Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
It may be hard to believe, but NASA Federal Credit Union CD rates really are "out of this world." This small credit union easily competes with larger online banks, offering great rates and lots of options. You'll want to watch out for a few eligibility requirements, however, which we lay out in our full review.
NASA Federal Credit Union CD rates for 2024
NASA Federal Credit Union High-Yield Certificate
- 9 APY: 5.55%
- 15 APY: 5.30%
- 49 APY: 4.60%
Rates as of June 7, 2024
APY = Annual Percentage Yield
Term
NASA Federal Credit Union High-Yield Certificate
9 Mo.
15 Mo.
49 Mo.
5.55%
5.30%
4.60%
NASA Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
- 6 APY: 4.50%
- 12 APY: 4.60%
- 24 APY: 4.45%
- 36 APY: 4.35%
- 48 APY: 4.20%
- 60 APY: 4.10%
Rates as of June 7, 2024
APY = Annual Percentage Yield
Term
NASA Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
6 Mo.
1 Yr.
2 Yr.
3 Yr.
4 Yr.
5 Yr.
4.50%
4.60%
4.45%
4.35%
4.20%
4.10%
Compare NASA Federal Credit Union CD rates
Your savings can really take off with the competitive rates on NASA FCU's CDs. In particular, the high-yield certificates are soaring right up there with our top CD rates.
Rates as of June 7, 2024
| Bank & CD Offer | APY | Term | Min. Deposit | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Member FDIC.
| APY: 4.70% | Term: 1 Year | Min. Deposit: $2,500 | |
| APY: 5.05% | Term: 1 Year | Min. Deposit: $1 | |
|
| APY: 5.15% | Term: 9 Months | Min. Deposit: $1 | |
Member FDIC.
| APY: 4.75% | Term: 1 Year | Min. Deposit: $500 |
Details about NASA Federal Credit Union CDs
There's not too much to complain about with NASA FCU's CDs. They offer great rates, a variety of term options, and even some fun space puns in the marketing. The minimum deposits may be a problem, however. And membership is required, though it isn't hard to get.
NASA Federal Credit Union High-Yield Certificates
Pros
- Extremely competitive APYs
- Multiple term options
- Can open an account online
- Astronomy puns
Cons
- Very high minimum deposit
- Must be a credit union member to apply
NASA FCU's High-Yield Certificates are, as the credit union itself so aptly puts it, "out of this world," offering "stellar yields" and "astronomical returns."
While the puns may be a bit over the top, they're not unearned. The rates you can get on short-term certificates are extremely competitive. I'm talking right up there with our best 6-month and 12-month CD rates. Even the longer-term 49-month option is a great deal comparable to our top 4-year CDs.
Those high rates may be a bit out of reach for some folks, though, given the high minimum deposit requirement. Membership is required to open a CD account, but joining is easy online while you open the account.
Rates as of June 7, 2024
APY = Annual Percentage Yield
NASA Federal Credit Union High-Yield Certificate
Bottom Line
NASA FCU offers three high-yield certificates with truly impressive rates. If you have a minimum of $10,000 to invest in a CD, then these should certainly be on your list to consider.
MINIMUM DEPOSIT $10,000
| 9 Mo. APY | 15 Mo. APY | 49 Mo. APY |
|---|---|---|
| 5.55% | 5.30% | 4.60% |
NASA Federal Credit Union Share Certificates
Pros
- Competitive APYs
- Wide variety of term options
- You can borrow against your funds
- Can open an account online
Cons
- Minimum deposit somewhat high
- Must be a credit union member to apply
Although not as sky-high as the high-yield certificates, NASA Federal Credit Union's regular Share Certificates still offer pretty competitive APYs. In fact, NASA FCU's 4- and 5-year CDs offer rates up there with our top picks. You also have a lot more maturity term options to better fit your timeline.
The minimum deposit for a Share Certificate is much more reasonable than for the High-Yield Certificates, but it's still quite high when you consider some CDs have no minimums. As with other NASA Federal Credit Union accounts, you'll need to be a member to open a Share Certificate, but you can join during the account opening process.
Rates as of June 7, 2024
APY = Annual Percentage Yield
NASA Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
Bottom Line
The NASA Federal Credit Union CD rates shown here are its standard rates with $1,000 minimum deposit requirements. Note that NASA FCU does offer a handful of promotional and bump rates as well with their own minimum deposit amounts and APYs. Check out NASA FCU's website for all the details.
MINIMUM DEPOSIT $1,000
| 6 Mo. APY | 1 Yr. APY | 2 Yr. APY | 3 Yr. APY | 4 Yr. APY | 5 Yr. APY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.50% | 4.60% | 4.45% | 4.35% | 4.20% | 4.10% |
Other NASA Federal Credit Union CD accounts
NASA Federal Credit Union also offers the following CD accounts:
- Early Savers Certificates
- Premier Bump-Rate Certificate
- Add-on Certificates
Who is a NASA Federal Credit Union CD right for?
Anyone who wants a high APY CD should definitely consider the NASA Federal Credit Union High-Yield Certificate. If you can't manage the high minimum deposit, however, the credit union's regular Share Certificates still offer competitive rates and only require a fraction of the deposit.
You need to be a member of the credit union to open an account, but you don't need any special qualifications to join.
Keep reading about NASA Federal Credit Union:
Our CDs methodology
At The Motley Fool Ascent, certificates of deposit (CDs) are rated on a scale of one to five stars, primarily focusing on annual percentage yield (APY) and early withdrawal penalty fees. Our highest-rated CDs generally include competitive APYs without complex qualification tiers, low withdrawal fees, reliable brand trust and reputation, and ease of use.
See our full Ratings Methodology here.Learn more about how The Motley Fool Ascent rates bank accounts.
FAQs
-
No, you don't need to be a NASA employee to join the credit union. If you don't meet any other qualifications, you can join the NASA Federal Credit Union simply by becoming an affiliated member of the National Space Society. This is free and can be done while you apply for an account.
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When they reach maturity, certificates will automatically renew for the same term, if available. You then have 10 days to withdraw your funds before you're faced with an early withdrawal penalty.
-
Sort of. As a credit union, NASA Federal Credit Union is a member of the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), which is the FDIC's equivalent for credit unions. Your deposits are federally insured by the NCUA the same way the FDIC insures deposits for bank customers.
Our Banking Experts
Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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