If you are shopping for a certificate of deposit, a credit union is the better starting point on rate at every term. Here is the full comparison.
Every CD term: credit union vs bank
National average rates from the NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates report, rates as of December 26, 2025, on a $10,000 deposit.
| Term | Credit union avg | Bank avg | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 month | 1.96% | 1.57% | +0.39 pts |
| 6 month | 2.76% | 2.18% | +0.58 pts |
| 1 year | 2.95% | 2.29% | +0.66 pts |
| 2 year | 2.81% | 2.10% | +0.71 pts |
| 3 year | 2.75% | 2.05% | +0.70 pts |
| 4 year | 2.77% | 2.02% | +0.75 pts |
| 5 year | 2.83% | 2.11% | +0.72 pts |
What the gap is worth
On a $10,000 1-year certificate, 2.95% earns about $295 versus $229 at the bank average - roughly $66 more for the same locked term. The advantage grows with the balance and is even larger on multi-year certificates. Use the savings calculator to model your own amount.
A note on IRA certificates
The NCUA report does not break out a separate IRA CD rate, so we do not list one rather than guess. IRA share certificates usually price close to the regular term shown above; confirm with the institution.
See the 1-year CD page and the full rate comparison. National averages, general information, not financial advice - verify the live rate before depositing.