Certificates
& IRAs
Watch Your Savings Grow
Lock in a great rate with guaranteed returns with one of Bellwether’s savings certificate options and terms. You choose the term and the amount that works the best for you.
Standard Certificate
This savings certificate has a higher dividend rate than most saving products. Dividends earned on a single initial deposit can be added to the certificate or deposited into a savings account for immediate access. This is a great way to have your money work for you.
- A $500 minimum balance to open and obtain dividends
- Various terms - from six months to five years
- Earn bonus dividend rates for members in our loyalty rewards program
IRA Certificate
Benefit from tax advantages when you save money for retirement or education! Bellwether offers both IRA Certificates and IRA Savings Accounts. Choose between a tax-deferred Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, which is not tax-deductible, but allows free tax withdrawals at any time. Consult your tax advisor to determine the best product for your individual needs.
Standard and IRA Certificates offer:
- A $500 minimum balance to open and obtain dividends
- Various terms – from six months to five years
- Bonus divided rates for members in our loyalty rewards program
Choose Your Rate With Our Certificate Calculator
See how much you can earn with a New Hampshire Certificate with our easy-to-use calculator. Choose your rate and the amount of your deposit to estimate your total earnings with Bellwether Community Credit Union. Need in-person assistance?
Visit our Manchester, Nashua, or Bedford branches to get started.
We have also extended our membership to anyone living or working in Essex or Middlesex Counties in Massachusetts!
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Minimum balance to open a Certificate and obtain dividends is $500. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Interest cannot remain on deposit and payout of interest is mandatory for Certificates with a term of greater than one year that require interest payouts at least annually. Deposits for each member are Federally Insured up to $250,000 by the NCUA.
We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues.
Other IRA Options
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Traditional IRA
With a Traditional IRA, you may invest up to the amount allowed by the U.S. Government. Contributions may be partially or fully deductible, depending on your income and whether or not you're participating in an employer-sponsored plan. Withdrawals may not be made without penalty until age 59-1/2 unless they are for higher education expenses or the purchase of a first home. Earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn. Distributions must occur at age 70-1/2.
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Roth IRA
With a Roth IRA, you may contribute up to the amount allowed by the U.S. Government. Contributions may be withdrawn tax-free at any time but are not tax-deductible. Dividend income is subject to taxation unless it's used to buy a first home (after five years) or after the participant has reached 59-1/2. Contributions from earned income can be made after age 70-1/2, and mandatory distributions are not required.
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Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)
A CESA (Educational IRA) allows investments of up to $2,000 per year per child under the age of 18. Funds may be withdrawn free of tax or IRS penalties when used for higher education purposes. Funds set aside for one child that go unused may be transferred to another child in the family.
Traditional IRA
With a Traditional IRA, you may invest up to the amount allowed by the U.S. Government. Contributions may be partially or fully deductible, depending on your income and whether or not you're participating in an employer-sponsored plan. Withdrawals may not be made without penalty until age 59-1/2 unless they are for higher education expenses or the purchase of a first home. Earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn. Distributions must occur at age 70-1/2.
Roth IRA
With a Roth IRA, you may contribute up to the amount allowed by the U.S. Government. Contributions may be withdrawn tax-free at any time but are not tax-deductible. Dividend income is subject to taxation unless it's used to buy a first home (after five years) or after the participant has reached 59-1/2. Contributions from earned income can be made after age 70-1/2, and mandatory distributions are not required.
Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)
A CESA (Educational IRA) allows investments of up to $2,000 per year per child under the age of 18. Funds may be withdrawn free of tax or IRS penalties when used for higher education purposes. Funds set aside for one child that go unused may be transferred to another child in the family.
Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate*
Now you can earn more on your Certificates with Loyalty Pays™! The Loyalty Pays™ Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications.
Eligibility: Each new or renewal certificate in standard terms of 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60 months is eligible.
Qualifications
*The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays™ Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time.
Certificate Rate Table
Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications. The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time. The minimum balances listed are required to open and obtain dividends. Early withdrawal will result in a loss of earnings penalty. Each member is federally insured to at least $250,000 by the NCUA, a U.S. Government Agency.
Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications. The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time. The minimum balances listed are required to open and obtain dividends. Early withdrawal will result in a loss of earnings penalty. Each member is federally insured to at least $250,000 by the NCUA, a U.S. Government Agency.
FAQs
How do savings certificates work?
A certificate is a type of savings account. Unlike a regular savings account, a savings certificate sets aside funds for a pre-determined amount of time. The funds are not accessible until the certificate's maturity date, upon which the funds can be withdrawn.
Can I withdraw money from my savings certificate before the maturity date?
You can withdraw money from the savings certificate before the maturity date, but typically you'll incur an early withdrawal penalty. The amount of the penalty depends upon the length of the certificate.
Can you lose your money in a savings certificate?
Savings certificates are considered one of the safest investments you can make.
IRA Certificate Rate Table
Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications. The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time. The minimum balances listed are required to open and obtain dividends. Early withdrawal will result in a loss of earnings penalty. Each member is federally insured to at least $250,000 by the NCUA, a U.S. Government Agency.
Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications. The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time. The minimum balances listed are required to open and obtain dividends. Early withdrawal will result in a loss of earnings penalty. Each member is federally insured to at least $250,000 by the NCUA, a U.S. Government Agency.
Click here for Consumer Truth-In-Savings information
SECURE Act
In December 2019, the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) was signed into law and became effective on January 1, 2020. The SECURE Act may affect BCCU IRA holders turning 70.5 in 2020 and will also affect those born after July 1, 1949, in future years.
If this applies to you, please click here for more information.
Benefits of a Certificate
*Early withdrawals from IRA certificate accounts will result in loss of earnings penalty except in certain circumstances. Please refer to disclosures for complete details on the minimum opening balance and balance required to earn dividends.