NASA Federal Credit Union of Upper Marlboro, Maryland has some fantastic CD (certificate of deposit) rates at the moment and the credit union is easy to join for pretty much any US citizen or legal resident nationwide.
NASA is federally insured by the NCUA (FDIC equivalent for credit unions) and all deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor.
NASA Federal Credit Union was founded in 1949 with just 7 members and $2.00 in deposits. Today, they service 200,000 members and have over $3 billion in assets.
To see if this credit union and their CD rates are right for you, continue reading our review below.
NASA Federal Credit Union CD Rates + Account Details
NASA Federal Credit Union’s CDs come with a minimum deposit of $1,000 for their standard CD accounts and $10,000 for “new money” promotional accounts. These are available as normal CDs or for IRA accounts.
CD Rates
| Term | Min. Deposit | APY |
| 6 months | $1,000 | 4.80% |
| 9 months* | $10,000 | 5.65% |
| 12 months Early Savers | $50 | 4.75% |
| 12 months | $1,000 | 4.75% |
| 15 months* | $10,000 | 5.45% |
| 24 months | $1,000 | 4.60% |
| 24 month Bump Rate | $1,000 | 4.50% |
| 36 months | $1,000 | 4.45% |
| 36 month Bump Rate | $1,000 | 4.35% |
| 48 months | $1,000 | 4.20% |
| 49 months* | $10,000 | 4.85% |
| 60 months | $1,000 | 4.25% |
To put these yields into perspective, the current national average on a 12 month CD and a 60 month CD sit at just 1.63% APY and 1.37% APY (annual percentage yield), respectively, according to FDIC data.
The best yields from FDIC-insured online banks and nationally available credit unions are now topping 5.50% APY and 4.75% APY, respectively, for the same terms as mentioned above, putting Nasa Federal Credit Union among the rate leaders.
How Much Can You Make with a NASA Federal Credit Union CD?
The amount of money you can earn with a CD from NASA Federal Credit Union is going to depend on your deposit size, the CD term you choose and its APY (annual percentage yield). The table below shows potential earnings based on a $25,000 deposit.
| CD Term | APY | Earnings |
| 9 months | 5.65% | $1,052.06 |
| 15 months | 5.45% | $1,714.57 |
| 36 months | 4.45% | $3,488.22 |
| 49 months | 4.85% | $5,333.87 |
How Do NASA Federal Credit Union’s CD Rates Compare?
Take a look at the table below to see how NASA Federal Credit Union’s CD rates compare to competitive CD rates offered by other credit unions around the country.
| Credit Union | Best CD Rate (APY) |
| Connexus Credit Union | 5.50% |
| Golden 1 Credit Union | 4.60% |
| State Employees’ Credit Union | 5.10% |
| NASA Federal Credit Union | 5.65% |
Early Saver CD Details
Early Saver CDs are available for minors 23 years old or younger. They can be opened with a much lower minimum deposit of just $50 and additional deposits of at least $25 can be made at any time during the CDs term. Additional deposits are not required but it’s a nice feature to have for young people that are building their savings over time and want to stash it away in a CD.
Bump Rate CD Details
As the name implies, the Bump CDs – both 24 and 36 month terms – allow you to bump up the rate on the CD one time during its term.
For both Bump CDs you will be provided with the going rate for those CD terms (either 24 or 36 months) at the time you choose to bump it.
These products are only beneficial in rising interest rate environments such as the one we’re currently experiencing.
Add-On CD
Nasa FCU has one “Add-On” CD that comes with a 12 month term and minimum initial deposit requirement of just $250.
Add-On CD Rate
| Term | APY |
| 12 months | 4.65% |
With the Add-On CD you are allowed to add between $25 and $2,500 to your deposit each month. The monthly transfers will have to come via automated means such as account-to-account transfers, eBranch recurring or non-recurring transfers, etc.
This CD will automatically renew into standard 12 month CDs if nothing is done with your CD funds at maturity.
Compounding and Crediting Interest
Interest is compounded monthly and credited monthly. Interest will begin accruing on the same business day that you make your deposit.
Grace Period and Early Withdrawal Fees
NASA FCU provides a 10 calendar-day grace period upon your CD’s maturity in which you may add-to or withdraw any/all CD funds without incurring a penalty fee. If nothing is done during this grace period, your CD will automatically renew for the term disclosed at the certificate opening unless instructed otherwise.
If you do need access to your funds prior to your CD’s maturity you will incur a fee. The early withdrawal fees are as follows:
| CD Term | Fee |
| 0 – 24 months | 182 days’ interest on amount withdrawn |
| >24 months | 365 days’ interest on amount withdrawn |
How to Join
NASA Federal Credit Union provides aspiring members with a full membership when joining the National Space Society.
You’re also eligible for instant Nasa FCU membership by joining one of their affiliated associations. Some of these associations require up to $50 to join. You can read more here or see the list below:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Astronautical Society
- American Astronomical Society
- American Geophysical Union
- American Institute of Architects
- American Society of Microbiology (ASM)
- Consumer Electronics Association (CTA)
- HR Alliance
- The Mars Society
- Mathematical Association of America
- Moon Society
- National Space Society
- The Montgomery County Road Runners Club
- Women in Aerospace (WIA)
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