Limited-time offer
Earn 4.25% APY† when you move at least $1,000 from another financial institution to open a new 7-month share certificate.
Move your money to CAFCU and earn more
CAFCU offers share certificates with higher-than-average rates and flexible terms to help you save for the future. Choose a topic below to learn more.
How do I open a CAFCU share certificate?
You can open a share certificate with as little as $1,000. Here's how:
- Log into CAFCU's digital banking app and send us a secure message to request a new share certificate account. Please specify the term length and amount you would like to invest. [Don't have our mobile app yet? Download it now to get started!]
- Call our Member Center at 1-800-359-1939 Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.
- Stop by your local CAFCU branch.
Can I open a share certificate online?
If you are a member and you are registered with digital banking, you can request an account opening by sending us a secure message while logged into our digital banking app. When you do, someone will get back to you within normal business hours to help you get started.
You can also call our Member Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST Monday through Friday at 1-800-359-1939 to open an account or stop by a local CAFCU branch.
What are your current share certificate rates?
View our current share certificate rates by scrolling down on this page or going to
cafcu.org/rates.
What are my options for funding my share certificate account?
There are several ways to open a CAFCU share certificate with money from another financial institution:
- Wire yourself the money from another financial institution. Incoming wire transfers to CAFCU are free!
- Write a check and deposit it through CAFCU's mobile banking app (be aware of limits).
- Deposit cash or a check at a local branch.
- Deposit cash or a check at a shared branch location.
- Arrange a transfer of funds from a connected bank in our mobile app (note that it takes 2-4 days to set up an external transfer. Click here to learn more about external transfers.
- Send yourself funds using Zelle®.
- Use funds from a recent direct deposit! (Don't have direct deposit set up yet? Use this form to get started).
What is a share certificate?
Similar to a certificate of deposit (CD) offered by a bank, credit union share certificates are a type of investment account designed to allow you to set aside money for specific periods of time (e.g. 6, 12, 24, or 36 months) at a higher savings rate. The longer the term of your certificate, the higher the annual percentage yield (APY) you'll typically receive.
Are share certificates a safe investment?
Yes! The beauty of a share certificate is that it is a totally risk-free way to grow your money at a higher-than-average rate with the full protection of National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insurance. So you can rest easy knowing your share certificate is protected up to $250,000.
Here's a helpful resource on NCUA insurance and how it compares to FDIC insurance.
My share certificate is maturing. Can I renew or open an account in the CAFCU app?
Yes! Here's how:
From a desktop
- Log in
- Click on the email icon in the upper-right corner
- Choose the blue compose button
- Subject: Open or Renew Share Certificate.
- Account: Choose your preferred account (i.e. 7 Month Certificate). If you are opening a new account, you can leave this field blank.
- Compose your message with specific instructions on what you want to deposit into a new account and your source for the new funds.
- Choose the blue "send message" button
From the mobile app
- Log in
- Tap on more on the bottom left
- Choose Message Center under Utilities
- tap Compose in the upper right
- Select a subject: Open or Renew Share Certificate.
- Choose the account: Choose your preferred account (i.e. 7 Month Certificate) If you are opening a new account, you can leave this field blank.
- Compose your message with specific instructions on what you want to deposit into a new account and your source for the new funds.
- Tap the blue “send” button
Someone will respond within 1-2 business days to confirm that your account has been opened.
How can I open a share certificate if I am not near a CAFCU branch?
To open a share certificate by phone, please call our Member Center at 1-800-359-1939 Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST.
You can save time by choosing the option to receive a callback when you dial our 800 number. Simply provide your phone number when prompted and a Member Center representative will get back to you as soon as possible to help you open your certificate.
You can also send a direct message via digital banking to request a new share certificate.
If you are a current CAFCU member registered with digital banking, log into to your account and send a secure message to request an account opening. Our Member Center will reach out during normal business hours to help you get started.
I'm not a CAFCU member. Can I open a share certificate?
You can if you join us! Learn how to join our credit union family and access our membership application online at cafcu.org/join.
Once you've submitted your online application and your application is approved, you should receive an answer by email within 24 business hours.
You can then open your share certificate account by:
What is the minimum balance to open a share certificate?
The minimum balance required to open a CAFCU share certificate is $1,000 on all terms except for Youth Share Certificates, which require a minimum balance of $250 and a maximum of $1,000 for members under 18 years of age.
Do your share certificate accounts have any fees?
There are no account maintenance fees with a CAFCU share certificate account.
However, your account will be assessed a dividend penalty if you withdraw your funds before the term of your certificate is complete. This includes 60 days worth of dividends on a 6- or 12-month term and 150 days worth of dividends on a 24- or 36-month term.
How are your share certificate dividends calculated?
CAFCU share certificate dividends are calculated daily and paid monthly.
What happens when my CAFCU share certificate matures?
As your maturity date approaches, you will receive a letter at least one month beforehand notifying you that your share certificate is about to mature. This letter will provide rate information and instructions about your options.
If you do not want your certificate to automatically renew, you can call our Member Center at
1-847-359-1939 or stop by a
CAFCU branch to indicate your preference before the certificate matures or within the 10-day grace period after the maturity date.
If the certificate automatically rolls over, it will renew at the current rate for that share certificate term at the time of maturity.
If your share certificate was opened through a special offer with an atypical term (i.e. 11 months or 7 months), it will renew at the nearest term length (e.g. an 11-month certificate will renew as a 12-month certificate).
How can I check my share certificate balance?
You can view your share certificate activity when logged into
digital banking. You can also view activity in our quarterly statements
.
When will I receive my share certificate statement?
Statements are provided quarterly and are available by mail or, if you are signed up for
eStatements, when logged in to
digital banking.
| $1,000 minimum |
APY** |
Dividend Rate |
| 6-month |
3.25% |
3.20% |
| 12-month |
3.51% |
3.45% |
| 24-month |
3.46% |
3.41% |
| 36-month |
3.52% |
3.46% |
| $10,000 minimum |
APY** |
Dividend Rate |
| 6-month |
3.30% |
3.25% |
| 12-month |
3.56% |
3.50% |
| 24-month |
3.52% |
3.46% |
| 36-month |
3.57% |
3.51% |
| Youth Share Certificate*** |
APY** |
Dividend Rate |
| 6-month |
0.75% |
0.75% |
For more information or questions connect with us:
*Penalties apply for early withdrawal of funds. See "Important Account Information for our Members" disclosure for
complete details.
**APY = Annual Percentage Yield.
†APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Promotional offer starts Sept. 12, 2024 and is valid for a limited time only. Promotional rate of 4.25% APY applies to share certificate(s) with a 7-month term with an opening balance of at least $1,000. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are excluded from this offer. “Moving your money from another financial institution” refers to transferring or depositing money not currently on deposit at CAFCU. CAFCU members renewing expiring 7-month share certificates may move existing funds into a new 7-month share certificate to qualify for the promotional APY of 4.25%. APY is subject to change without notice. Offer not valid on existing CAFCU share certificates and funds from these accounts may not be used to get promotional rate. To qualify for the promotional rate, your accounts must be in good standing and you must open a new share certificate(s). At the end of the 7-month promotional term, share certificates will automatically renew at the standard rate offered at the time of maturity for a share certificate with a 6-month term. A 10-day grace period applies at time of maturity. Dividends are calculated daily and paid monthly. Penalties will apply for early withdrawal of funds. Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. CAFCU reserves the right to terminate this promotional offer at any time. Contact CAFCU for complete details.
