Certificates for the Omaha Community
Kellogg Credit Union pays up to 4.00% APY* on certificates, which is higher than the national average bank CD rate as of December 2025 per NCUA data. We offer terms from 6 months to 5 years.
*Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal
Current Certificate Rates in Omaha
| Term | Dividend | APY* | Minimum Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | 3.93% | 4.00% | $500 |
| 12 Months | 3.93% | 4.00% | $500 |
| 18 Months | 3.20% | 3.25% | $500 |
| 24 Months | 2.96% | 3.00% | $500 |
| 36 Months | 2.48% | 2.50% | $500 |
| 48 Months | 2.48% | 2.50% | $500 |
| 60 Months | 2.48% | 2.50% | $500 |
*APY (Annual Percentage Yield) KCU pays dividends monthly on the last day of each month. Withdrawal of dividends and fees may reduce earnings on this account. Rates are subject to change without notice. Must be a member of Kellogg Credit Union.
To open a certificate, call us at (402) 593-2680
What is a Share Certificate, and How Does It Compare to a Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
A share certificate is a credit union savings account that pays a fixed dividend rate for a fixed term. You deposit a lump sum and agree to leave it alone for a set period. In return, Kellogg Credit Union pays you a higher dividend rate than a standard savings account. The rate is locked when you open the certificate, so your return doesn't rise and fall with the market. That makes it a middle ground between everyday savings and riskier investments.
A share certificate is the credit union version of a certificate of deposit (CD). Both lock in a fixed rate for a fixed term. The difference is who offers them and how you earn. Banks offer CDs that earn interest. Credit unions offer share certificates that earn dividends at a fixed rate locked in when you open the account. Because Kellogg Credit Union is member-owned and not-for-profit, earnings benefit members — not outside shareholders.
| Share Certificate | Certificate of Deposit | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Credit unions | Traditional banks |
| Earnings | Dividends | Interest |
| Insurer | National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), up to $250,000 | Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), up to $250,000 |
Why Members Choose a Certificate
- Locked-in rate
- Higher earnings than a savings account
- Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
- A range of terms to fit your needs
Credit Unions Pay More on Certificates
According to NCUA data comparing national bank and credit union rates, credit unions have consistently paid higher average returns on certificates than banks, which can be tied directly to their not-for-profit, member-owned structure. For example, in December 2025, a 4-year CD with $10,000 invested from a credit union had an average rate that was 37% higher than the average bank CD rate (2.77% vs 2.02%).
Here’s what else sets a Kellogg Credit Union certificate apart from one at a bank: KCU is a not-for-profit, member-owned institution. There are no outside shareholders collecting a cut of the profits. The dividends we pay on certificates come directly back to Omaha members, not to investors on Wall Street.
When you open a certificate here, you’re not just growing your own savings. You’re supporting a member-owned institution serving the Omaha community.
Building a Certificate Ladder
A certificate ladder (also known as a CD ladder) is a savings strategy where you split a lump sum of money across multiple certificates with staggered maturity dates. In other words, instead of putting all your savings into one certificate, you split it across several terms.
For example, 12, 24, and 36 months. As each one matures, you can reinvest it at the current rate or use the funds if you need them. This gives you regular access to part of your savings while still earning certificate-level rates on the rest. Ask a KCU representative to help you build a ladder that fits your timeline.
Our branches offer a wide variety of bank accounts, checking, and saving certificates to fit your financial needs.
- Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal
- Your funds are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
To open a certificate, call us at (402) 593-268.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are safe places to grow your savings, but they work differently. A high-yield savings account lets you deposit or withdraw money anytime, and the rate can change as market conditions shift. A certificate locks in your rate for a set term, so you know exactly what you'll earn, but you agree not to touch the funds until it matures. If you want flexibility, a savings account may be the better fit. If you want a guaranteed rate and won't need the money for a while, a certificate typically pays more.
When your certificate reaches its maturity date, you'll have a grace period of 10 days to decide what to do with the funds. You can renew the certificate at the current rate, move the funds to another account, or withdraw them. If you don't take action during the grace period, your certificate will automatically renew for the same term at the current rate.
If you withdraw funds from your certificate before it matures, you'll forfeit a portion of the dividends earned, typically calculated as a set number of months of dividends depending on the certificate's term. At KCU, the penalty is 90 days of dividends for terms under 12 months; 180 days for longer terms.
Dividends earned on a certificate are generally taxable in the year they're earned, even if you haven't withdrawn the funds or the certificate hasn't matured yet. We will send you a Form 1099-INT if your dividends meet the IRS reporting threshold. Since tax situations vary, we recommend speaking with a tax advisor about how certificate earnings affect your specific return.
There's no maximum deposit limit on a certificate. Keep in mind that NCUA insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. If you're depositing more than that, ask a KCU representative about structuring your accounts to keep your full balance insured.
A standard certificate is a one-time deposit. Once it's open, you can't add funds until it matures. If you want to keep contributing to your savings regularly, consider pairing your certificate with a savings account, or ask about opening an additional certificate later.
