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Advantage Certificate

The certificate that lets you save now ... and more later!

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Or call 1-800-621-2105

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Advantage Certificate Dividend Rate  APY 
13 Month Term 3.39% 3.50%

Advantage Certificate Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of May 1, 2026, and may change without notice. Minimum deposit of $1,000 to open certificate. Primary members under the age of 18 must have a $500 minimum deposit to open certificate. Minimum of $500 balance required to earn dividends. With the Advantage Certificate, one (1) additional deposit may be credited to the certificate within the first six months of the term. The maximum allowable additional deposit must not exceed the amount of the initial deposit. For example, if you open this certificate with a $1,000 deposit, the amount of the one additional deposit is limited to $1,000. Any funds over $1,000 will be transferred into your member share account. All Advantage Certificates automatically renew into a 1 year share certificate at the then current dividend rate and APY, with no option for additional deposits.  Maximum three (3) Advantage Certificates per household. Penalty for early withdrawal. Elements reserves the right to amend or discontinue offers at any time and to limit the balance of a certificate at any time.

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Advantage Certificate

Secure today’s rate now so you’re ready when additional funds arrive.

KEY FEATURES

Whether you’re expecting a bonus or a tax refund, planning ahead makes it easy to open your certificate as soon as the funds arrive in your account.

Start with an Advantage Certificate from Elements

  • Lock in 3.50% APY1: Secure a high, fixed return for a full 13 month term.

  • Future-Proof Your Windfall: Add your tax refund or bonus later at today's rate.

  • Outpace Inflation: Earn significantly more than a standard savings account.

  • Flexible Funding: You have the freedom to add to your certificate — one time, up to your initial deposit amount — for a full six months after account opening.
  • Available in amounts of $1,000 or more (as little as $500 if under age 18)

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MIGHT BE A GOOD CHOICE IF

  • You're Expecting a Windfall: You have a tax refund, work bonus, or maturing investment arriving in the next few months.

  • You Want to "Rate Lock" Now: You’re worried interest rates might drop before your next big paycheck hits your account.

  • You Value Predictability: You prefer a fixed, steady return over the volatility of the stock market.

  • You’re a "Staged" Saver: You have some seed money now but want the flexibility to "top off" your investment once you hit a specific savings goal.

Compare to Other Savings Options

What is the difference between an Advantage Certificate and our standard Share Certificate?

Choosing between these two options comes down to whether you have your full investment ready now or if you're expecting more cash to arrive in the coming months. While both offer higher guaranteed returns than a standard savings account, the Advantage Certificate is specifically designed for "staged" savings, whereas the standard Share Certificate is built for a one-time, fixed-term investment.

Advantage Certificate

  • Add-On Feature: This unique "future-proof" option allows you to add more money (one time, up to your original deposit amount) for a full six months after the account is opened.
  • Specific 13-Month Term: Locks in a high, fixed 3.50% APY1 for a 13-month duration, bridging the gap between short-term and long-term savings.
  • Captures Future Windfalls: Perfect for locking in today's high rate now for money you haven't even received yet, such as an upcoming tax refund or an expected work bonus.

Standard Share Certificate

  • Term Flexibility: Offers a wide range of terms from 6 months to 5 years, allowing you to pick a timeline that matches your specific goal (like a wedding or house down payment).
  • One-Time Deposit: Requires a single upfront deposit of at least $1,000 ($500 for those under 18); you cannot add more funds to the same certificate once it is opened.
  • Laddering Options: Ideal for "laddering" (opening multiple certificates with different maturity dates) to ensure you have access to some cash every year while still earning high rates.

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How does an Advantage Certificate compare to other savings options?

Compare an Advantage Certificate (Fixed Rate) to our other options below.

  Advantage Certificate Share Certificate Member Savings High Yield Savings
Key Benefits High fixed return with the flexibility to add more funds later Higher rate than most regular savings accounts No monthly Maintenance Service Charge No monthly Maintenance Service Charge
A Good Option If You Expect a future tax refund or windfall and want to lock in today's rate now Want more predictable savings balance and want to diversify your investments from standard Savings accounts Want a simple Savings account to establish your Elements membership Like to earn higher dividends on your higher balances
APY 3.50% APY1 Varies by term 0.20% on balances $50,000 and above2 2.00% on balances $10,000 and greater3
Rate Structure Fixed rate for a specific term, regardless of future market earnings Typically dividend rates that increase with the length of the Certificate term Tiered dividend rates that increase as your account balance grows Tiered dividend rates that increase as your account balance grows
Minimum Balance to Earn Dividends — — $100 $0.01
No Monthly Maintenance Service Charge
Minimum Balance to Open $1,000 (or $500 if under age 18) $1,000 (or $500 if under age 18) $5 —
Available Terms 13 months 6 months to 5 years — —
Available Amounts $1,000 (or $500 if under age 18) $1,000 (or $500 if under age 18) — —
No Monthly Inactivity Fee — —
Unlimited Transactions Per Month Allowed — —

Ready to get started? Buy an Advantage Certificate online or give us a call at 800-621-2105 to open your Advantage Certificate today.

How do I add money to my Advantage Certificate?

One of the best features of the Advantage Certificate is the ability to "top off" your savings at today’s high rate. Here is everything you need to know about making that additional deposit:

How much can I add?

You can deposit any amount up to the value of your original opening deposit. For example, if you started your certificate with $5,000, you can add up to another $5,000 later.

What is my deadline?

You have a six-month window starting from the day you opened the account to make your additional deposit.

How do I actually move the money?

You have three easy ways to make your transfer:

  • Digital Banking: Log in to your Elements online banking or mobile app and perform a simple Account Transfer from your Elements savings or checking account into your Certificate.
  • Over the Phone: Give us a call at 800-621-2105, and our team can move the funds for you instantly.
  • In Person: Stop by any Elements branch to make a deposit or transfer with a member of our team.

Quick Pro-Tip

Since you’ve already locked in that 3.50% APY1, the sooner you move those additional funds (like your tax refund) into the certificate, the more dividends you'll earn over the remainder of your 13-month term!

How are dividends calculated on a Certificate?

For each account, the dividend period is the account’s term. The dividend period begins on the first day of the term and ends on the maturity date.

What is the penalty for early withdrawal on a Certificate?

The amount of the early withdrawal penalty is based on the term of your account. The penalty is calculated as a forfeiture of part of the dividends that have been or would be earned on the account.

Why should I choose Elements for a Certificate?

Like a Bank, Only Better!

Better Rates. Fewer Fees.

Because we’re a credit union, we return profits to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates.

Trusted Advice. Fresh Approach.

We pride ourselves in being a trusted source for financial education. Your financial wellness expert will come to your workplace to answer questions and provide you with one-on-one assistance as you navigate the changes that come with each of life's stages.

Respected Locally. Accessed Globally.

Headquartered in Indianapolis since 1930, we rank among the top 5% of credit unions nationally4. We serve members in all 50 states and 50+ countries. You’ll have access to 5,000 shared branches nationwide and 90,000+ surcharge-free ATMs globally.

High Tech. Human Touch.

Our technology makes banking with Elements easy. From quick digital applications to online and mobile banking, we’ll be by your side wherever you go. We’re here for you with member service available 24/7 and live chat during the workday.

How do I open an Advantage Certificate?

Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Buy an Advantage Certificate online - Open an Avantage Certificate account online in as little as 10 minutes. Or call 1-800-621-2105 to get started. Have your government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and your Social Security number ready.
  2. Check your email - You will receive an email within one business day to notify you that your Certificate account is approved. That’s it! You now own an Elements Certificate.
  3. Enroll in Online Banking - Easily check your balances, make loan payments, pay bills and transfer money between accounts from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop. Learn more about Online Banking.

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I found the certificate rates at Elements and knew I needed to take advantage of them. Best in town!!

- Tanner E. | Member since 2015

How Much Will My Certificate Earn?

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  1. 1 Advantage Certificate Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of May 1, 2026, and may change without notice. Minimum deposit of $1,000 to open certificate. Primary members under the age of 18 must have a $500 minimum deposit to open certificate. Minimum of $500 balance required to earn dividends. With the Advantage Certificate, one (1) additional deposit may be credited to the certificate within the first six months of the term. The maximum allowable additional deposit must not exceed the amount of the initial deposit. For example, if you open this certificate with a $1,000 deposit, the amount of the one additional deposit is limited to $1,000. Any funds over $1,000 will be transferred into your member share account. All Advantage Certificates automatically renew into a 1 year share certificate at the then current dividend rate and APY, with no option for additional deposits.  Maximum three (3) Advantage Certificates per household. Penalty for early withdrawal. Elements reserves the right to amend or discontinue offers at any time and to limit the balance of a certificate at any time.
  2. 2 Member Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of May 1, 2026, and may change after account opening without notice. 0.10% APY on balances $100.00-$2,499.99; 0.15% APY on balances $2,500.00-$49,999.99; 0.20% APY on balances $50,000.00 and Above. Minimum daily balance of $100 required to earn dividends. $5 required minimum balance to open the account. No monthly Maintenance Service Charge. Fees may reduce earnings. 
  3. 3 High Yield Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of May 1, 2026. High Yield Savings is a tiered savings account paying a variable dividend rate, that may change at any time, on the entire balance in your account based on the rate for the tier corresponding to each day’s daily balance. The account is available for new money only which are funds not on deposit at Elements for 90 days prior to opening the High Yield Savings account. Existing Elements members with savings accounts must deposit $25,000.00 or more of new money within 10 days of opening the High Yield Savings account. Existing Elements members with savings accounts with combined daily balances of $2,500.00 or less for the 90 days prior to account opening are excluded from the new money requirement. Additional information for each tier: An APY of 0.10% applies to accounts with balances from $0.01 to $99.99. An APY of 0.10% applies to accounts with balances from $100.00 to $2,499.99. An APY of 0.25% applies to accounts with balances from $2,500.00 to $9,999.99. An APY of 2.00% applies to accounts with balances from $10,000.00 to $24,999.99. An APY of 2.25% applies to accounts with balances from $25,000.00 to $49,999.99. An APY of 2.55% applies to accounts with balances from $50,000.00 to $99,999.99. An APY of 2.80% applies to accounts with balances from $100,000.00 to $249,999.99. An APY of 2.90% applies to accounts with balances of $250,000.00 and above. At least one account holder must be 18 years of age. Other qualifications may apply. Offer may be discontinued at any time. Fees may reduce earnings.
  4. 4 Based on asset size as of 9/3/2024.