Putting money aside should not mean settling for negligible returns. Sascu savings products deliver competitive dividend rates across every balance tier while keeping deposits accessible, insured, and free from the fee structures that erode progress at commercial banks.
Your Path to Better Banking
Sascu structures savings around four distinct deposit products so members can match their savings strategy to their actual financial timeline. Short-term emergency funds work well in the Regular Share Savings or Money Market account where liquidity is immediate. Money set aside for a specific goal six to sixty months out fits neatly into a Share Certificate with a guaranteed rate. Long-horizon retirement savings benefit from the tax advantages of a Sascu IRA. Because Sascu is a credit union, not a commercial bank, the earnings generated by the institution flow back to members in the form of higher dividend rates and reduced fees rather than to external shareholders.
Regular Share Savings
Every Sascu member holds a Regular Share Savings account, which serves as both the foundational deposit account and the membership share that represents ownership in the credit union. A $25 minimum balance maintains membership status and keeps the account active. The account earns a variable dividend rate calculated on the average daily balance and credited quarterly. Members can link Share Savings to a Sascu checking account for overdraft protection transfers, set up automatic recurring deposits through payroll deduction or scheduled transfers from Sascu checking, and withdraw funds at any time without penalty. There are no monthly service fees on the Regular Share Savings account, no transaction limits beyond those set by Regulation D when applicable, and full visibility through Sascu online banking and the Sascu mobile app.
Money Market Savings
The Sascu Money Market Savings account pays tiered dividend rates that increase as the balance grows, making it suitable for members who maintain higher deposit levels and want stronger returns without locking funds into a certificate term. A $2,500 minimum daily balance is required to earn the stated dividend rate and avoid a $10 monthly service charge. Money Market accounts permit up to six convenient withdrawals per month, consistent with federal guidelines, while in-person and ATM withdrawals are unlimited. Members receive free Sascu-issued money market checks for larger transactions, and the account integrates fully with Sascu online banking for transfers, balance monitoring, and statement access.
Share Certificates
Sascu Share Certificates, equivalent to CDs at a bank, lock in a fixed annual percentage yield for the full certificate term. Terms range from 6 months to 60 months, with the highest rates applying to 36-month and 60-month commitments. The minimum opening deposit is $500 for standard certificates and $1,000 for jumbo certificates, which earn an additional rate premium. Dividends compound daily and are credited monthly, and members can choose to receive dividend payouts by check, transfer to a Sascu checking or savings account, or reinvest into the certificate balance. At maturity, a 10-day grace period allows members to withdraw funds, add to the certificate, or change the term without penalty before the certificate renews automatically.
Individual Retirement Accounts
Sascu offers both Traditional and Roth IRA Share Certificates that combine the guaranteed returns of a certificate structure with the tax advantages of a qualified retirement account. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible in the year they are made, with taxes deferred until retirement distributions begin. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are entirely tax-free, including all accumulated dividends. Sascu IRA certificates are available in terms from 12 months to 60 months and are federally insured by the NCUA separately from non-retirement Sascu deposits. Sascu wealth management advisors can help members evaluate which IRA structure best serves their retirement timeline and tax situation.
Why Sascu Savings Rates Matter
Credit unions consistently pay higher savings rates than commercial banks because the business model works differently. A bank aims to maximize the spread between what it pays depositors and what it charges borrowers in order to generate profit for shareholders. A credit union like Sascu operates to maximize member benefit, so the spread narrows — depositors earn more and borrowers pay less. That structural difference shows up directly in the dividend rates posted on the Sascu rates page.
NCUA insurance covers all Sascu deposit accounts up to $250,000 per individual account holder, the same federal protection level that FDIC insurance provides at banks. Members with deposits exceeding $250,000 can extend full coverage by titling accounts across different ownership categories. A member holding an individual account, a joint account with a spouse, and an IRA certificate could have three separately insured coverage limits at Sascu, protecting up to $750,000 in total deposits. Sascu member services can provide a detailed coverage analysis upon request.
Sascu Savings Products at a Glance
Feature
Share Savings
Money Market
Share Certificate
IRA Certificate
Minimum opening deposit
$25
$2,500
$500 ($1,000 jumbo)
$500
Dividend rate
Variable, quarterly
Tiered variable, monthly
Fixed APY, term length
Fixed APY, term length
Monthly service fee
None
$10 if below $2,500
None
None
Liquidity
Immediate
Immediate (6 withdrawals/mo)
At maturity
At maturity
Early withdrawal penalty
None
None
90–180 days dividends
90–180 days dividends
Term options
N/A
N/A
6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 mo
12, 24, 36, 60 mo
NCUA insured
Yes, up to $250,000
Yes, up to $250,000
Yes, up to $250,000
Yes, up to $250,000
Online/mobile access
Yes
Yes
View balances only
View balances only
Check writing
No
Yes, money market checks
No
No
Overdraft protection link
Yes
Yes
No
No
Tax advantage
None
None
None
Traditional or Roth
Dividend compounding
Daily, credited quarterly
Daily, credited monthly
Daily, credited monthly
Daily, credited monthly
Opening a Sascu Savings Account
Any Sascu member can open additional savings products beyond the required Share Savings account. The process requires no credit check for deposit accounts and can be completed online, by phone at (208) 555-0147, or in person at any Sascu branch location. For Share Certificates and IRAs, members should review current rates on the Sascu rates page before selecting a term, as rates are subject to change weekly based on market conditions. Once a certificate is opened, the rate is locked for the full term regardless of subsequent rate changes.
Sascu members can fund new savings accounts through an internal transfer from an existing Sascu checking or savings account, by depositing a check through the Sascu mobile app, via wire transfer, or with cash at any branch. For large deposits, Sascu follows standard funds availability policies: the first $225 of a check deposit is typically available the next business day, with the remaining amount available within two business days for most items. Mobile check deposit limits are set at $5,000 per day and $10,000 per rolling 30-day period for standard accounts, with higher limits available upon request for members with established account history.
I opened a Sascu Money Market account for my real estate commission reserves. The tiered rates actually reward you for keeping a healthy balance instead of nickel-and-diming you with fees. When I had questions about laddering share certificates for different time horizons, the Sascu advisor mapped out a strategy that maximized my return without locking up every dollar. That kind of personal attention is not something you get from a national bank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sascu Savings
What savings account options does Sascu offer?
Sascu offers four distinct savings products: Regular Share Savings, which is the foundational membership account for every Sascu member; Money Market Savings with tiered dividend rates for higher balances; Share Certificates with fixed terms from 6 to 60 months and guaranteed returns; and Individual Retirement Accounts including both Traditional and Roth IRA share certificates with tax-advantaged growth. Each account type earns competitive dividends and is federally insured through the NCUA up to $250,000 per account holder.
What are current Sascu savings rates?
Sascu savings rates are posted and updated on the Sascu Rates page. Rates vary by account type: Share Savings earns a base dividend rate, Money Market rates tier upward with the account balance, and Share Certificates lock in a fixed annual percentage yield for the certificate term. Sascu rates on certificates are generally higher for longer commitment periods, with the best rates available on 36-month and 60-month terms. Members can view all current Sascu rates at the rates page, within Sascu online banking, or by calling Sascu customer service at (208) 555-0147 during business hours.
Is there a minimum balance for Sascu savings accounts?
The Sascu Regular Share Savings account requires a $25 minimum balance to maintain membership and keep the account open; this represents the member's ownership share in the credit union. Sascu Money Market Savings requires a $2,500 minimum daily balance to earn the stated dividend rate and avoid a monthly service charge of $10. Sascu Share Certificates have a $500 minimum opening deposit for most terms, with a $1,000 minimum for jumbo certificates which carry higher rates. There are no minimum balance fees on Share Savings accounts regardless of how low the balance drops.
How are Sascu savings accounts insured?
All Sascu deposit accounts including Share Savings, Money Market, Share Certificates, and IRAs are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, administered by the NCUA. This insurance provides coverage of up to $250,000 per individual account holder. Members with larger balances can structure accounts across different ownership categories such as individual accounts, joint accounts, and retirement accounts to maximize total NCUA insurance coverage. Sascu member services can help review account structures to confirm full insurance protection. For additional context on credit union insurance, visit NCUA.gov.
Can I withdraw from a Sascu Share Certificate early?
Yes, but early withdrawal from a Sascu Share Certificate before the maturity date incurs a penalty. For certificates with terms of 12 months or less, the penalty equals 90 days of dividends on the amount withdrawn. For certificates with terms greater than 12 months, the penalty equals 180 days of dividends. Penalties may reduce the principal if accrued dividends are insufficient to cover the fee. Sascu recommends reviewing liquidity needs before committing to a certificate term to avoid unnecessary early withdrawal penalties. A 10-day grace period after maturity allows penalty-free changes to the certificate.