Investment Accounts
Let FFCCU take the worry out of investing, with clear answers and smart investment savings account solutions that match your goals.
Whether your savings goals are long-term (hello, retirement!) or more short-term, like saving for a new car or upcoming wedding, FFCCU offers investment savings account solutions that can help you maximize your return, whatever your timeframe.
Put your money to work for you with investment accounts from FFCCU.
Types of Investment Accounts Available at FFCCU
Certificates
Certificates are the tried and trusted way to earn interest on your money with minimal risk.
Certificates are a versatile investment choice that can help you save for future expenses with a clear target date, such as college tuition or other big-ticket items. With FFCCU, you can choose from certificates with terms ranging from 3 to 60 months, allowing you to lock in a great rate depending on your investing goals. Whether you’re saving for a wedding, college, vacation, or something else, our certificates can help you reach your financial objectives. Simply choose the term that works best for you and make an initial deposit to get started.
Right now, earn up to 2.75% APY!* Take advantage of this great rate today before it’s gone!
Money Market Accounts
Get Full Access to Your Money While Still Earning the Best Return on Your Investment
An FFCCU Money Market account is a valuable benefit that gives you access to your money at any time while still earning a higher potential return on your investments. With four tiers to choose from, you can select the option that best fits your needs. You can make unlimited deposits into your account, and you can withdraw or transfer up to a set amount without incurring a withdrawal penalty, depending on your tier. So why wait? Start earning higher returns with your investments today with FFCCU’s Money Market account.
Find the tier that works for you
IRAs
Save for retirement with no monthly fees!
FFCCU offers a wide range of IRA products to help you reach your retirement goals. With just $50, you can open an account with us – with no monthly fees and reliable monthly dividends. Our IRAs are a great way to invest in your future income and minimize your tax liability over a period of time, whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or you’re ready to start investing in your retirement investments now. So why wait? Start building your retirement plan today with FFCCU’s flexible and affordable IRA options.
Why Choose An FFCCU Invest Account?
At FFCCU, we’re committed to putting you, our members, first in everything we do. As a community credit union, we offer personalized service and competitive interest rates to help you achieve your financial goals. Our investment advisers are here to help you explore the various types of savings accounts available at FFCCU and determine which ones align with your needs and risk suitability. Whether you’re looking for long-term savings options or want to take advantage of tax deductions, we have a range of asset allocation options to suit your needs. Plus, as an online bank with mobile banking capabilities, we make it easy for you to manage your finances from anywhere. Let us help you create a financial plan that works for you and take advantage of the attractive benefits of banking with a credit union.
Investments Backed by ASI
Each FFCCU member account is insured up to $250,000 through American Share Insurance (ASI), the nation’s largest provider of private share insurance for credit unions since 1974. This level of protection is often hard to find from a brokerage firm or other investment partner. It also means we back up our advice with protection along the way
Serving Ohio since 1936
We know Ohio because we live and work here too. Wherever you live in Northeast Ohio, we can help:
- Cuyahoga
- Geauga
- Lake
- Lorain
- Medina
- Summit
- Portage
What types of investment accounts are right for you?
When it comes to investing, it’s important to have a solid understanding of your financial goals and a plan in place to achieve them. That’s where we come in. As an FFCCU member, you’ll have access to a dedicated advisor who can help you navigate the various types of savings accounts available and determine the best investment options for your needs. During your meeting with your advisor, we’ll ask you some important questions to get a sense of your short-term and long-term goals, your retirement timeline, and any major expenses you’re hoping to save for.
- What are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
- When do you hope to retire?
- What major expenses are you hoping to save for?
With this information in mind, we’ll help you explore the investment options available at FFCCU that offer maximum investment flexibility and the potential for high returns with low tax liability. For instance, a Smart Money Management account or retirement investments such as an IRA may be suitable options if you’re focused on long-term savings. On the other hand, if you’re a beginner investor or looking to save for college tuition, a certificate account could be a great choice. Our advisors can also help you understand the tax implications of your investment choices, whether it’s federal taxes or normal taxes on your portfolio returns.
No matter what your investing goals may be, our advisors can help you create a financial plan that takes into account your risk tolerance, cost of living, and other factors. We’ll work with you to determine the best course of action to help you achieve your financial objectives, whether it’s saving for retirement, paying off student loans, or simply growing your wealth on a percentage basis. As a credit union, we offer an alternative to traditional banks and private banks, with lower borrowing rates and the potential for higher returns on your portfolio. Plus, with the option for online and mobile banking, it’s easy to manage your investments and track your progress wherever you are.
Get Help From An Expert/Get Guidance
Start saving towards your goals. Tell us what you want to save, and we’ll help calculate how to get there!
Whether you’re saving for college, a wedding or the down payment on a new home, our savings calculator can help you align your goals with a targeted investment plan.
FAQs
What’s the different between a cd and a certificate?
Just the name. You may have heard of a CD, certificate of deposit, or share certificate – it’s called many things, but no matter the name, a certificate is a great tool to have in your financial toolkit. A certificate is a type of savings account that can hold a fixed amount of money for a chosen period of time. Just think of it as an account where the financial institution pays you interest in exchange for the guarantee that you won’t withdraw your cash until a specific amount of time has passed, such as three months, five years, or nearly any term in between.
A certificate offers the benefit of a higher interest rate on your deposits compared to a regular savings account, and it works for saving for short-medium term goals.
What is a certificate ladder?
Many people don’t know they can use certificates to their advantage by creating a “ladder.” To complete a ladder, look at how much you can invest in certificates. For example, if you have $10,000 to invest, you may put 25% in a 60-month certificate, another 25% in a 36-month certificate, and so on. Once each certificate matures, you reinvest this money into additional certificates of various lengths, depending on the interest rates in the market at that time.
Suppose the available APY for certificates decreases substantially. In that case, you can take some of the money once the term is up and place it into a savings account, Roth IRA, or any other place of your choosing. You can reinvest that money in a certificate later when rates have risen again.
A certificate ladder is a strategy for saving that allows you to earn significant interest without tying up a large sum of money indefinitely. It gives you more flexibility with your certificates by allowing access to some of your investment money sooner with your shorter-term certificates.
Additionally, if you’re worried about APY fluctuating too much, a ladder can be a great strategy to allow you to take advantage of higher APY rates with your longer certificates. At the same time, you can reinvest your shorter-term certificates if the APY increases or remove the funds if the APY decreases. It’s also safer than other saving strategies because the financial institution insures your certificates.
What is an investment savings account?
An investment savings account, also known as a money market account or a high-yield savings account, is a type of financial institution account that typically offers a higher interest rate in exchange for higher minimum deposits or other restrictions, such as withdrawal limits. These accounts can be a good option for people who want to earn a higher return on their money without taking on too much risk.
What are the best investment accounts?
The best investment accounts depend on your savings goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. For example, a couple in their retirement years may be better off with guaranteed returns from low-risk investments, while a young person with extra cash on hand may benefit from higher-risk investments that have the potential for higher returns over the long term. It’s important to work with a financial advisor to determine the investment strategy that is right for you based on your income level, cash flow, and other factors.
What is the difference between an IRA and a brokerage account?
An IRA, or individual retirement account, is a type of investment account that offers tax-deferred or tax-free savings for retirement. IRA contributions may be tax-deductible and have initial investment requirements, but they also come with limits on how much you can contribute and when you can make withdrawals. A brokerage account, on the other hand, is a type of investment account that allows you to buy and sell stocks, securities, and mutual funds more freely. Brokerage accounts are typically taxed on interest, dividends, and capital gains annually, and there are no limits on how much you can contribute.
Is there a difference between saving or investing?
Yes, there is a difference between saving and investing. Saving refers to setting aside money for the future, while investing involves putting money into different accounts or investment products, such as stocks, certificates, or property, that have the potential to earn interest or dividends.
What type of investment is best for beginners?
If you’re just starting out with investing, it’s important to consider your comfort level with risk. Low-risk products, such as traditional savings accounts or high-yield savings accounts, may offer a lower return on your investment but often come with some form of guarantee, while higher-risk products, such as individual stocks or riskier investment firms, may have the potential for higher returns but also come with a higher risk of losing money in the short or long term. As a beginner, it may be a good idea to start with low-risk investments and gradually increase your risk tolerance as you become more comfortable with the investment process. It’s always a good idea to work with a financial advisor to determine the best investment strategy for you based on your income level, cash flow, and other factors.
Share Certificates
Put your savings to work for you with our market-leading certificate rates, designed to help you achieve your investment objectives. Maximize your money with minimum risk: With market-leading certificate rates that offer a higher rate of return compared to regular savings accounts, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of a credit union… (read more)
Money Market Accounts
You don’t have to sacrifice higher earnings for liquidity. An FFCCU Money Market account lets you have access to your money at any time while still earning higher dividends. We offer four tiers that let you choose the best way to gain. You can make unlimited deposits and you can withdraw or transfer up to… (read more)
IRAs
FFCCU offers a wide range of IRA products to help make your retirement dreams come true. Just $50 is required to open the Traditional or Roth IRA. There are no monthly fees**, dividends are paid monthly, and contributions can be made in lump sums or by regular deposits throughout the year. We offer the following… (read more)
