First Trade Union Bank is offering a 3% APY 36-month CD. As rates continue to fall, anything at 3% or above is starting to look good.

First Trade Union is based in Boston and has been competitive on the rate tables for the past six months.

The only downside to First Union is the mail-in application. Still, as others have pointed out, the process is as good as can be expected from a paper application process. Neil writes on the First Trade Union page:

"The process to open an account at FTUB is as easy as can be expected with a mail-in application. Overall, my opening of a new account went as fast (or faster) at FTUB as with accts that can accept an immediate ACH transfer for funding. The requirement for mailing in your application and funding check should not be considered a total negative. My experience with "immediate" ACH funding is that it's not really "immediate". Don't ever expect to be able to transfer $ from an existing account into a newly-opened account (at FTUB or anywhere else) in a day or two. Not gonna happen. The set-up of this account went faster than setting up at some other banks that did not require postal application."

First Trade Bank has received 5 out of 5 stars (Excellent) from Bauer Financial for its safety and soundness.

Compare the best 36-month CD rates.

Citibank is offering an 18-month CD that pays 2.25% APY. That's currently the best 18-month CD rate according to the BestCashCow rate tables.

Even as a ward of the state, Citi is willing to be competitive in some terms. Usually, these deals at the big banks don't last long. Citi has a history of popping a competitive rate for a few weeks and then dropping it. So, if you want a competitive rate from a big bank, then you should consider acting sooner rather than later.

Details are:

• A minimum opening deposit of $500 is required for CDs opened online.
• Interest is paid monthly for all CDs with terms greater than one year.
• CDs renew automatically at maturity for the same term you initially selected. In addition, the amount you have on deposit will receive the rate in effect at the time your CD matures. If you don't want to renew, you have a 7-calendar day grace period to let Citi know online, by phone or in writing.

Choice Financial, a North Dakota based financial company, is offering a 13-month CD paying 2.51% APY. The CD also has some flexibility, allowing customers to deposit additional money into the CD after opening as long as the deposits do not exceed the initial funding amount. The 2.51% rate for a 13-month CD is very competitive when compared against the best 12-month CD rates on the BestCashCow rate tables.

The minimum to open an account is $5,000.

Application and Funding

I confirmed the CD offer was available nationally. The CD can be opened online and funded via an electronic ACH transfer from another account, a check, or a wire transfer. The rate locks at the moment the application is submitted.

About Choice Financial Groups

Choice Financial Groups is a Fargo, North Dakota financial services company formed from the merger of four local banks. The company has a 4 out of 5 star rating from Bauer Financial for its safety and soundness.