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Kinecta Federal Credit Union CD review
Competitive rates and a variety of CD types, but membership is required.
finder.com’s rating: 4.4 / 5.0
★★★★★
Savers looking for variety, flexibility and competitive rates could find the Kinecta Federal Credit Union CD a strong contender as they narrow down their search for the best CD. Kinecta offers four types of CDs: Regular, Jumbo, Liquid and College Saver, each with their own unique features.
While balances over $100,000 unlock the best rates, rates on balances below $100,000 are still competitive from 0.20% to 1% APY. But you’ll need to become a Kinecta member to open a CD.
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0.5%
1-year APY
0.8%
3-year APY
1%
5-year APY
Details
| Star rate | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| 3-month APY | 0.2% |
| 6-month APY | 0.35% |
| 1-year APY | 0.5% |
| 2-year APY | 0.7% |
| 3-year APY | 0.8% |
| 4-year APY | 0.85% |
| 5-year APY | 1% |
| Early withdrawal penalty | Early withdrawal penalty not advertised |
| Minimum deposit to open | $5 |
| Interest compounding | Daily |
Review by
Matt Miczulski
matthew.miczulski@findercrew.comMatt Miczulski is an investments writer at Finder. After paying off $30,000 in debt in a little more than a year, he applied what he learned as a writer at FinanceBuzz, where he specialized in finance news, banking, debt and travel. He has been featured on MSN, Best Company, Money Done Right and Recruiter.
Expert review
Kinecta’s CDs are a strong option for most savers. Its highest 1.05% APY rate is reserved for balances over $100,000. But savers with balances below $100,000 can earn up to a competitive 1% APY on a five-year term.
Kinecta also offers a variety of CDs and an option to borrow against your funds with a CD loan, giving savers a high degree of flexibility. And although Kinecta requires a $100 minimum deposit to open a CD, it’s low compared to other banks that require $1,000 or more.
But you’ll need to become a Kinecta member to open a CD and start banking. If you don’t qualify for membership, Kenecta will cover a one-time membership fee for you to join the Innovation Society. If you’re looking for something different, compare other CD rates to find a bank that meets your needs.
How do I open a Kinecta Federal Credit Union CD?
Sign up for a Kinecta CD and apply for membership in seven steps:
- Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
- Select Why Kinecta, then Join Us and then Apply Online.
- Select Start Application, and provide your personal information. You’ll also need to verify your email address and provide a valid ID. Select Next when finished.
- Verify your membership eligibility if your residential address doesn’t qualify you for membership. Then, select Next.
- Choose the accounts you want to sign up for in addition to your primary savings account. This is where you sign up for a CD. Select Next when finished.
- Choose a funding method, and hit Next.
- Review your application information and agree to Kinecta’s disclosures and terms and conditions. Then confirm your identity and submit your application.
Eligibility
Membership with Kinecta is extended to anyone who:
- Has an immediate family or household member who is a Kinecta member.
- Has ever worked at one of Kinecta’s “Select Employer Group” organizations.
- Lives, works or attends school in select ZIP codes in Southern California.
Required information
Provide the following information when applying:
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Valid government ID
- Address
- Occupation information
- $5 minimum deposit for a share in Kinecta
If none of these eligibility criteria apply to you, you can become a Kinecta member by joining the Innovation Society during the application process. Kinecta will cover the one-time $10 membership fee to join.
Funding options
Kinecta doesn’t specify the different ways to fund your CD, but funding options typically include a transfer of funds from a connected internal or external account.
5 benefits of a Kinecta Federal Credit Union CD
Kinecta Federal Credit Union CDs offer several benefits that set them apart from the competition.- Variety of CDs. Choose from a Regular, Jumbo or Liquid CD. Members younger than 18 can open a College Saver CD.
- Competitive rates. Earn up to 1% APY on CDs under $100,000 and up to 1.05% on CDs $100,000 and above.
- One-time rate adjustment. Request a one-time rate adjustment on Regular and Jumbo CDs to receive a higher APY during your CD’s original term if rates go up.
- High liquidity. Withdraw up to half your Liquid CD account balance every day with no penalty.
- Minimum deposit requirements. Although you’re required to make a $100 deposit to open the CD, it’s lower than what you’ll find at most other banks.
1 potential drawback to watch out for
You won’t find too many downsides to opening a CD with Kinecta, except:
- Membership required. You need to become a Kinecta member to open a CD. But if you don’t meet any of the eligibility requirements, you can still join by becoming a member of the Innovation Society. Although you’ll need to pay a one-time $5 fee to join, Kinecta will cover the cost for you.
Compare Kinecta CD rates with other CDs
Use this table to compare other CDs by rates and minimum opening deposits.
How do I cash in a CD?
Kinecta doesn’t specify a grace period for after a CD matures, but five to 10 days are usually provided for savers to decide if they want to withdraw their funds or roll them into a new term.
Kinecta will automatically renew your Regular or Jumbo CD into the next lower term CD at maturity unless directed otherwise.
Early withdrawals are subject to a penalty. Kinecta charges the following early withdrawal penalties:
- Terms of 90 days to one year: Forfeit 90 days of interest.
- Terms over one year and to five years: Forfeit 180 days of interest.
How to contact Kinecta customer service?
Reach Kinecta for help in the following ways:
- Call 800-854-9846 on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT and Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT.
- Send a secure message through your account’s portal.
- Start a chat on Kinecta’s website, but you’ll connect with its virtual assistant and not an actual person.
- Send mail to Kinecta Federal Credit Union, PO Box 10003, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
CDs ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We rate CDs and share certificates on a scale ranging from one to five stars based on what matters most to you. We consider two factors equally when rating CDs: minimum deposits and annual percentage yields (APYs) relative to term length. If a bank requires a different minimum opening deposit depending on the chosen term, we rate the CD based on the average minimum deposit across all terms. And although some institutions offer CDs with terms ranging from one week to 20 years, we only consider term lengths the FDIC uses in its monthly updates on national rates.
Read the full methodology of how we rate CDs.