Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Navy Federal Credit Union Standard Certificate
Start saving
NFCU, NCUA Insured
Insider’s Rating
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.45% to 4.95%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$1,000
Pros
Competitive APY, even for lower balances
Terms up to 7 years
Cons
$1,000 opening deposit
Minimum $100k to earn highest APY with some terms
Standard-to-high early withdrawal penalties
Insider’s Take
Navy Federal CD rates are high overall, with the exception of its 6-month terms — you’ll find the best 6-month CD rates elsewhere. The SaveFirst Account rates are only so-so, but they’re some of the few CDs out there that allow you to add more money to your account during the term.
Product Details
Join Navy Federal Credit Union as an active military member, military veteran, Department of Defense employee/retiree, or family member of any of the aforementioned groups
354 branches worldwide, including on select military bases
Terms ranging from 3 months to 7 years
Earn higher APY with a higher balance
Early withdrawal penalty of 90 days dividends for terms of 3 months to 1 year; 180 days dividends for terms of 1 year to 5 years; 365 days interest for terms of 6 and 7 years
Navy Federal Credit Union (federally insured by the NCUA) is one of the best institutions for the military, and it pays competitive rates on share certificates — what credit unions call CDs. It has three types of CDs: Standard, EasyStart, and SaveFirst. Your CD rate and minimum deposit will depend on which type of CD you open.
Navy Federal CD Rates
Navy Federal Standard Certificate Rates
The Navy Federal Credit Union Standard Certificate pays 0.45% to 4.95% APY (Annual Percentage Yield). There’s a $1,000 minimum deposit, but it has a tiered interest rate system so you’ll earn more with higher deposits. Right now, you won’t earn the best rate unless you have at least $100,000.
CD Term
$1k Minimum APY
$20k Minimum APY
$100k Minimum APY
3 months
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
6 months
0.45%
0.45%
0.50%
1 year
4.90%
4.90%
4.95%
18 months
4.50%
4.50%
4.55%
2 years
4.20%
4.20%
4.25%
3 years
4.20%
4.20%
4.25%
5 years
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
7 years
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
Navy Federal EasyStart Certificate Rates
The Navy Federal Credit Union EasyStart℠ Certificate pays 0.40% to 5.30% APY, and you only need $50 to open an account. Here are the interest rates:
EasyStart CD term
APY
6 months
0.40%
1 year
4.85%
1-year special EasyStart certificate
5.30%
18 months
4.45%
2 years
4.15%
Navy Federal SaveFirst Account Rates
You can open a Navy Federal Credit Union SaveFirst Account with only $5. It pays 0.40% APY, so the rate isn’t great — but you get to choose your own term length between three and 60 months, and unlike with most CDs, you can contribute more money after opening the account.
Navy Federal CD Rates Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
High interest rates on most terms
Compounds dividends daily
Three types of CDs to choose from
Terms as long as seven years
Relatively low minimum opening deposits
You must qualify for membership with Navy Federal before opening a CD
Pays low rates on 6-month terms and SaveFirst accounts
Standard-to-high early withdrawal penalties
How Navy Federal CD Rates Compare
Navy Federal CDs vs. USAA CDs
USAA CD rates are competitive on certain terms. The bank pays up to 5.25% APY, and the best rate between the two institutions may depend on which term you choose.
USAA does have some specialty CDs that let you adjust the interest rate during your term and make additional deposits — but the rates aren’t nearly as high as what Navy Federal offers.
USAA Bank Review
Navy Federal CDs vs. PenFed CDs
Pentagon Federal Credit Union is another credit union for military families. It has certificates with rates up to seven years that pay 3.00% to 5.35% APY. Both credit unions pay strong CD rates overall, but the best rate between the two will depend on which term you choose.
PenFed doesn’t have any specialty CDs like Navy Federal does. It’s also worth noting that although PenFed CD rates are high overall and compound interest daily on most terms, its 6-month CD doesn’t compound interest at all.
PenFed Review
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Navy Federal CDs
To review Navy Federal Credit Union certificates, we used Insider’s certificate of deposit methodology.
We evaluate the company’s ethics, mobile app, and customer service. Then we look at certificates’ interest rates, minimum deposits, variety of terms, and early withdrawal penalties. We give each category a rating between 0 and 5. Then we average their scores together and assign each CD a score from 0 to 5.
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews senior editor at Insider. She oversees coverage about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, investing, retirement , and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She was a writer and editor for Insider’s “The Road to Home” series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for seven years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at ltarpley@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
Evelyn He
Compliance Associate
Evelyn He is a compliance associate at Insider who supports the Personal Finance Insider team. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that Insider readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Before joining Insider, she served in various legal and compliance roles in different industries, including the legal and pharmaceutical industries. Evelyn obtained her M.S. degree in Marketing at Boston University in 2022. Prior to combining and consolidating her knowledge of law and business, she spent one year finishing 1L courses at Suffolk University Law School to further her legal knowledge. She has also completed MBA business law courses while working on her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 14-year-old Shih Tzu named Money, and her 5-year-old Bichon named Tibber.
Earn up to a $250 bonus with qualifying direct deposits for eligible customers through 12/31/2023. Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) with direct deposit
There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.60% APY for savings. Members without direct deposit will earn up to 1.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Navy Federal Credit Union Standard Certificate
Start saving
NFCU, NCUA Insured
Insider’s Rating
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.45% to 4.95%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$1,000
Pros
Competitive APY, even for lower balances
Terms up to 7 years
Cons
$1,000 opening deposit
Minimum $100k to earn highest APY with some terms
Standard-to-high early withdrawal penalties
Insider’s Take
Navy Federal CD rates are high overall, with the exception of its 6-month terms — you’ll find the best 6-month CD rates elsewhere. The SaveFirst Account rates are only so-so, but they’re some of the few CDs out there that allow you to add more money to your account during the term.
Product Details
Join Navy Federal Credit Union as an active military member, military veteran, Department of Defense employee/retiree, or family member of any of the aforementioned groups
354 branches worldwide, including on select military bases
Terms ranging from 3 months to 7 years
Earn higher APY with a higher balance
Early withdrawal penalty of 90 days dividends for terms of 3 months to 1 year; 180 days dividends for terms of 1 year to 5 years; 365 days interest for terms of 6 and 7 years
Navy Federal Credit Union (federally insured by the NCUA) is one of the best institutions for the military, and it pays competitive rates on share certificates — what credit unions call CDs. It has three types of CDs: Standard, EasyStart, and SaveFirst. Your CD rate and minimum deposit will depend on which type of CD you open.
Navy Federal CD Rates
Navy Federal Standard Certificate Rates
The Navy Federal Credit Union Standard Certificate pays 0.45% to 4.95% APY (Annual Percentage Yield). There’s a $1,000 minimum deposit, but it has a tiered interest rate system so you’ll earn more with higher deposits. Right now, you won’t earn the best rate unless you have at least $100,000.
CD Term
$1k Minimum APY
$20k Minimum APY
$100k Minimum APY
3 months
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
6 months
0.45%
0.45%
0.50%
1 year
4.90%
4.90%
4.95%
18 months
4.50%
4.50%
4.55%
2 years
4.20%
4.20%
4.25%
3 years
4.20%
4.20%
4.25%
5 years
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
7 years
4.00%
4.00%
4.05%
Navy Federal EasyStart Certificate Rates
The Navy Federal Credit Union EasyStart℠ Certificate pays 0.40% to 5.30% APY, and you only need $50 to open an account. Here are the interest rates:
EasyStart CD term
APY
6 months
0.40%
1 year
4.85%
1-year special EasyStart certificate
5.30%
18 months
4.45%
2 years
4.15%
Navy Federal SaveFirst Account Rates
You can open a Navy Federal Credit Union SaveFirst Account with only $5. It pays 0.40% APY, so the rate isn’t great — but you get to choose your own term length between three and 60 months, and unlike with most CDs, you can contribute more money after opening the account.
Navy Federal CD Rates Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
High interest rates on most terms
Compounds dividends daily
Three types of CDs to choose from
Terms as long as seven years
Relatively low minimum opening deposits
You must qualify for membership with Navy Federal before opening a CD
Pays low rates on 6-month terms and SaveFirst accounts
Standard-to-high early withdrawal penalties
How Navy Federal CD Rates Compare
Navy Federal CDs vs. USAA CDs
USAA CD rates are competitive on certain terms. The bank pays up to 5.25% APY, and the best rate between the two institutions may depend on which term you choose.
USAA does have some specialty CDs that let you adjust the interest rate during your term and make additional deposits — but the rates aren’t nearly as high as what Navy Federal offers.
USAA Bank Review
Navy Federal CDs vs. PenFed CDs
Pentagon Federal Credit Union is another credit union for military families. It has certificates with rates up to seven years that pay 3.00% to 5.35% APY. Both credit unions pay strong CD rates overall, but the best rate between the two will depend on which term you choose.
PenFed doesn’t have any specialty CDs like Navy Federal does. It’s also worth noting that although PenFed CD rates are high overall and compound interest daily on most terms, its 6-month CD doesn’t compound interest at all.
PenFed Review
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Navy Federal CDs
To review Navy Federal Credit Union certificates, we used Insider’s certificate of deposit methodology.
We evaluate the company’s ethics, mobile app, and customer service. Then we look at certificates’ interest rates, minimum deposits, variety of terms, and early withdrawal penalties. We give each category a rating between 0 and 5. Then we average their scores together and assign each CD a score from 0 to 5.
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews senior editor at Insider. She oversees coverage about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, investing, retirement , and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She was a writer and editor for Insider’s “The Road to Home” series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for seven years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at ltarpley@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
Evelyn He
Compliance Associate
Evelyn He is a compliance associate at Insider who supports the Personal Finance Insider team. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that Insider readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Before joining Insider, she served in various legal and compliance roles in different industries, including the legal and pharmaceutical industries. Evelyn obtained her M.S. degree in Marketing at Boston University in 2022. Prior to combining and consolidating her knowledge of law and business, she spent one year finishing 1L courses at Suffolk University Law School to further her legal knowledge. She has also completed MBA business law courses while working on her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 14-year-old Shih Tzu named Money, and her 5-year-old Bichon named Tibber.
Earn up to a $250 bonus with qualifying direct deposits for eligible customers through 12/31/2023. Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) with direct deposit
There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.60% APY for savings. Members without direct deposit will earn up to 1.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet