12-mo APY
2.25%
Quick take: Connexus Credit Union is an NCUA-insured credit union headquartered in Wausau, WI with about $5.0B in assets. On Connexus’s rate page (APYs stated as accurate as of 09/26/2026, checked September 25, 2026), the 12-month certificate pays 2.25% APY, the 60-month 3.00% and a 9-month special 4.00%, with a $5,000 minimum. Membership: Open nationally via a $5 donation to the Connexus Association.
| Term | APY |
|---|---|
| 6-Month | 2.00% |
| 9-Month | 4.00% |
| 1-Year | 2.25% |
| 2-Year | 2.50% |
| 3-Year | 2.50% |
| 4-Year | 2.75% |
| 5-Year | 3.00% |
Source: connexuscu.org rates page (Regular certificates, $5,000+), which states APYs are accurate as of 09/26/2026; checked September 25, 2026. Jumbo ($100,000+) certificates pay about 0.10% more on most terms.
Open nationally via a $5 donation to the Connexus Association.
The workaround: $5 Connexus Association donation.
Federally insured credit unions are legally required to limit membership to a defined "field of membership", but many CUs structure their bylaws to make joining trivially easy via a small donation, a free non-profit membership, or a low-fee sponsor-organization sign-up. The donation/sponsor approach lets you become an Associate Member, which qualifies you for the same accounts and rates as direct-eligibility members. Once you've opened a small share savings account ($5-$50 typical), you can open share certificates online in minutes.
If you can't qualify for Connexus membership, the most accessible national CUs are Alliant (Foster Care to Success $5 donation), Bethpage ($5 savings account, no donation needed), and Connexus ($5 Connexus Association donation).
At the 1-year share-certificate term, this is how Connexus compares with directly competing CUs and the highest online banks:
| Institution | 1-Year APY |
|---|---|
| Connexus | 4.55% |
| Alliant CU | 4.60% |
| Bethpage FCU | 4.50% |
| Marcus | 4.75% |
Credit unions often beat banks on share-certificate rates by 10-30 basis points at the same term, that's the structural advantage of being non-profit and member-owned. They return profits to members in the form of better rates, lower fees, and lower loan APRs rather than to shareholders. But not every CU does this well. Restricted-membership CUs sometimes coast on rate; open-eligibility CUs (Alliant, Bethpage, Connexus) compete harder because they have to attract members nationally.
For an apples-to-apples comparison versus the highest online bank CDs (Marcus, Synchrony, Discover, Ally), see Best 5-Year CD Rates 2026 and Credit Union vs Bank CD: structural differences.
A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) is the insurance-industry equivalent of a CD: a fixed rate locked for a fixed term, principal-protected, backed by the issuing carrier and your state's guaranty association. At the 5-year term, A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026), versus 3.00% on Connexus's 60-month certificate (checked 9/25/2026).
Math at $250,000 over 5 years (simple annual compounding):
MYGAs also defer tax on interest until withdrawal, CDs and share certificates are taxed annually as ordinary income whether you touch the interest or not. For taxable retirement money you don't plan to withdraw for 5+ years, the MYGA almost always wins on math. The trade-off: MYGAs have a fixed surrender schedule (usually 5-10 years), while share certificates have shorter penalty periods. See CD vs MYGA Comparison for the full side-by-side.
Yes. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insures federally chartered and most state-chartered credit unions up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, the same coverage limit as FDIC. The two agencies use different funds (the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund vs. the Deposit Insurance Fund), but both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. In 50+ years of credit union history, no depositor has ever lost a penny of NCUA-insured funds.
What to verify before opening: confirm Connexus's NCUA-insured status at ncua.gov/research using NCUA charter #62325. If you have more than $250K with one CU, restructure into joint, IRA, or trust ownership categories to expand coverage, each category gets its own $250K limit.
Connexus Credit Union is a legitimate NCUA-insured CU with a rate sheet that's competitive within the CU peer group. The 1-year rate is solid; the 5-year rate is meaningfully behind A-rated MYGAs. If you're a member by direct eligibility (or you've used a $5 workaround), the short-term certificates are a fine place for money you might need in 12-24 months. For 5+ year money, run the MYGA math first.
And remember: most CUs auto-renew at the rate posted on the renewal date, which is often well below the promotional rate you got at opening. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before maturity to compare current rates and decide whether to renew, withdraw, or move the money to a MYGA.
On September 25, 2026, Connexus's rate page showed 2.25% APY on its 12-month certificate and 4.00% on a 9-month special ($5,000 minimum). Rates change frequently; confirm on the Connexus website before opening.
Connexus accepts anyone nationwide who makes a one-time $5 donation to the Connexus Association, a non-profit financial-education group affiliated with the CU. You then open a $5 share savings account, and you can open certificates as soon as the account is funded. Whole process takes about 10 minutes online.
Yes. Federally insured credit unions are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, the same coverage limit and federal backing as FDIC. The two agencies use different funds, but both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
For terms under 12 months: 90 days div.. For longer terms: 180 days div. (terms >12mo). If accrued dividends are insufficient, the penalty comes out of principal, so the timing of the withdrawal matters.
$5,000. NCUA insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor per CU; if you have more than that, split between institutions or use joint-account titling to expand coverage.
Yes, Connexus typically auto-renews at the current posted rate for the same term unless you give written instructions during the grace period (usually 7-10 days). Set a calendar reminder; the auto-renewed rate is often below promotional or jumbo-tier rates available at maturity.
At the 5-year term, A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026), versus 3.00% on Connexus's 60-month certificate (checked 9/25/2026). MYGAs are tax-deferred (interest isn't taxed until withdrawal); CDs are taxed annually. The trade-offs: MYGAs have a surrender schedule (usually 5-10 years), while CDs let you exit with an interest-only penalty. For taxable retirement money you don't need to touch for 5+ years, the MYGA usually wins on math.
This review reflects publicly posted credit-union rates and approximate APYs as of 2026-06-27. Share-certificate rates change frequently, confirm current rates directly with Connexus Credit Union before opening an account. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific banking or insurance product. Connexus Credit Union is NCUA-insured to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, the same coverage limit and federal backing as FDIC. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated annuity carriers; he is NOT a credit union employee, broker-dealer, or registered representative, and is not paid by Connexus Credit Union for this review. No compensation has been received from Connexus Credit Union in connection with this content. MYGA comparisons reference rates from A-rated carriers as of the date stated; carrier rates change monthly. Always read the actual share-certificate disclosure or annuity contract before purchasing.
Hans Goldstein is an Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. General education, not tax or legal advice for your situation.