | 0.65% (2.5k) 18-month CD | Account review |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.35% (APR) 18-month non-callable CD | Issued by GSB, SYN* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.25% (APR) 13-18 month non-callable CD | Issued by GSB, ISDB, SYN* |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 18-Month CDs
| Achieva Credit Union | 1.50% ($50 min/$5k max) 15-month Promotional CD | Available only in Florida See review |
| TEXAR Federal Credit Union | 1.25% ($1k) 18-month Share Certificate | 4 Texas and 2 Arkansas counties See review |
| Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union | 1.16% ($500) 18-month Share Certificate | 3 Texas counties |
| Energy Capital Credit Union | 1.06% ($1k) 18-month CD | Houston, Texas area See review |
| Community First Credit Union | 1.06% ($10k) 16-month CD Special (**NTS) | 13 NE Wisconsin counties See review |
| First United Credit Union | 1.05% ($500) 18-month Certificate Special | Easy membership in Michigan See review |
2-Year CD Rates
| Advancial | 1.47% ($50k) 2-year Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| Hughes Federal Credit Union | 1.11% ($99k) 29-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Langley Federal Credit Union | 1.00% ($1k/$25k) 21 Month Promo Certificate | Easy membership, but CD is only available to current members and new members in DC, MD, NC, and VA See review |
| EFCU Financial | 1.00% ($100k) 24-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 0.90% ($500) 2-year Fixed CD | Easy membership Account review |
| Barksdale Federal Credit Union | 0.90% ($1k) 24-month Certificate | Military relationship See review |
| Abound Credit Union | 0.85% ($500) 23-month CD Special | Easy membership (formerly Fort Knox Federal Credit Union) Account review |
| Merrick Bank | 0.80% ($25k) 24-month CD | Account review |
| Quontic Bank | 0.75% ($500) 2-year CD | Account review |
| First National Bank of America | 0.75% ($1k) 24-35 month CD | Account review |
| NexBank | 0.75% ($10k) 24-month CD | Account review |
| Capital One | 0.70% (no min) 24-month 360 CD (**NTS) | Account review |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.50% (APR) 2-year non-callable CD | Issued by GSB, SBoI, SYN* |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.50% (APR) 2-year non-callable CD | Issued by GSB, SYN* |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 2-Year CDs
| La Joya Area Credit Union | 1.26% ($1k) 24-month CD | Hildago County, Texas |
| First United Credit Union | 1.25% ($500) 24-month Certificate Special | Easy membership in Michigan See review |
| Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union | 1.25% ($25k), 0.75% ($10k), 0.65% ($1k) 24-month Share Certificate | City of Chicago employees; portions of Cook County |
| Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union | 1.21% ($500) 24-month Share Certificate | 3 Texas counties |
| CoastLife Credit Union | 1.16% ($1k) 24-month CD | 6 Texas counties See review |
| Navy Army Community Credit Union | 1.15% ($100k) 2-year Jumbo CD | 8 Texas counties See review |
3-Year CD Rates
| Advancial | 1.76% ($50k) 3-year Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| Hughes Federal Credit Union | 1.21% ($99k) 36-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| EFCU Financial | 1.10% ($100k) 36-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Barksdale Federal Credit Union | 1.10% ($1k) 36-month Certificate | Military relationship See review |
| Michigan State University Federal Credit Union | 1.05% ($100k) 3-year Jumbo CD (**NTS) | Easy membership Account review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 1.01% ($500) 3-year Fixed CD | Easy membership Account review |
| Interior Federal Credit Union | 1.01% ($100k) 36-month Jumbo Share Certificate | Easy membership See review |
| Quontic Bank | 1.00% ($500) 3-year CD | Account review |
| Quorum Federal Credit Union | 1.00% ($1k) 30-month Term Savings Account | Easy membership Account review |
| First National Bank of America | 0.90% ($1k) 36-47 month CD | Account review |
| Bank5 Connect | 0.85% ($500) 36-month CD | Account review |
| CFG Bank | 0.85% ($500) 36-month CD | Account review |
| Comenity Direct | 0.80% ($1.5k) 3-year CD | Account review |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 0.80% (APR) 3-year non-callable CD | Issued by BMW, MBC, SYN* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.80% (APR) 3-year non-callable CD | Issued by BMW, SBoI, SYN, UBS* |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 3-Year CDs
| Energy Capital Credit Union | 1.51% ($1k) 36-month CD | Houston, Texas area See review |
| La Joya Area Credit Union | 1.46% ($1k) 36-month CD | Hildago County, Texas |
| Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union | 1.45% ($25k), 0.85% ($10k), 0.75% ($1k) 36-month Share Certificate | City of Chicago employees; portions of Cook County |
| TDECU | 1.40% ($100k) 36-month Jumbo CD | 30 Texas Counties See review |
| Complex Community Credit Union | 1.38% ($500) 36-month CD | Midland and Odessa, Texas See review |
4-Year CD Rates
| Advancial | 1.98% ($50k) 4-year Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| NASA Federal Credit Union | 1.60% ($10k) 49-month Share Certificate Special | Easy membership Account review |
| Michigan State University Federal Credit Union | 1.25% ($100k) 4-year Jumbo CD | Easy membership Account review |
| Interior Federal Credit Union | 1.22% ($100k) 48-month Jumbo Share Certificate | Easy membership See review |
| Barksdale Federal Credit Union | 1.20% ($1k) 48-month Certificate | Military relationship See review |
| EFCU Financial | 1.20% ($100k) 48-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 1.16% ($500) 4-year Fixed CD (**NTS) | Easy membership Account review |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 1.00% (APR) 4-year non-callable CD | Issued by MBC* |
| First National Bank of America | 0.95% ($1k) 48-59 month CD | Account review |
| State Bank of India | 0.95% ($25k) 4-year Senior Citizen CD | Account review |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 0.90% (APR) 4-year non-callable CD | Issued by GSB, UBS* |
| First Internet Bank | 0.85% ($1k) 48-month CD | Account review |
| Capital One | 0.80% (no min) 48-month 360 CD (**NTS) | Account review |
| Comenity Direct | 0.80% ($1.5k) 4-year CD | Account review |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 4-Year CDs
| Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union | 1.65% ($25k), 0.90% ($10k), 0.80% ($1k) 48-month Share Certificate | City of Chicago employees; portions of Cook County |
| La Joya Area Credit Union | 1.61% ($1k) 48-month CD | Hildago County, Texas |
| TFCU | 1.61% ($50k) 48-month Jumbo Share Certificate | El Paso County, Texas See review |
| Schools Federal Credit Union | 1.51% ($90k), 1.24% ($50k), 1.11% ($500) 48-59 month CD | Employees and students of Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles Community College District |
| Security First Credit Union | 1.46% ($100k) 48-month CD | Rio Grande Valley See review |
5-Year CD Rates
| Advancial | 2.23% ($50k) 5-year Jumbo Certificate | Possible easy membership - membership and CD eligibility have been restricted in the past See review |
| Barksdale Federal Credit Union | 1.45% ($1k) 60-month Certificate | Military relationship See review |
| Michigan State University Federal Credit Union | 1.40% ($100k) 5-year Jumbo CD | Easy membership Account review |
| EFCU Financial | 1.35% ($100k) 60-month Jumbo CD | Easy membership See review |
| Interior Federal Credit Union | 1.27% ($100k) 60-month Jumbo Share Certificate | Easy membership See review |
| Lafayette Federal Credit Union | 1.26% ($500) 5-year Fixed CD (**NTS) | Easy membership Account review |
| PenFed Credit Union | 1.25% ($1k) 5-year Money Market Certificate (**NTS) | Easy membership See review |
| First National Bank of America | 1.20% ($1k) 60-month CD | |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 1.15% (APR) 5-year non-callable CD | Issued by MBC, SBoI, SYN* |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 1.15% (APR) 5-year non-callable CD | Issued by SBoI, SYN, UBS* |
| Quontic Bank | 1.11% ($500) 5-year CD | Account review |
| State Bank of India (IL) | 1.11% ($2.5k) 5-year Senior Citizens CD | Account review |
| Ivy Bank | 1.00% ($1k) 5-year CD | Online division of Cambridge Savings Bank Account review |
| Capital One | 1.00% (no min) 60-month 360 CD (**NTS) | Account review |
Noteworthy Local Deals - 5-Year CDs
| Complex Community Credit Union | 2.10% ($500) 60-month CD | Midland and Odessa, Texas See review |
| TFCU | 1.87% ($50k) 60-month Jumbo Share Certificate | El Paso County, Texas See review |
| La Joya Area Credit Union | 1.81% ($1k) 60-month CD | Hildago County, Texas |
| Energy Capital Credit Union | 1.76% ($1k) 60-month CD | Houston, Texas area See review |
| Luso-American Credit Union | 1.61% ($500) 5-year CD | Essex County, Massachusetts See review |
| Metro Phoenix Bank | 1.51% ($5k) 60-month CD Special (**NTS) | Greater Phoenix metro area See review |
Over 5-Year CD Rates
| PenFed Credit Union | 1.50% ($1k) 7-year Money Market Certificate | Easy membership See review |
| Credit Human | 1.40% ($1k) 120-month CD | Easy membership See review |
| First National Bank of America | 1.30% ($1k) 84-month Time CD | |
| SRP Federal Credit Union | 1.26% ($5k) 7-year Flex CD | Easy membership See review |
| Fidelity Brokered CD | 1.25% (APR) 7-year non-callable CD | Issued by MLGB* |
| Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union | 1.15% ($1k) 6-year CD | Easy membership See review |
| Northrop Grumman Federal Credit Union | 1.10% ($40k) 84-month Bonus Term CD | Easy membership See review |
| Luana Savings Bank | 1.05% ($100k), 1.00% ($50k) 6-year CD | Account review |
| The Vanguard Group Brokered CD | 1.00% (APR) 7-year non-callable CD | Issued by LUASB* |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 0.80% ($500) High-Yield 6 Year CD | Account review |
| Discover Bank | 0.80% ($2.5k) 10-year CD | Account review |
Noteworthy Local Deals - Over 5-year CDs
| Argentine Federal Savings | 1.77% ($1k) 120-month CD | Kansas City metro area |
| State Nebraska Bank & Trust | 1.75% ($25k) 10-year Bank 4Ward CD Special | Eastern Nebraska |
| Security First Credit Union | 1.56% ($100k), 1.46% ($50k), 1.41% ($25k), 1.36% ($1k) 84-month CD | Rio Grande Valley, Texas See review |
| Monroe Savings Bank | 1.51% ($1k) 10-year CD | South New Jersey |
| Apple Federal Credit Union | 1.50% ($500) 120-month CD (**NTS) | Easy membership in District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia See review |
*BMW (BMW Bank), BoC (Bank of China), GSB (Goldman Sachs Bank), ISDB (Israel Discount Bank), LUASB (Luana Savings Bank), MBC (Merrick Bank Corp), MLGB (Malaga Bank FSB), NOPB (Northpointe Bank), SACO (Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution), SBoI (State Bank of India), SBoIIL (State Bank of India IL), SYN (Synchrony Bank), UBS (UBS Bank USA)
**New To Summary, as of November 16, 2021
Nationally Available Add-On CD Rates
| Institution | Rates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 3.00% ($50 min/$3k max) 12-month Special Easy Start CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term, checking relationship, direct deposit Account review |
| Achieva Credit Union | 1.05% ($75k), 0.95 ($500) 42-month Promotional CD (unlimited add-ons) | Easy membership See review |
| Heartland Credit Union (KS) | 0.90% ($100k), 0.85% ($25k), 0.80% ($500 min) 30-Month Add-On CD | Unlimited deposits ($500 min) throughout term Account review |
| Vibrant Credit Union | 0.80% ($100 min) 5-Year Add-On CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Mountain America Credit Union | 0.70% ($5 min/$100k max) 60-month Growth CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term, min $10 automatic monthly deposit See review |
| Blue Federal Credit Union | 0.60% ($100k), 0.55% ($50k), 0.50% ($2k) 30-month Expandable CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Mountain America Credit Union | 0.60% ($5 min/$100k max) 48-month Growth CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term, min $10 automatic monthly deposit See review |
| Blue Federal Credit Union | 0.60% ($100k), 0.55% ($50k), 0.50% ($2k) 30-month Expandable CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Pen Air Federal Credit Union | 0.55% ($500 min) 15-month Add-On CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Rising Bank | 0.55% ($25k min) 36-month Rising CD | Two additional deposits during term Account review |
| Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union | 0.50% ($25) 1-year Save to Win Certificate | Unlimited deposits throughout term See review |
| Bank5 Connect | 0.50% ($500 min) 24-month Investment CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 0.50% ($100 min) 12-month Easy Start CD | Unlimited deposits throughout term Account review |
| Rising Bank | 0.45% ($5k min) 18-month Rising CD | One additional deposit during term Account review |
CDs Removed Due To Low Rates Or Expired Specials
CDs Removed, No Longer Available
CDs Removed, Rate Too Low
| Mobility Credit Union | 0.65% ($500) 9-month CD | Easy membership in Texas See review |
| Red River Credit Union | 0.96% ($500) 12-month CD | 13 TX, 12 AR, 5 MS counties and 2 LA parishes See review |
| Live Oak Bank | 0.65% ($2.5k) 18-month CD | Account review |
| Red River Credit Union | 1.01% ($500) 18-month CD | 13 TX, 12 AR, 5 MS counties and 2 LA parishes See review |
| Live Oak Bank | 0.65% ($2.5k) 2-year CD | Account review |
| Veridian Credit Union | 1.00% ($100k), 0.90% ($1k) 30-month Jumbo Bump-Up CD Special | Easy membership See review |
| Abound Credit Union | 1.15% ($500) 47-month CD Special | Easy membership (formerly Fort Knox Federal Credit Union) Account review |
| TIAA Bank | 0.75% ($1k) 48-month CD | Account review |
| Abound Credit Union | 1.25% ($500) 59-month CD | Easy membership (formerly Fort Knox Federal Credit Union) Account review |
| Keesler Federal Credit Union | 1.45% ($100k) 5-year Jumbo CD | Easy membership in AL, LA, and MS See review |
| Third Federal Savings and Loan | 0.70% ($500) 72-month CD | Account review |
| Financial Center First Credit Union | 1.50% ($500) 84-month Share Certificate Special | 15 Indiana counties See review |
I transferred some funds to them from another FI, waited for them to clear and then tried to draw on the funds. I was shocked to find out that they would not allow me to draw on them even though they were specified on my account as "Available" funds. I was counting on the funds being available on the day I requested the transfer but at the end of that day they informed me that my request to transfer was denied and they did not send the funds. Huh?!
I was completely stumped so I contacted a manager to ask some questions. I asked if I had done something wrong or in violation of the terms of my account (I was not aware of anything like that). The answer to that was no. Okay then, what was it? "Sorry I can't tell you." Okay so when CAN I draw on those funds? "Sorry I can't tell you." If I add more funds to the account will you hold those too? "Sorry I can't tell you. You can try it and find out." HUH?!
I don't have a clue why they did this but it essentially means my account is useless to me now because what is the purpose of a liquid account if it isn't liquid and you can't rely on the FI to honor your valid request for funds according to the terms agreed? I'm not going to risk depositing more funds to have them held in the Twilight Zone.
The only thing they were willing to do was transfer the funds back to the FI I transferred them to Marcus from. That was the only option which in this case was a bad option for me. They also told me "you can try again in 90 days" .... I thought I was in the Twilight Zone! What the?!
I have been a big Marcus fan for the years I had an account there. Now I cannot recommend them anymore. This was unacceptable. It's a shame.
There is absolutely no reason why this should have been viewed as any kind of transaction that requires a SAR. It was just an ordinary routine ACH transfer in and a request to ACH transfer out with all three accounts titled exactly the same. I have no idea what they are thinking. It seems nuts to me.
The only thing I can think of that is different is that the FI I transferred the funds from happens to be a foreign bank that operates in America. Starting to get the idea that this might be related to that and possibly triggers some kind of routine check for money laundering because it is a foreign bank. So maybe indeed an SAR is filed or something of that nature.
That's disturbing. Makes you feel like a criminal when you haven't done anything wrong at all.
The takeaway for me may be to no longer have accounts at foreign banks. Who needs this? Not sure if Marcus is to blame or not. If they were required to do this by regulation for some reason it wouldn't be their fault.
My initial concern was that my Marcus account was compromised and that someone else was doing things with my account I was not aware of and that's why they were not allowing it. I told them that the things that they were saying to me raised that concern. But it didn't sound like that was what was going on.
Now I think it's probably the foreign bank thing. I'll make a mental note of that drawback if I ever consider an account at a foreign bank in the future. Beware.
On a related note, I had a bank place a hold on funds I pushed in from an external FI. Like you, I expected immediate availability, so was not very pleased.
But if it is that simple, they could have just told me that's why they are doing it.
I told them that if I can't rely on being able to draw funds from the account then I see no purpose in having the account. I asked them if this was their way of inviting me not to be a customer anymore and they insisted that they wanted me to continue to be a customer and thanked me for having my account.
It seemed surreal. Couldn't imagine what the problem was. But now I am feeling it must be related to the fact that the FI that sent the funds was foreign. Maybe that FI has had some issues in the past, I have no idea.
In any event, my plan now is to just leave the funds in Marcus for the 90 days if necessary and hopefully this will be resolved. Not sure if I will keep my Marcus account or not after that. Part of that decision would be based on whether they were required to do this or whether they just decided to do it with no requirement.
But not sure I will ever be able to find that out. I'm not happy about it, but fortunately I can draw funds from elsewhere to cover the need. Just annoying at this point.
PS Go read some of the comments about US Bank
Nice to know that the US government is surreptitiously spying on law abiding citizens' financial affairs with no valid reason. Hopefully the massive expansion of this outrageous violation of your banking privacy that was originally part of it will not appear in the final version of this Biden's "Build Back Better" bill.
Back when rates were higher but had started dropping, Marcus had a decent 11-month NoPenalty CD rate. Their rules stated that you couldn't take a PARTIAL early withdrawal - it was all or none. That in itself is not unusual, although some FIs do allow partial withdrawals. So I did what I often do in situations like that - I opened several (15 in this case) equal-amount NoPenalty CDs in case something unexpected came up - either a problem needing cash, or a buying opportunity. When the first monthly statement cut, I was surprised to see 15 separate statements online instead of 1! Not simply 15 separate accounts.
So after I downloaded all 15 PDF files and reconciled them I called Marcus and asked what was going on. They said no, it wasn't a mistake, that was just the way their system worked. (There had been absolutely no warning of this online.) I asked them, going forward, could they put Humpty-Dumpty back together into a single monthly statement, like nearly all customers would likely want? They said no, we don't know how to do that. Then came the most surprising thing - I asked them, if just for the sake of argument I'd requested paper statements when creating the CDs, would that mean your system would have actually mailed out to me 15 separate envelopes? They answered no, in that case their system WAS smart enough to figure out how to consolidate the accounts on 1 statement! (That, of course, would have saved Marcus some postage and handling money.)
So each month for 11 months I had to download and reconcile 15 statements from these clowns. I kept the account open and I'm not saying I'd never use them again, but it would have to be a better-than-average deal to make up for the added hassle.
1) When you close a card account, particularly one with a high credit limit, that can raise your credit utilization rate and consequently lower your credit score.
2) If you close a credit card that has a lengthy credit history, that could seriously impact the average age of your accounts which would lower your credit score.
Others may be "amazed" at k7gnae1n's lack of awareness of Ken Tumin's numerous articles on Series I savings bonds, which regularly attract comments from participants on this site. Tumin's most recent article on this topic, "November Savings Bond Rates - Record High I Bond Inflation Rate of 7.12%", was published on November 1.
Amazing.