The 6% CD Is Finally Back. Here's How to Get This Market-Leading Rate

Over the last year, the highest-paying certificates of deposit (CDs) have often been the most exclusive. For example, the 7-month 7.19% APY CD from Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union was available only to residents of Michigan. Likewise, the 9.50% APY 5-month CD from California Coast Credit Union was available only to residents of certain counties in California.

So when I saw this 6.00% APY 10-month Certificate Special from Nuvision Credit Union, I was admittedly skeptical. Expecting geographic restrictions like the aforementioned CDs, I was surprised to find there weren't any. In fact, for anyone who has $5,000 to invest in a CD, you'd be hard pressed to find a better offer than this. It might not be available for long, so if you're interested, let's take a look at what it entails.

This CD requires credit union membership, but joining Nuvision is open to all U.S. consumers

As you might expect, you have to become a member of Nuvision Credit Union in order to be eligible for this 10-month Certificate offer. However, unlike some credit unions we've reviewed, which require you to live in certain ZIP codes or work for specific companies to be eligible for membership, Nuvision makes it simple to join. If any of the following apply to you, you're eligible.

• An immediate family or household member is a member of Nuvision.
• You are a southern California or Mesa, Arizona Boeing employee or the household member or immediate family of one.
• You are an employee of one of the 74 companies that are included in Nuvision's select employer group.
• You are a consumer-member of the American Consumer Council (ACC).

That last one makes this credit union open to pretty much everyone. When I signed up to become a member of the American Consumer Council, I only had to enter my credentials and pay a $15 lifetime membership fee. With that membership comes a monthly consumer bulletin, free financial education workshops, and eligibility to join certain credit unions, including Nuvision.

Nuvision's 10-month Certificate has a 6.00% APY, but there is one catch

Once your ACC membership is approved, you can join Nuvision and apply for its 10-month Certificate. But, before you count your chickens, there is one limitation you should know -- The Nuvision 10-month Certificate Special has a minimum deposit of $1,000 and maximum deposit of $5,000.

In other words, this CD has the potential to earn between about $50 and $250 in interest. Subtracting the cost of joining the American Consumer Council, that's about $35 to $235 in total earnings.

That said, if you're not interested in joining the American Consumer Council -- or don't want the $15 fee to eat into your earnings -- there are still plenty of great CD offerings on the market today. If you're confident a CD is the right investment, take a second to compare this Nuvision offer to some of the best CDs on our list and see which one will grow your money the most.