Suncoast Credit Union CD Rates (2024)

Suncoast Credit Union has three share certificate or CD options for Florida residents. Check out their CD rates today.

Suncoast is one of the largest credit unions in Florida by assets.^[1] If you're hunting for a CD in the Sunshine State, they provide CDs with decent rates.

Suncoast offers three types of CDs that can suit your needs. Here are their current CD rates to get you started.

Which CDs Are Available at Suncoast Credit Union?

Suncoast has three different CDs or certificates, varying in their minimum deposit requirements. Here are the types of CDs at Suncoast:

• Share Certificate: regular CD with a $500 minimum
  
• Jumbo Certificate: jumbo CD with a $100,000 minimum
  
• Smart Start Certificate: affordable option to open a CD at Suncoast

Read on to learn how each CD differs, and their rates.

What are Suncoast CD rates right now?
Suncoast CD rates can get as high as 5.00% on their standard certificates and up to 5.25% on their jumbo certificates.

Term	APY	Earnings
6 Month	4.00%	$9.90
12 Month	5.00%	$25.00
18 Month	4.65%	$35.28
24 Month	4.65%	$47.58
36 Month	3.60%	$55.97
48 Month	3.70%	$78.21
60 Month	3.80%	$102.50

Suncoast's standard Share Certificate or CDs have some very decent rates, as high as 5.00%. But you do need at least $500 to open this CD.

CD terms range from 6 months to 60 months or 5 years, so you have a fair number of options. Share Certificates can also be opened as an IRA CD.

However, like most CDs, this one does have early withdrawal penalties if you need to close it before maturity.

Is a share certificate better than a CD?
A share certificate is basically a CD offered by a credit union instead of a bank. Share certificates may offer higher rates because credit unions are not-for-profit and run by members. But, online banks can also give impressive CD rates.

Suncoast Jumbo Certificate Rates: Up to 5.25%

Term	APY	Earnings
6 Month	4.25%	$2,102.89
12 Month	5.25%	$5,250.00
18 Month	4.90%	$7,439.31
24 Month	4.90%	$10,040.10
36 Month	3.85%	$12,000.37
48 Month	3.95%	$16,761.04
60 Month	4.05%	$21,958.06

If you can handle larger deposits, Suncoast has Jumbo Certificates. You'll need $100,000 to open a jumbo CD at Suncoast. But, their highest rate offered is 5.25%.

The CD terms available are similar to their standard certificates. And, early withdrawal penalties also apply.

These jumbo CDs can make a good addition to your retirement portfolio. You can open one as a traditional or Roth IRA with terms as long as 5 years.

With the 60-month Jumbo Certificate, Jumbo Youth Certificate, and Jumbo Business Certificate, you can request to change your rate once during the CD term. But the maturity date will remain the same.^[2]

Suncoast Smart Start Certificate Rate: 5.00%

Suncoast's Smart Start Certificate is a great option for those who don't have enough funds to make a large opening deposit. You only need $50 to open this CD.

However, for the next 12 months, you need to deposit at least $40 each month to your CD through payroll deductions or automatic transfers. This way, you'll have saved $500 by the end, which you can then roll over to a traditional Share Certificate.

Just remember, while you can add more money to the certificate anytime, withdrawing early may still incur penalties.

Suncoast Credit Union CDs can be opened as Youth Certificates, IRA/Roth/SEP Certificates, Business Certificates, Coverdell Education Savings Certificates, and Health Savings Account Certificates.

How Suncoast Credit Union CDs Compare

Suncoast Share Certificate Fees & Penalties

If you withdraw your Suncoast certificate early, you will have to pay penalties. Remember that to get maximum returns on a CD, you should not withdraw before it matures.

Here are Suncoast's applicable CD early withdrawal penalties:^[3]

• Terms 12 months or less: 90 days' worth of dividends or interest
  
• Terms over 12 months: 180 days' worth of dividends or interest

Suncoast certificates are automatically renewed, and you get a 7-day grace period to withdraw your money to avoid incurring early withdrawal penalties.

Can I withdraw money from Suncoast Share Certificate?
Like most CDs, you usually cannot withdraw money from your Suncoast Share Certificate. But, you can withdraw interest or dividend payments without facing penalties.

Suncoast Certificates Pros and Cons

Pros

• Competitive rates
  
• Multiple CD options
  
• No monthly service fees
  
• Membership perks and discounts
  
• IRA CDs available
  
• Federally insured; NCUA member

Cons

• Must be a member to open
  
• Membership mostly limited to Florida residents or workers
  
• Early withdrawal penalties
  
• Minimum deposit to open

Should I open a CD at Suncoast Federal Credit Union?
This depends on what your financial goals and needs are. The good news is Suncoast has multiple CD options with several terms available. But if none fit your needs, you would want to look at other options.

Who Can Become a Member?

You must first be a member of Suncoast Credit Union before you can open a CD with them. To be a member, you must meet any of the following criteria:

• Are an immediate family member of a Suncoast member
  
• Are an alumnus of Florida College
  
• Live in any of these counties in Florida: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia.

If you don't match any of the three, you can still try to contact Suncoast Credit Union to see if you can be eligible for membership.

Are credit union share certificates safe?
Share certificates, like CDs, are federally insured for up to $250,000 if your credit union is an NCUA member.^[4] So your money is safe in a share certificate just like in any bank CD.

How to Open a CD at Suncoast Credit Union

Members of Suncoast Credit Union can open a CD or certificate in three ways:

1. Call their Member Care Center at 813-621-7511 or 800-999-5887.
   
2. Visit any of their 78 branches.
   
3. Send a secure email through their SunNet Online Banking platform.

How do I contact Suncoast Credit Union?
You can call Suncoast's Member Care Center at 813-621-7511 or 800-999-5887 from Mondays to Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can also visit any of their Service Centers for in-person assistance.

How to Withdraw Upon Maturity

Your Suncoast Credit Union CD renews automatically, but it's important to know when it matures. Before it does, consider your options:

• Close the CD and withdraw all funds
  
• Add deposit to the CD or withdraw a part of the CD
  
• Change the CD term
  
• Automatic renewal

After your Suncoast CD matures, you have a 7-day grace period. Remember to reach out to the credit union before this period ends. Otherwise, withdrawals made after the grace period will be subject to penalties.

Is a credit union better than a bank?
Depending on your financial needs and preferences, either could be better. Credit unions are member-owned, and often offer lower fees and better interest rates. But banks may have more services, products, and a larger branch network you can work with.

Other Suncoast Credit Union Accounts

If a Suncoast CD isn't right for you, check out their other banking products

• Suncoast Regular Share Membership Savings Account
  You will need to open a Regular Share Membership Savings Account to be a member of Suncoast Credit Union. It has a $5 opening deposit and minimum balance to stay a member.
• Suncoast Special Share Savings Account
  A separate savings account that you can open apart from your regular savings. It has the same rate but has no minimum balance requirement.
• Suncoast Money Market Accounts
  This has higher rates than a regular savings account. The APY you get depends on how much you have in your balance. It has a minimum of $1,000 to earn interest and the balance tiers go up 7 levels, up to $500,000 or higher.^[5]
• Suncoast Smart Checking
  A free checking account from Suncoast with no monthly fees, no initial or minimum deposit, and free ATM access through Suncoast-owned ATMs, Publix Presto ATMs, and Co-op ATMs nationwide. It can also come with Free Overdraft Protection.^[6]

Bottom Line

If you live or work in Florida, getting a CD or share certificate at Suncoast Credit Union might be worth your time. You get to enjoy competitive rates as well as perks and discounts as a member.

But alternatives do exist, especially if you're looking for sky-high CD rates. Some online banks might be a better fit so weigh your needs and preferences before you commit to any CD.

References