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Certificate Account
A low-risk investment in your future
This insured investment helps grow your savings by earning higher rates for longer investment cycles
Higher rates for longer terms
Certificate accounts offer better rates than a standard savings account. You can also earn a higher rate when you invest for a longer term.
- Earn dividends based on market conditions.
- Keep the same rate throughout the term of the certificate.
- Open a certificate with as little as $500.
- Terms range from 30 days up to five years.
Set up automatic renewal to easily keep investing
Why choose a certificate account?
It's a smarter way to save
You can increase your earnings by reinvesting dividends back into the certificate and compounding monthly.
You can also supplement your income by withdrawing the dividends each month—for certificates that mature in one year or longer.
Because certificate accounts are insured up to $250,000, they’re a low-risk way to invest your money—and a good option for balancing your investment portfolio.
How to open a certificate
You can open a certificate account at any Global branch or online once you become a member.
1
Join the credit union
Becoming a member is quick and easy! Gather a few required documents, and open an account online2
Sign in
Once you're a member, you can add certificate accounts after you sign in to your account online3
Add a Certificate
Go to the Account Profile tab, then select 'Open Certificate' below the tabs and follow the instructionsCertificate Account FAQs
Certificates are designed to hold your money for a set length of time in exchange for a set rate of return, but there are ways to access the money earlier if you need it:
- You can borrow against your certificate with a Pledge of Certificate loan.
- You may withdraw the money before your certificate matures, but an early withdrawal penalty will be deducted from your balance.
For certificates with terms of 12 months or more, dividends accrue monthly. You can receive your dividends at the end of each calendar month, or have them automatically reinvested back into your certificate to earn more.
For certificates with terms of less than 12 months, dividends are paid when your certificate matures.
When you open your certificate account, you can decide how you want to receive your dividends when the certificate matures—just specify the account where you want the money deposited or request a check. Or, you can automatically reinvest the money in another certificate. You can also change these options at any time during your certificate term.
Certificate laddering is a savings strategy that distributes your funds across multiple certificates with different rates and terms. This allows you to take advantage of the higher rates that are usually available for longer-term certificates, but it also allows you earlier access to the money that you place in shorter-term certificates.
Yes! Members using online account access may elect to receive eStatements, electronic versions of their statements, instead of paper statements in the mail.
How to sign up for eStatements:
- Log in to your account and Click on the "Account Services" tab
- Near the bottom of the page, click on "Receive eStatements only"
- Review and accept the "Electronic Statements and Notices Disclosure Agreement".
If you wish to receive an email reminder when your new eStatement is ready, enter your email address where indicated.
By signing up for eStatements, you are agreeing to receive your statement and important disclosure and regulatory information electronically. Some communications may still be delivered via the mail as required.
The main difference between certificate accounts and certificates of deposits (CDs) are that CDs are products offered by for-profit banks, while certificate accounts are offered by member-owned, not-for-profit credit unions. This means a CD earns interest and certificate accounts earn dividends.
The amount you can earn with a certificate account depends on how much money you put in and what the rates and terms are.
To learn more, try our certificate account calculator.
Certificate laddering helps you take advantage of higher earnings while still giving you access to your funds over time.
Check out our certificate laddering article for more details.
Learn about ways to save
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1Rates are subject to change at any time for any reason. Visit our rates page for full details.
2The disclosed Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is the prospective yield that Global CU anticipates paying for the applicable dividend period. Once the certificate is issued the APY will remain fixed until maturity. The dividend distribution method you select may affect certificate earnings. There is a penalty for early withdrawal from a certificate or tax-deferred IRA certificate. In the event an early withdrawal lowers the certificate balance below the required minimum, the certificate must be canceled or closed, and the forfeiture amount will be calculated using the full balance of the certificate.
3Minimum deposit required is $500. Maturity periods vary from 30 days to 60 months. Certificates are subject to early withdrawal penalties.
There are no qualification or eligibility criteria for members. For complete account information, refer to the Share Account Disclosure Statement. You will also receive one at the time an account is opened.