Business Insider's personal finance team compared USAA CDs to the best CD rates and found it has standard offerings.
While USAA Bank (Member FDIC) is an excellent choice for general banking for military members and their families, USAA CD interest rates are lower than those of the most competitive banks.
Here's what you should know about USAA CD rates today before opening an account.
Current USAA CD Rates
USAA Fixed Rate CD Rates
USAA offers CD terms on fixed-rate CDs, from 30 days to 7 years. However, 4-, 5-, and 1-month terms are only available as Jumbo CDs and Super Jumbo CDs.
USAA CD rates are relatively low for its shortest and longest terms, but it pays solid rates on terms of 182 days and 270 days. These terms are higher than the average CD rates, and USAA jumbo CD rates are generally also high. Note that a USAA Fixed Rate CD prohibits additional deposits once you've opened the account.
| Term | Standard CD(Minimum Deposit: $1,000) | Jumbo CD(Minimum Deposit: $95,000) | Super Jumbo CD(Minimum Deposit: $175,000) |
| 30 Days | N/A | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| 91 Days | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| 120 Days | N/A | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| 150 Days | N/A | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| 182 Days | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% |
| 7 Months | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| 270 Days | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% |
| 1 Year | 1.80% | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| 15 Months | 1.70% | 1.70% | 1.70% |
| 18 Months | 1.65% | 1.65% | 1.65% |
| 2 Years | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.40% |
| 30 Months | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% |
| 3 Years | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% |
| 4 Years | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| 5 years | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| 7 years | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
USAA Adjustable Rate CD Rates
USAA Adjustable Rate CD have 3-, 4-, 5-, and 7-year terms that pay 0.01% APY.
These CDs offer the stability of fixed interest rates with a one-time adjustment of up to 2% more than your original rate. USAA permits one additional deposit when you adjust your rate. The minimum deposit for this account is $1,000.
USAA Variable Rate CD Rates
USAA Variable Rate CD let you choose between 182-day or 1-year terms, earning 0.01% APY.
Rates can change at the bank's discretion, and you're allowed to make additional deposits at any time. Variable-rate accounts require a minimum deposit of $250.
Overview of USAA CDs
USAA Bank (Member FDIC) has been offering financial services to military members and their families for over a century. Due to its wide range of products, it's one of the best banks for the military. In particular, it offers a solid checking account account with a large ATM newtork.
The bank offers a variety of CD terms and types, so it could be a good option if you're interested in creating a CD ladder. If you're interested in getting the most competitive CD rates, though, other banks may offer higher rates.
You'll need a minimum of $1,000 to open most CDs. That's pretty standard for most banks, but also keep in mind that some online banks let you open CDs with $0 upfront.
Who is Eligible for USAA CDs?
USAA CDs are available to active-duty military members, veterans, and immediate family members. You can open an account if you're age 18 or older, or if you're a minor who opens a joint bank account with an adult. USAA lets you choose from its fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and variable-rate CDs.
USAA CD Rates Pros and Cons
USAA CD Rate Pros
- Wide array of terms available
- High interest rates than average CDs on some terms
- Standard early withdrawal penalties
USAA CD Rate Cons
- Initial deposit of $1,000 required for most CDs
- Interest compounded monthly, instead of daily
- Adjustable and Variable CDs pay low rates
- Only available to military affiliates
USAA CD Alternatives
USAA CD Rates vs. Navy Federal CD Rates
While USAA has more term options, Navy Federal CD rates are higher on more of its terms. Both banks have a $1,000 minimum deposit for their standard CDs. However, the Navy Federal Credit Union EasyStart℠ Certificate only requires a $50 deposit and pays 3.55% to 4.30% APY. It also allows for additional deposits after opening the account.
Navy Federal Credit Union Review
USAA CD Rates vs. PenFed CD Rates
USAA stands out for its range of term options, but PenFed CD rates are higher across more terms than USAA. Penfed CDs offer 3.00% to 3.65% APY. PenFed also extends its CDs to non-military members as long as you open a savings account and deposit a minimum of $5.
What Influences USAA CD Rates
Market Fluctuations
Like all banks and credit unions, USAA responds to market fluctuations by raising and lowering its rates. If financial institutions are raising their rates, USAA has to raise its rates too to stay competitive; if rates are generally getting lower, then USAA doesn't need to offer as high a rate to make a profit.
Fed Actions
The Federal Reserve meets to determine whether it will raise or lower its rates. When it announces a rate change at a Fed meeting, banks and credit unions generally follow suit.
CD Term Length
The length of time your CD stays open also plays a large part in determining what rate you get. Right now, short-term CDs are paying better than long-term CDs because people expect the Fed to drop its rates soon. However, if you look at USAA CD rates history, that hasn't always been the case. Ultimately, each bank has its own factors for deciding when and if CD rates change.
Should You Invest in a USAA CD?
If you're a member of the military, a veteran, or part of a military family, USAA CDs could be a good choice for you, depending on your needs. If you need a jumbo CD, or if you're interested in a CD with a mid-range term length, you might want to check USAA out.
If you're interested in another type of specialty CD, such as an adjustable-rate CD or a no-penalty CD, you're better off going elsewhere. USAA doesn't offer no-penalty CDs, and the rates it offers on its adjustable-rate CD and variable-rate CD are low enough that other banks and credit unions are probably a better choice.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed USAA CDs
When evaluating USAA CDs, we follow the Business Insider bank account methodology. Our approach involves rating CDs on a scale of zero to five in several categories. These categories include interest rates, minimum deposits, early withdrawal penalties, variety of term options, and more. CDs must meet specific criteria in each area to receive a five, the highest score.
We use a weighted average of CD categories to get our star rating, which means we weigh certain features, like interest rates and fees, at a higher weight percentage than others. We understand that these areas can more heavily impact a person's overall banking experience. CD ratings can be anywhere from one to five stars.
USAA CD FAQs
Yes. USAA CDs are insured by the FDIC, meaning your deposits are protected for at least $250,000 per depositor, per category if USAA shuts down.
CD rates at USAA pay up to 2.25% APY. A few terms are higher than average CD rates, but many aren't as competitive as other banks. They are worthwhile options for active military members, veterans, and their families for terms of 182 days or 270 days.
Like most institutions, USAA can adjust its CD rates weekly or even daily in response to market fluctuations and Fed actions.
In terms of USAA CD special offers, USAA has jumbo CDs with good rates, and adjustable-rate and variable-rate CDs with lower-than-average rates. USAA CDs are also only available for military members, veterans, and military family members.
You'll need to be a member of the military, a veteran, or an immediate family member of a military member or veteran to be eligible to open a USAA CD.
