NFCU Special EasyStart CD Questions

Varsity_Lu · ‎07-06-2025

I posted this on another thread but thought it should get its own since it is a different question all together. @FicoMike0 suggested I get a NFCU Special EasyStart CD. I have a few questions about this CD.

In the fine print it says to get the best rate you need a checking account with direct deposit. I opened the EveryDay Checking account, but I don't want to do a traditional direct deposit because of a difficult HR situation at my work. But in the terms, it says the direct deposit requirement can also be met by "monthly Non-payroll ACH or payroll allotment totaling at least $500 and recurring for at least three out of four consecutive months that are deposited into Navy Federal deposit accounts where you are Primary Owner."

So, if I just move $500 via ACH from Fidelity into my checking account each month, I can keep the highest rate? If this is true, can I ACH the deposit back out of my NFCU checking account to Fidelity the next day and still meet the requirement? My thinking is that I want to get the high rate, but I don't want to park money in a low interest checking account.

Thoughts?

FICO® 8: 840 (Eq) · 831 (Ex) · 812 (TU)

FicoMike0 · ‎07-06-2025

That should work.

I have a smaller income source that I dd to navy. I pay a lot of accounts from it. Keep my main dd with fidelity.

I'm glad I opened easy start when I did, I locked in 5.16%.

FicoMike0 · ‎07-06-2025

Btw, I've noticed that I can push from USB to navy instantly! This works into Huntington, Wells and amex as well.

ptatohed · ‎07-06-2025

I guess I just don't see the point. Why pick a CD that makes you do work? 4.30% is " a'ight " but not stellar. Why not pick a CD that doesn't require effort?

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card // primis Perks debit Visa (50c CB per transaction (5% CB or more up to $10 spend))

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

Vinjints · ‎07-06-2025

For my purposes, I got the CD to add an additional product with Navy before apping for their card. I also point out that when I went in branch to get it setup, she turned specifically to check for DD before assigning the terms.

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ptatohed · ‎07-06-2025

@Vinjints wrote:
For my purposes, I got the CD to add an additional product with Navy before apping for their card. I also point out that when I went in branch to get it setup, she turned specifically to check for DD before assigning the terms.

I walked in, opened a $5 only savings and walked out same day with a Flagship card. Got the $350 (I think it was?) new customer open-a-card bonus and later the $400 (I think it was?) elevated Flagship spend offer. No prob.

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card // primis Perks debit Visa (50c CB per transaction (5% CB or more up to $10 spend))

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

Varsity_Lu · ‎07-06-2025

@ptatohed wrote:

I walked in, opened a $5 only savings and walked out same day with a Flagship card. Got the $350 (I think it was?) new customer open-a-card bonus and later the $400 (I think it was?) elevated Flagship spend offer. No prob.

We're not all as special as you. 😏

FICO® 8: 840 (Eq) · 831 (Ex) · 812 (TU)

FicoMike0 · ‎07-06-2025

@ptatohed

I don't have a local branch, I'm sure if I did I could have walked in and charmed the pants off them too😃😃. I got a lot of advice against apping flagship right away, so I tried to open a few accounts. The 5% CD wasn't any work, I just opened it with $50. Later, when 5.16% started looking really good, I went back and maxed it.

The sub was nice, I agree.

NoHardLimits · ‎07-06-2025

I replied in your other thread, but will repost my answer here:

I have one of the Special EasyStart Certificates, and the only direct deposit that I maintain is simply automating a monthly $500 push from my Chase checking account to my NFCU Flagship checking. However, I don't ACH the funds back out. I use it to pay my NFCU credit card balance and to deposit a little extra to the certificate.

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