First Community Credit Union share certificates deliver guaranteed dividend rates for fixed terms — no market exposure, no rate fluctuation, no surprises. The current 12-month certificate rate is 4.85% APY on a $500 minimum deposit.
Terms run from 3 months to 60 months. IRA certificates available for both Traditional and Roth IRAs. All certificates are NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per member per account ownership category.
Share certificates are the credit union equivalent of bank certificates of deposit (CDs). At First Community Credit Union, members deposit a minimum of $500 for a fixed term — 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, or 60 months — and the dividend rate is guaranteed for the full term. The 12-month certificate currently yields 4.85% APY. Dividends compound monthly and can be credited to the certificate balance or transferred to a linked share savings account. Early withdrawal penalties apply: 90 days of dividends for terms of 12 months or less, 180 days for longer terms. IRA certificates are available for Traditional and Roth IRA accounts and carry separate NCUA insurance up to $250,000. Certificate laddering — splitting a lump sum across multiple staggered terms — allows members to capture higher rates while maintaining periodic access to funds.
Rates guaranteed for the full term at time of opening. Current as of Q1 2026.
| Term | APY | Min. Deposit | Early Withdrawal Penalty | IRA Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Month | 3.75% APY | $500 | 90 days dividends | Available |
| 6-Month | 4.35% APY | $500 | 90 days dividends | Available |
| 12-Month BEST RATE | 4.85% APY | $500 | 90 days dividends | Available |
| 18-Month | 4.60% APY | $500 | 180 days dividends | Available |
| 24-Month | 4.40% APY | $500 | 180 days dividends | Available |
| 60-Month | 4.10% APY | $500 | 180 days dividends | Available |
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rates guaranteed at time of opening for the full term. Early withdrawal penalty applies to earned dividends first, then principal if necessary. NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per member per account ownership category.
The national average savings rate at banks hovers near 0.46% APY. A standard First Community Credit Union Primary Share Savings account earns 0.20% APY. The 12-month share certificate earns 4.85% APY. On a $10,000 deposit, that difference is meaningful: $485 in guaranteed dividends over 12 months versus $46 in a standard savings account.
The rate is locked at opening. If First Community Credit Union's declared dividend rates drop during the 12-month term — or if broader market rates shift — the certificate holder continues earning 4.85% APY through the maturity date. That guarantee is the core value proposition of any share certificate or CD: certainty in exchange for a fixed-term commitment.
At maturity, the certificate automatically renews for the same term at the then-current rate unless the member directs otherwise during the 10-day grace period. Members who want to redeem or restructure their certificates at maturity can do so through online banking, the mobile app, or by calling (800) 342-8575.
Open a 12-Month Certificate
The main objection to share certificates is the lock-up period. What if you need the money before the term ends? Certificate laddering is the practical solution.
Instead of placing $12,000 into a single 12-month certificate, a member builds a ladder: four certificates of $3,000 each with terms of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Every three months, one certificate matures. The member can take the funds or roll into a new certificate. By the time the original 12-month certificate matures, the cycle has turned four times — each time giving access to $3,000 if needed, or reinvesting if not.
A more aggressive ladder uses six certificates across all available terms: 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 60 months. As short-term certificates mature every few months, the member either spends the funds or rolls into the longest available term to capture the highest rate. Over time the portfolio shifts toward longer-term, higher-rate certificates. The 60-month certificate locks in a guaranteed rate regardless of future rate movements.
Start a Certificate Ladder
Combine the tax advantages of an IRA with the guaranteed rates of a share certificate.
Contributions may be tax-deductible. Earnings grow tax-deferred inside the certificate term. Same rates as standard certificates — currently 4.85% APY on 12 months. RMDs begin at age 73. IRA certificate deposits are separately insured by the NCUA up to $250,000.
After-tax contributions. Qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free, including all dividends earned inside the certificate. No required minimum distributions during the account owner's lifetime. Same rates and terms as standard certificates. Separately insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA.
Members can roll over existing IRA accounts from other financial institutions into First Community Credit Union IRA certificates. The rollover must complete within 60 days to avoid IRS taxation. Direct trustee-to-trustee transfers are the cleanest method and have no 60-day limit. Call (800) 342-8575 to initiate a rollover or transfer.
The NCUA provides information on how share certificates and IRA accounts are insured at ncua.gov.
A share certificate is the credit union equivalent of a bank certificate of deposit (CD). Members deposit a fixed amount for a set term — 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, or 60 months — and earn a guaranteed dividend rate for the full duration. The rate is locked at opening. Share certificates are NCUA-insured up to $250,000 and require a minimum deposit of $500. Dividends compound monthly and credit either to the certificate or to a linked share savings account based on member preference.
The current rate on a First Community Credit Union 12-month share certificate is 4.85% APY. This rate is guaranteed for the full 12-month term regardless of changes to First Community Credit Union's declared dividend rates during that period. On a $10,000 deposit, 4.85% APY produces approximately $485 in dividends over 12 months. The certificate auto-renews at maturity unless the member redirects funds during the 10-day grace period following maturity.
Early withdrawal penalties at First Community Credit Union depend on the certificate term. For certificates with terms of 12 months or less, the penalty is 90 days of dividends on the withdrawn amount. For certificates with terms greater than 12 months (18-month, 24-month, and 60-month), the penalty is 180 days of dividends. The penalty is deducted from earned dividends first; if earned dividends are insufficient to cover the penalty, the balance is deducted from principal. Partial early withdrawals are permitted if the remaining balance meets the $500 minimum.
Yes. First Community Credit Union IRA share certificates are available for both Traditional and Roth IRAs. They carry the same terms, rates, and minimum deposit requirements as standard certificates. IRA certificate deposits are separately insured by the NCUA up to $250,000, independent of standard share account insurance. Contribution limits follow IRS guidelines for IRA accounts. Rollovers from other institutions are accepted — contact member services at (800) 342-8575 for rollover instructions.
Certificate laddering is a strategy where a member splits funds across multiple certificates with staggered maturity dates rather than committing everything to a single term. For example, $12,000 split into four $3,000 certificates maturing in 3, 6, 12, and 24 months creates a ladder where one certificate matures at regular intervals. As each matures, the member can reinvest at the then-current rate or access the funds. Laddering captures competitive rates on longer terms while maintaining periodic liquidity — solving the main drawback of fixed-term products without sacrificing dividend income.
Share certificates work best alongside a complete savings strategy.
Primary Share, holiday club, youth savings, and IRA savings — liquid accounts earning dividends with no monthly fees or minimums on core products.
Tiered dividends up to 1.55% APY with complete liquidity, check-writing, and debit card access. Ideal for your emergency fund tier.
Free checking with no monthly fees, ATM fee rebates up to $25/month, and real-time debit card controls for First Community Credit Union members.
Explore every First Community Credit Union product — from savings and share certificates to loans, mortgages, and digital banking tools.
A $500 minimum deposit starts earning a guaranteed 4.85% APY on the 12-month certificate. Open online in minutes or call (800) 342-8575 to speak with a member services representative.
Open a Share Certificate
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