BECU CD Rates

BECU 12 Month CD

4.25% APY

The certificates of deposit (CDs) at BECU have relatively low-interest rates when compared to other banks. To get the best CD rates, you will need to apply for a Member Advantage account, a membership level that offers higher interest rates for most types of accounts.

BECU compounds interest monthly. This won’t accrue as much interest as a CD that compounds daily, but BECU offers two useful features to help you increase your earnings and contributions even after you’ve opened a CD. While its interest rates are not the best out there, it has nearly a dozen offerings and flexibility to change the flexibility to change your CD rate. 

To calculate how much interest you could earn with a CD, try using SmartAsset's CD calculator.

To help determine whether or not you want to open a CD account at BECU, check out comprehensive information on its CD offerings below. Please note, the table below displays Member Advantage APYs; without a Member Advantage account, your APY may be significantly less. 

Bump CDs

Unlike many other banks and credit unions, BECU also offers Bump CDs that allow you to increase your rate partway through the CD term to the current BECU published rate. Bump CDs require a bit more commitment, though, as they only have 12-month and a 24-month term options. BECU offers Bump CDs for use in retirement accounts, with the same term lengths and interest rates. Please note, the table below displays Member Advantage APYs; without a Member Advantage account your APY may be significantly less. 

12 Month CD Interest Rate Comparison

Overview of BECU CDs

BECU, known as Boeing Employees' Credit Union for most of its history, offers 11 different CD options. Eight of those options apply to standard CDs, with terms ranging from three months up to five years. Customers who apply for a Member Advantage account will qualify for higher rates. Member Advantage is a membership level that requires you to file an application and to meet certain qualifications. With CD terms of less than one year, the rates for Member Advantage accounts are about twice as high as for people without Member Advantage.

The minimum deposit for a CD is $500, and BECU offers three different rate levels depending on how much you contribute to your CD. (Note that within the three rate levels, there are different rates for people with and without Member Advantage.) Contributions between $500 and $49,999.99 earn a lower rate than CDs worth more than $50,000. The third rate level, for CDs worth $100,000 or more, currently has the same rates as CDs worth between $50,000 and $99,999.99.

If the $500 minimum is high for you, consider BECU’s Add-To CD option. This feature lets you open a CD with only $100. You will then set up a contribution schedule to add to your CD regularly. The rate of your CD will stay the same as you contribute funds.

As with other banks, BECU will charge a penalty if you withdraw money from your CD before it comes to term. The early withdrawal penalty you pay will depend on the term length of your CD. If your term is 12 or fewer months, the penalty is equal is 30 days interest. If your term is more than 12 months, the penalty is 90 days interest. In the case that your CD has not accrued enough interest to cover the penalty, BECU will collect the fee from your principal.

Once your CD reaches maturity, BECU will automatically renew your CD for the same term length at the current interest rate. BECU will notify you at least 30 days in advance of your CD’s maturity date so that you have a chance to take action if you don’t want it to renew. You will also have a seven-day grace period after the CD’s maturity date when you can withdraw funds, make transfers or make any other changes.

If you’re saving for retirement, BECU offers CDs that can be used in an IRA. They carry the same rates as regular CD rates.

How Much You Earn With BECU Certificates of Deposit Over Time

The short-term CDs at BECU have low-interest rates. If you contribute the minimum with a CD length of 12 months or less, you won’t make any more than a few dollars in interest. Longer-term accounts have higher interest rates, with five-year CDs earning you the best rate. You will also earn a higher interest rate by contributing more money, regardless of the term length of your CD.

The table below shows what your total balance could look like depending on your initial deposit and your term length if you were to have a Member Advantage APY.

How BECU CD Rates Compare to Other Banks’

As mentioned earlier, the CD interest rates at BECU are relatively low. When compared to banks like Capital One or Ally Bank, BECU generally underperforms. In particular, other banks perform better with CD terms of one year or less. BECU does offer higher rates for CDs of a few years or longer, but you only get that higher rate if you have a Member Advantage account. Otherwise, you won’t receive the highest rates. One thing to keep in mind is that Ally Bank is an online bank. You will not be able to meet with someone in person should you want to discuss something face-to-face. Don’t forget that regardless of what kind of bank you’re looking for, SmartAsset can help you compare CD Rates.

Should You Get a BECU CD Account?

If you are only looking to find the highest interest rates on short-term CDs, an account with BECU may not be the best choice. This is particularly true is you are looking for short-term CDs worth less than $50,000 to the CD. If you are looking for a longer-term CD, you will have access to BECU’s highest interest rates.

The minimum deposit for a CD is $500 but you can start with only $100 if you choose one of the two Add-To CD options, which are available in one-year and two-year term lengths. The Bump CD option also gives you some flexibility as you can choose to increase your CD’s interest rate once during its term. Outside of those two options, remember that CDs are quite strict about how you can move money, and BECU CDs are no different. Your money is tied up once you put it in a CD and early withdrawals will result in a penalty of up to 90 days interest. If you need more flexibility, consider a high-interest savings account.