Share Certificates

Limited Time Only! 18-Month Certificate Special

Lock in 4.25% APY^* for 18-Months

Your savings deserve to work harder. With our 18-Month Share Certificate Special, you can secure a guaranteed 4.25% APY and watch your money grow - worry free.

• High Rate, Short Term - Enjoy a competitive rate without locking in your money for years.
• Guaranteed Growth - Your earnings are safe and predictable.
• Easy to Open - Start with as little as $500.

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^*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY is accurate as of 8/15/25. $500 minimum opening deposit required. Special rate available with funds new to Essential. The certificate term is 18 months. Rates are fixed for the term of the certificate. Penalties may be imposed for early withdrawal and could reduce earnings. Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Member eligibility required. Federally Insured by NCUA.

New Member: Open Now

Existing Member: Open Now

Certificate Calculator

Build a Brighter Future.

Determine which certificate term works best and how much you should initially deposit to achieve your savings goals.

Initial Deposit:

Please enter only numbers.

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Certificate Term (Months)

3 6 12 18 24 36 48 60

Future account balance:

Interest earned:

Open a share certificate account with and it will grow to in months. The account will have earned in interest.

Share Certificates

Share Certificates are high-earning accounts that can help you earn a significant rate of return on your hard-earned money¹.

• Only $500 minimum balance required
• Choose 3 months to 5 year terms
• Enjoy automatic renewal at current rates
• Fixed rate for the term of the certificate
• Early withdrawals are subject to penalty

¹Dividends are paid out either monthly or quarterly. Early withdrawals are subject to penalty. Upon maturity, certificate will renew at the current rate at the time of renewal. See Truth-in-Savings for more disclosures. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Federally Insured by NCUA.

Visit any of our Baton Rouge, Houston, Plaquemine, Walker, or Gonzales locations to get started or contact us today!

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   Frequently Asked Questions

   What term lengths are available for Share Certificates?

   You can choose terms from 3 months up to 5 years (for example: 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 months) depending on current offerings.

   Can I withdraw my funds early? What’s the penalty?

   Early withdrawals are subject to penalties that may reduce your earnings. It’s important to understand the early withdrawal terms before opening a certificate.

   Are certificates insured?

   Yes. Essential Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), so your deposits in Share Certificates are insured within applicable limits

   How can I estimate how much my certificate will grow over time?

   Essential Credit Union offers a Certificate Calculator tool (included above) where you can enter your initial deposit and term in months to estimate your future account balance and interest earned.