Best 1-Year Credit Union CD Rates for March 2025: Maximize Your Savings

Are you searching for a secure, high-yield option to grow your savings over the next year? A 1-year credit union CD (certificate of deposit), also known as a share certificate, might just be the perfect fit. These financial products offer a fixed annual percentage yield (APY), ensuring your money earns a guaranteed return over a 12-month term. Unlike traditional bank CDs, share certificates are offered by member-owned credit unions, blending competitive rates with a community-focused approach. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best 1-year credit union CD rates for March 2025, helping you make an informed decision to boost your financial future.

At Insurascape, our mission is to empower you with the knowledge to make smarter financial choices. We’ve scoured the market to bring you the top-performing 1-year share certificates from credit unions across the U.S., complete with their APYs, minimum deposit requirements, and membership details. Whether you’re a seasoned saver or just starting out, this blog post will serve as your roadmap to finding the ideal CD to meet your goals. Let’s dive in!

Why Choose a 1-Year Credit Union CD?

Before we jump into the top picks, let’s unpack why a 1-year credit union CD is worth considering. These financial tools are designed to hold your money for a fixed period—12 months in this case—while offering a predictable return. Unlike volatile stock investments, CDs provide safety and stability, backed by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insurance up to $250,000 per depositor. This makes them an excellent choice for short-term savings goals, such as building an emergency fund, saving for a vacation, or preparing for a big purchase.

Credit unions stand out from banks because they’re not-for-profit entities owned by their members. This structure often translates to better rates and lower fees compared to traditional banks. While banks offer CDs that earn interest, credit unions provide share certificates that pay dividends. However, the end result is the same: a solid return on your investment, measurable through the APY. With the average 1-year CD yield sitting at 1.86% APY as of March 24, 2025, according to Insurascape’s latest survey, the credit unions on our list far exceed this benchmark, offering nearly three times the national average.

Insurascape’s Top Picks for 1-Year Credit Union CD Rates

Here’s our carefully curated list of the best 1-year credit union CD rates for March 2025. These options are selected based on their competitive APYs, reasonable minimum deposits, and accessibility to savers nationwide. Rates are accurate as of January 23, 2025, but may vary by region or change over time, so always verify with the credit union before opening an account.

Credit Union	APY	Minimum Deposit
State Employees’ Credit Union	4.65%	$250
Delta Community Credit Union	4.05%	$1,000
Suncoast Credit Union	4.50%	$500
America First Credit Union	4.35%	$500
Navy Federal Credit Union	4.00%	$1,000
Alliant Credit Union	4.25%	$1,000
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union	4.20%	$20,000
Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union	4.05%	$20,000
VyStar Credit Union	3.90%	$500
Pentagon Federal Credit Union	3.65%	$1,000
First Technology Federal Credit Union	3.55%	$500
Boeing Employees’ Credit Union	2.75%	$500

1. State Employees’ Credit Union: 4.65% APY, $250 Minimum Deposit

Kicking off our list is State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), boasting an impressive 4.65% APY—one of the highest rates available. With a low minimum deposit of just $250, this CD is accessible to a wide range of savers. SECU, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, serves 2.8 million members across 275 branches, all within the state.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to North Carolina state employees, federal employees assigned to state agencies, public board of education employees, county workers in specific sectors, and their immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, or siblings).
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: You’ll forfeit 90 days’ worth of interest or all accrued interest, whichever is less.

2. Delta Community Credit Union: 4.05% APY, $1,000 Minimum Deposit

Delta Community Credit Union offers a solid 4.05% APY with a $1,000 minimum deposit. Founded in 1940 by eight Delta Air Lines employees, this credit union now serves over 500,000 members, primarily in metro Atlanta, with 29 branches in the area and three outside Georgia.

• Membership Eligibility: Available to residents or workers in metro Atlanta, as well as employees of over 150 partner businesses, including Delta Air Lines, Chick-fil-A, and UPS.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 days of interest.

3. Suncoast Credit Union: 4.50% APY, $500 Minimum Deposit

Suncoast Credit Union delivers a robust 4.50% APY with a $500 minimum deposit. Established in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, it crossed the one-million-member mark in 2022. Suncoast offers standard CDs, jumbo CDs, and a unique “Smart Start Certificate” for recurring deposits.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to those who live, work, attend school, or worship in eligible Florida counties served by Suncoast.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 days of dividends for terms of 12 months or less; 180 days for longer terms.

4. America First Credit Union: 4.35% APY, $500 Minimum Deposit

America First Credit Union provides a competitive 4.35% APY and a $500 minimum deposit. This credit union offers a variety of CD options, including regular CDs, IRA CDs, and bump-rate CDs, giving savers flexibility.

• Membership Eligibility: Serves individuals who live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in select counties across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 60 days of dividends, with a $5 minimum fee.

5. Navy Federal Credit Union: 4.00% APY, $1,000 Minimum Deposit

Navy Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest credit union with 13 million members, offers a 4.00% APY and requires a $1,000 minimum deposit. Beyond CDs, it provides a full suite of financial products, including checking, savings, loans, and credit cards.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to Department of Defense and Coast Guard active duty, civilian, contract personnel, veterans, and their families.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: The lesser of 90 days’ dividends or all dividends earned since issuance or renewal.

6. Alliant Credit Union: 4.25% APY, $1,000 Minimum Deposit

Alliant Credit Union offers a strong 4.25% APY with a $1,000 minimum deposit. Known for competitive rates and low minimums, Alliant also provides traditional, Roth, and SEP IRA CDs.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to employees or retirees of partner businesses, residents near its Chicago headquarters, or anyone willing to pay a $5 fee to become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation advocate (donated by Alliant).
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: Dividends for the number of days the CD is open, capped at 90 days.

7. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: 4.20% APY, $20,000 Minimum Deposit

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union offers a 4.20% APY, but it requires a heftier $20,000 minimum deposit to achieve this rate. With terms ranging from 30 days to five years and tiered APYs based on deposit size ($500, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000), it’s ideal for those with larger savings.

• Membership Eligibility: Serves California’s educational community, including school employees, retirees, and their immediate family members.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 days of dividends.

8. Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union: 4.05% APY, $20,000 Minimum Deposit

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union matches Delta’s 4.05% APY but requires a $20,000 minimum deposit for this rate. It also offers a fee-free checking account alongside its CD options.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to those who live, work, attend school, or worship in one of over 4,000 eligible areas.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 60 days of interest.

9. VyStar Credit Union: 3.90% APY, $500 Minimum Deposit

VyStar Credit Union provides a 3.90% APY with a $500 minimum deposit. It offers 10 CD terms, from three months to five years, catering to various savings timelines.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to residents or workers in 49 Florida counties or specific Georgia counties listed on its website.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 180 days of dividends.

10. Pentagon Federal Credit Union: 3.65% APY, $1,000 Minimum Deposit

Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) offers a 3.65% APY with a $1,000 minimum deposit. With nine CD terms ranging from six months to seven years, PenFed provides flexibility.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to anyone with a $5 savings account balance; some benefits may require military affiliation.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: All dividends earned in the first year.

11. First Technology Federal Credit Union: 3.55% APY, $500 Minimum Deposit

First Technology Federal Credit Union delivers a 3.55% APY with a $500 minimum deposit. Its CDs range from six months to five years.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to residents or workers in Lane County, Oregon; employees of Oregon state or partner companies; members of certain associations; or family/household members of existing members.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 180 days of simple dividends.

12. Boeing Employees’ Credit Union: 2.75% APY, $500 Minimum Deposit

Rounding out our list is Boeing Employees’ Credit Union (BECU) with a 2.75% APY and a $500 minimum deposit. One of the nation’s largest credit unions with over 1.4 million members, BECU offers a range of CDs and specialty options like bump-up CDs.

• Membership Eligibility: Open to Boeing employees, BECU employees, credit union members, or residents/employees in Washington and parts of Idaho and Oregon.
• Early Withdrawal Penalty: 30 days of interest for terms of one year or less; 90 days for longer terms.

What Is a 1-Year Credit Union CD or Share Certificate?

A 1-year credit union CD, or share certificate, mirrors the structure of a bank-issued CD but comes with a credit union twist. While banks are for-profit entities, credit unions operate as member-owned, not-for-profit organizations. This distinction means share certificates earn dividends instead of interest, though the APY allows for an apples-to-apples comparison. Both products lock your funds for a set term—here, 12 months—and reward you with a fixed return, making them a low-risk option for savers.

The national average 1-year CD yield, as tracked by Insurascape on March 24, 2025, is 1.86% APY. The credit unions on our list significantly outpace this figure, offering rates that can triple your earnings compared to the average.

How to Find the Best 1-Year Share Certificate for You

Choosing the right 1-year share certificate requires a strategic approach. Here’s how to narrow down your options and secure the best deal:

1. Compare APYs: The annual percentage yield is your key metric. Higher APYs mean more earnings, so prioritize credit unions offering rates well above the national average.
2. Evaluate Minimum Deposits: Match the minimum deposit to your available funds. Options like State Employees’ Credit Union ($250) cater to smaller savers, while SchoolsFirst ($20,000) suits those with larger sums.
3. Check Membership Requirements: Ensure you qualify for membership. Some credit unions, like Alliant, offer easy entry with a small donation, while others, like Navy Federal, have specific affiliations.
4. Understand Early Withdrawal Penalties: Life is unpredictable. Know the penalty for accessing funds early—most range from 30 to 180 days of dividends—to avoid surprises.
5. Research Financial Stability: Stick to NCUA-insured credit unions for peace of mind, ensuring your money is protected up to $250,000.

Credit unions often blend competitive yields with local branch access and personalized service, making them a compelling alternative to online banks. As Insurascape’s analysis shows, some of the highest APYs on 1-year CDs come from credit unions, so don’t overlook them in your search.

Banks vs. Credit Unions: Who Offers Better Rates?

When it comes to savings accounts, online FDIC-insured banks typically edge out NCUA-insured credit unions in yield, according to Insurascape’s data. However, for 1-year CDs, the gap narrows significantly. The top online banks and leading credit unions often deliver comparable APYs, making it a close race. For instance, State Employees’ Credit Union’s 4.65% APY rivals the best bank offerings, proving credit unions can hold their own.

To find your perfect fit, compare rates from both banks and credit unions. Online banks may excel in convenience, but credit unions often provide higher yields and a member-centric experience.

FAQs About Best 1-Year Credit Union CD Rates

Final Thoughts: Secure Your Savings Today

A 1-year credit union CD is a powerful tool to grow your savings with guaranteed returns and minimal risk. With rates like 4.65% APY from State Employees’ Credit Union or 4.50% from Suncoast Credit Union, you can far exceed the national average of 1.86% APY. Whether you’re saving for a short-term goal or simply parking cash securely, these top picks from Insurascape offer something for everyone.

Ready to lock in a great rate? Start by checking your eligibility with these credit unions and comparing their APYs to your financial needs. Act fast—rates can shift, and securing a high yield now ensures your money works harder for you in 2025. Happy saving!