Certificate Account Specifics

Savings accounts are good places to deposit your money, especially if you’re with a financial institution that offers competitive dividends. But if you want to take your savings to the next level, consider opening a certificate. These accounts reward long-term planning, and they’re one of the easiest & safest investments you can make.

How does it work?

Certificates are virtually risk free. Funds are insured by the federal government and is held in a similar manner as savings accounts. They are time deposits, meaning you will earn fixed dividends for a pre-determined amount of time, ranging from a couple months to a few years, depending on your preferred investment strategy.

Generally speaking, the longer the term of the certificate, the better the rate. If you make a withdrawal before the maturity date, however, you’ll pay a penalty fee. Make sure you can commit to keeping the funds there before opening one.

You can deposit the monthly dividends you earn on your certificate investment into another account, such as your savings or checking, or re-invest them into the certificate account to benefit from compound interest. As your certificate’s term nears its end, you’ll be notified of when you can take out your money or roll it over into a new certificate account. After that date, the money will stay in the account until the certificate matures again.

What certificates are available?

America First offers many options to fit your financial wants & needs.

• Regular – Low minimum-deposit levels with higher yields
• Bump – Provide one-time rate increases
• Dedicated savings – Set up automatic deposits for future occasions
• Flexible – Get quarterly access with no penalties
• IRA – Boost your retirement savings
• Ladder – Set up periodic maturity dates for consistent access

How do I open one?

At America First, it’s simple. Visit americafirst.com, call 1-800-999-3961 or stop by your local branch—and start letting your money make money.