Air Force Federal Credit Union Certificates (CDs)
APY Range
Minimum Deposit
Our Rating
Terms
Certificates (CDs) Rates
Air Force Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) offers a variety of certificates (CDs) with competitive interest rates. The interest rate you earn on your CD will depend on the term of the CD, the amount you deposit, and your membership status. The rates for 18 months term and 24 months are among the highest in the market.
AFFCU also offers jumbo CDs with terms of 6 months – 7 years. Jumbo CDs require a minimum deposit of $100,000, and this is the difference in rates between regular and jumbo CDs.
Term | APY |
|---|---|
6 Months | 2.95% |
12 Months | 3.00% |
18 Months | 3.20% |
24 Months | 3.10% |
36 Months | 3.20% |
60 Months | 3.40% |
72 Months | 2.95% |
How are The Certificate Rates Compared To Other Credit Unions?
AFFCU certificate rates are highly competitive when compared to other credit unions, and are often among the highest in the nation. This can be observed by comparing the table below, which shows that other credit unions generally offer lower rates than Air Force Federal Credit Union.
Additionally, the minimum deposit required by Air Force Federal Credit Union is reasonable and compares favorably to other credit unions. These CD rates generally rank among the most competitive CD rates offered by credit unions.
Credit Union | CD Range | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
2.00% – 4.35% | $1,000 | |
3.1% – 4.1%
| $1,000 | |
3.51% – 4.85% | $5,000 | |
0.50% – 4.10%
| $250 | |
3.40% – 4.35%
| $1,000 | |
1.00% – 3.50%
| $50 | |
3.70% – 3.95%
| $10,000 | |
3.00% – 4.00%
| $500 | |
3.26% – 4.00%
| $1,000 | |
1.50% – 4.15%
| $1,000 |
Is It Competitive Rates Compared to Banks?
Air Force Federal Credit Union's certificate rates are highly competitive when compared to traditional banks such as Chase, PNC, and Bank of America, across almost every CD term.
Although higher CD rates can be found on some online banks, AFFCU remains competitive in this area as well, making it one of the best options for obtaining favorable rates to keep your money, as of December 2025.
CD APY Range | Minimum Deposit | |
|---|---|---|
Marcus | 3.85% – 4.25%
| $500 |
Barclays Bank | 3.00% – 4.00% | $0 |
PNC Bank | 0.01% – 3.90%
| $1 |
Bread Financial | 4.25% – 4.75% | $1,500 |
Capital One | 3.50% – 4.00%
| $0 |
Chase Bank | 0.02% – 3.80%
| $1,000 |
Discover Bank | 2.00% – 4.00%
| $0 |
CIT Bank | 0.30% – 3.35%
| $1,000 |
Ally Bank | 2.90% – 3.90% | $0 |
Citi Bank | 0.05% – 4.00%
| $500 |
Merrick Bank | 3.60% – 4.05%
| $25,000 |
Vanguard | 3.75% – 4.25%
| $1,000 |
BMO Harris | 0.05% – 4.50% | $1,000 |
Wells Fargo | 1.50% – 3.65%
| $2,500 |
Synchrony Bank | Up to 4.15% | $0 |
TD Bank | 1.00% – 4.00% | $250 |
LendingClub | 3.40% – 4.45%
| $2,500 |
Can You Join Air Force Federal Credit Union?
Air Force FCU is a financial institution that primarily serves military personnel and their families. Membership eligibility for AFFCU is based on living, working, worshiping, attending school, or having a business or legal entity located within one of the following areas:
- San Antonio, Texas, and its qualified areas
- Del Rio, Texas, and surrounding counties
- Mississippi counties of Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha
Also,you can become a member if you meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
You are a current or retired member of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserves.
You are a civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defense, including contractors who work on military installations.
You are an immediate family member of a current Air Force FCU member, including spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and household members.
Lastly, AFFCU membership is open to anyone who makes a small one-time donation of $10 or $25 to the Dream Educational Foundation or the Airman Heritage Foundation, respectively.
If you meet any of these eligibility requirements, you can apply for membership by completing an online application on the credit union's website or by visiting one of their branches in person. You will need to provide some personal information and identification documents as part of the application process.
About Air Force Federal Credit Union
Air Force Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) was founded in 1952 by 10 Airmen volunteers, who donated $5 each. In 1953, it was operating from a one-room office on Lackland Air Force Base.
On March 15, 2002, Lackland FCU changed its name to AFFCU. The name change helped the credit union to better identify with its membership as well as create a vision for the future.
In 2006, AFFCU joined the CO-OP Financial Services giving members access to over 30,000 ATMs worldwide surcharge-free.
These days, AFFCU offers a wide range of financial products and services, including savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, and investments. AFFCU also offers a number of convenient features, such as free ATM use, online banking, and mobile banking.
FAQs
Can you negotiate the interest rate on a CD?
While the bank or credit union sets the interest rate on a CD and is generally non-negotiable, you may get higher rates if you negotiate, especially if you deposit a high amount.
Can you add more money to a CD after it is opened?
No, you cannot add more money to a CD after it is opened. You would need to open a new CD with a new deposit.
Can you withdraw money from a CD before it matures?
Yes, but there may be penalties for early withdrawal, such as loss of interest or a fee. It's important to check with your bank or credit union for their specific policies.
Are CDs insured by the FDIC?
Yes, CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor per insured bank.
How We Rate Certificates of Deposits: Our Methodology
The Smart Investor team has thoroughly examined certificate of deposit (CD) offerings from various banks, considering multiple factors to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Here's how we rated them across four key categories:
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CD Rates (50%): We meticulously analyzed the interest rates offered by each bank on their certificate of deposit (CD) products. Higher ratings were awarded to banks offering competitive rates that provide maximum returns for customers' investments. Factors such as the yield curve, current market conditions, and consistency of rates were considered to assess the attractiveness of each bank's CD rates.
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CD Features (30%): This category evaluated the features associated with each bank's certificate of deposit offerings. Factors considered include the variety of terms available, early withdrawal penalties, minimum deposit requirements, and any additional features or benefits. Higher ratings were given to banks offering a diverse range of CD terms, reasonable early withdrawal fees, and flexible options to meet customers' investment needs.
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Customer Experience (10%): A positive customer experience is paramount, even when investing in CDs. We assessed each bank's performance in this area, considering factors such as the ease of opening a CD account, the responsiveness of customer service, and overall user satisfaction. Higher ratings were assigned to banks with efficient account opening processes, helpful customer support, and a track record of satisfying customers.
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Bank Reputation (10%): The reputation of a bank is a critical consideration when investing in CDs. We evaluated each bank's reputation based on factors such as financial stability, regulatory compliance, and public perception. Higher ratings were given to banks with a solid reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, ensuring customers' investments are safe and secure.
By considering these categories and assigning appropriate weights to each, our review aims to provide valuable insights to help individuals make informed decisions when investing in certificate of deposits.
