Banking » Reviews » Mountain America Credit Union CDs Review: Great Options For Investors
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Mountain America Credit Union CDs Review: Great Options For Investors

Mountain America Credit Union offers standard, growth, and young certificates with highly competitive rates and a low minimum deposit
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 20, 2023
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: November 1, 2023

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Mountain America Credit Union Certificates

Mountain America Credit Union logo
Mountain America Credit Union logo

Mountain America Credit Union Certificates

APY Range

4.00% – 5.50%

Minimum Deposit

$500

Terms

6 months – 5 years

Our Rating

4.5
4.5/5

Certificates Options, Rates And Conditions

Mountain America provides highly competitive rates and a diverse range of certificates that offer intriguing options for investors.

These options include a rate bump option and growth certificates, which allow investors to conveniently add more funds after the initial opening. The terms available for these certificates span from 6 months – 5 years, providing flexibility to suit different investment preferences.

Additionally, Mountain America requires a remarkably low minimum deposit for these certificates. It's important to note that these certificates are insured by the NCUA, providing a safety net for investors with coverage of at least $250,000.

Mountain America offers a standard certificate with attractive features. One notable aspect is its competitive rates, which are among the highest credit union CD rates and overall in the country for all available terms. To open an account, a minimum deposit of $500 is required.

An interesting feature of the standard certificate is the rate bump option. This means that if a higher interest rate becomes available during the term of the certificate, holders of the standard certificate have the opportunity to “bump up” to that higher rate. This allows investors to take advantage of potential rate increases and maximize their earnings.

When adding a bump option to an eligible certificate during account opening, the dividend rate is reduced by 0.25%.

Standard Certificate Term
APY
6 Months
5.50%
12 Months
5.25%
18 Months
4.50%
24 Months
4.50%
30 Months
4.50%
36 Months
4.50%
48 Months
4.00%
60 Months
4.00%

The Growth certificates offered by Mountain America provide a convenient and flexible way to save with long-term CDs. These certificates have the following features:

  • Minimum deposit: You can open a Growth CD account with just $5, making it accessible to a wide range of savers.

  • Additional funds: Unlike standard certificates, you have the flexibility to add money to your Growth CD account at any time. However, there is a cumulative cap of $100,000 for the total amount you can deposit.

  • Monthly deposit requirement: To maintain the Growth CD, you are required to set up an automated monthly deposit of at least $10. This helps you consistently contribute to your savings over time.

  • No rate bump option: Unlike some other certificate options, the Growth CD does not offer a rate bump option. The interest rate remains constant throughout the term of the certificate.

Growth Certificate Term
APY
6 Months (Compare )
5.50%
12 Months (Compare)
5.25%
18 Months (Compare)
4.50%
24 Months (Compare)
4.50%
30 Months
4.50%
36 Months (Compare)
4.50%
48 Months (Compare)
4.00%
60 Months (Compare)
4.00%

Youth Certificates are specialized certificates designed for individuals aged 27 and younger. Here are the key features:

  • Flexible Deposits: Account holders can add funds to their deposit balance at any time throughout the year. This provides the convenience of contributing additional money whenever desired.

  • Automatic Renewal: Once the account holder reaches the age of 28 (on their 28th birthday), the youth Certificateautomatically renews as a standard certificate. This ensures continued investment opportunities beyond the youth Certificate program.

  • Grace Period: At the maturity of the youth Certificate, there is a 10-day grace period during which the account can be closed without incurring any penalties. This provides flexibility for account holders to evaluate their options and make decisions without any immediate consequences.

Mountain America Certificates Early Withdrawal Penalty

The penalties for early withdrawal from a certificate depend on the term length and the amount being withdrawn. Here's a summary:

  • For terms of 12 months or less, there is a penalty of 90 days' worth of dividends.
  • For terms greater than 12 months and less than 48 months, the penalty is 180 days' worth of dividends.
  • For terms of 48 months or longer, the penalty increases to 365 days' worth of dividends.

It's important to note that the penalty is only applied to the amount being withdrawn from the certificate.

Does Mountain America Certificate Rates Competitive?

Indeed, Mountain America Credit Union offers some of the most competitive certificate rates available in the market. There are very good short-term CD rates like 6 months and 12 months, their rates stand out as exceptionally high.

It's rare to find other financial institutions offering such elevated rates across various terms. The inclusion of features like the rate bump option and the ability to add funds to Certificates after opening makes it an appealing choice for opening a Certificate account.

Additionally, Mountain America Credit Union sets a remarkably low minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for a wide range of investors. Furthermore, their early withdrawal fees are reasonable, ensuring a fair balance between flexibility and accountability.

To compare the rates in detail, please refer to the following table:

CD APY Range
Minimum Deposit
Mountain America Credit Union
4.00% – 5.50%
$500
Marcus
4.00% – 5.20%
$500
Barclays Bank
4.45% – 5.50%
$0
Quontic Bank
4.30% – 5.30%
$500
PenFed Credit Union
2.00% – 4.35%
$1,000
Alliant Credit Union
4.27% – 5.30%
$1,000
Sallie Mae
4.00% – 5.30%
$2,500
Bread Financial
4.25% – 4.75%
$1,500
Capital One
4.10% – 5.30%
$0
Discover Bank
2.00% – 5.20%
$2,500
CIT Bank
0.30% – 5.00%
$1,000
Ally Bank
3.00% – 5.15%
$0
Citi Bank
0.05% – 5.65%
$500
Connexus Credit Union
3.51% – 4.85%
$5,000
Merrick Bank
4.70% – 5.67%
$25,000
BMO Harris
0.05% – 4.50%
$1,000
Synchrony Bank
2.25% – 5.50%
$0
Alliant Credit Union
4.27% – 5.30%
$1,000
Lafayette Federal Credit Union
4.53% – 5.56%
$500
TD Bank
1.00% – 5.50%
$250
Navy Federal
0.40%
$1,000
LendingClub
4.00% – 5.65%
$2,500

How To Join Mountain America?

To join Mountain America Credit Union, you have various options to meet the eligibility criteria. You can qualify by residing in specific Utah counties (Residents of Salt Lake County, Duchesne County, Wasatch County, or Uintah County in Utah are eligible for membership.).

You can have a family relationship with an existing member, live with or under the same roof as an existing member, or be an employee or volunteer of a Select Employer Group (SEG) or affiliated association. These criteria ensure that membership is easily attainable and accessible.

You can choose to open your account at one of our branches or take advantage of our convenient online account opening process, which only takes a few minutes to complete.

What Other Financial Products Available?

Mountain America Credit Union provides customers with a comprehensive selection of financial products and services.

Their offerings encompass a wide range of banking and financial solutions, such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), credit cards, home loans, insurance options, and investment products.

This variety ensures that individuals can find the products that best suit their needs and financial goals. Customers can leverage automated account access at any time, day or night, through their user-friendly online and mobile banking platforms. 

About Mountain America Credit Union

Established in the mid-1930s, Mountain America Credit Union is based in Sandy, Utah, and boasts an extensive network of over 90 branches across several states, including Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Nevada.

As a credit union, Mountain America operates under a unique ownership structure where its members are the owners. This distinctive characteristic sets credit unions apart from traditional banks, as their primary focus is not on generating profits for shareholders.

FAQs

You can add a bump option to standard or IRA certificates either during the account opening process or within 10 days of renewal. However, please note that growth and youth certificates are not eligible for the bump option.

Unfortunately, no. To open a certificate, you must first become a member with an active account at Mountain America. Once you meet the eligibility criteria and have an active account, you can proceed to open a certificate.

If you forget to bump up your rate, your certificate's rate will remain the same. Mountain America Credit Union will not make any changes to your certificate without your explicit instruction.

Like all credit unions, Mountain America is owned by its members. This means that the credit union has no shareholders. Instead, any profits generated through its operations are returned to its members in the form of lower loan rates and higher deposit rates.

Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of the market, there may be situations where rates do not increase during the term of your certificate. In such cases, you may not have an opportunity to bump up your rate.

Compare CD Rates

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.