If you’re looking for a smart strategy to get a higher rate of return while keeping your emergency fund or excess cash available, consider this idea to put your savings into tiers based on your needs over the next 8 months.

Divide your savings into three accounts based on your needs

• 8-Month Certificate at 4.20% APY*
• 7-Month No Penalty Certificate up to 3.50% APY*
• Companion Savings Account at 3.25% APY* (linked to the 8-Month Certificate)

The funds in your Companion Savings Account are readily available for emergency or planned use, but you’ll earn a much higher rate than from a Money Market or regular Savings Account because it’s partnered with your Certificate.

The funds in your 7-Month Certificate are also available with no penalty for an unexpected expense or emergency.

The funds in your 8-Month Certificate will be locked up for 8 months (unless you pay an early withdrawal penalty), so you should be fairly confident that you won’t need that money for a while.

At Stanford FCU we’re always looking for ways to say YES to our members’ financial success, and hopefully this savings strategy will help you make smart decisions for your financial well-being.

*APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Membership eligibility is required.

Once a Certificate is opened, the rate remains fixed through maturity. Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. 

The 7‑Month No Penalty Certificate may be closed after seven (7) calendar days from opening with no penalty. The 7‑Month No Penalty Certificate rates shown include a .50 bonus for active and engaged members through our Membership Rewards program.

To secure the promotional rate on the 8‑Month Certificate, you must apply between 2/2/26‑3/31/26. Minimum opening deposit is $100 of new money with no maximum. Additional rate bonuses are not available for this Certificate. A checking or savings account is required with Stanford FCU to open a Certificate. New money required. New money is money that is not currently in a checking account, savings account or Certificate with Stanford FCU. Early withdrawal penalties apply and may reduce earnings. At maturity, the 8‑Month Certificate automatically renews at a 12‑month term, at the rate in effect on the maturity date. At maturity and during the grace period, you may change the term or balance of your account or make withdrawals without a penalty. The grace period begins at maturity and ends seven calendar days later.

The Companion Account rate is variable. For a Companion Savings linked to a Certificate account, dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day.