Credit union · NCUA insured
Sentinel Federal Credit Union Carrot Score
A $197M credit union headquartered in Ellsworth AFB, SD, with 9,857 members and 7 branches in South Dakota.
Sentinel Federal Credit Union Carrot Score
76
Carrot Score
Higher than 41% of U.S. banks and credit unions
- CDsNot scored
- Savings83
- Auto loans79
- Credit cards69
Each bar is every U.S. bank and credit union, lowest score to highest. Choose a product to see its rates.
Where Sentinel Federal Credit Union ranks
By Carrot score, in each area where it has branches
Scores run from 60 to 99; 90 and up means rates near the best in the country. Top Carrot marks a score of 87 or more, the top quarter of U.S. banks and credit unions. It’s about rates only, not safety, service or who can join.
By product
How each product scores
How its rates compare with every U.S. bank and credit union. Open a product to see them.
CDs
Not scoredSavings
83top 37% nationally
| Balance | Its rate | Beats | U.S. median | Top 25% atTop 25% | Top 10% at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 0.80% | 81% | 0.20% | 0.50% | 1.51% |
| $10,000 | 0.80% | 64% | 0.50% | 1.15% | 2.20% |
| $100,000 | 1.00% | 50% | 1.00% | 2.01% | 2.93% |
| Qualified | 0.80% | 58% | 0.60% | 1.31% | 2.43% |
Best rates 61.1 · all balances 63.4 → 62.0 → 83
Auto loans
79beats 48% nationally
| Vehicle | Its rate | Beats | U.S. median | Top 25% atTop 25% | Top 10% at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New vehicle | 5.24% | 44% | 5.00% | 4.74% | 4.25% |
| Used vehicle | 5.24% | 58% | 5.39% | 4.99% | 4.49% |
Best rates 58.1 · all vehicles 51.0 → 55.3 → 79
Credit cards
69beats 24% nationally
| Card | Its rate | Beats | U.S. median | Top 25% atTop 25% | Top 10% at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 12.74% | 24% | 10.90% | 9.90% | 8.90% |
Best rates 24.2 · all rates 24.2 → 24.2 → 69
Where the score could improve
- Auto loans, New vehicle4.74%5.24% today, lower than 44% of U.S. institutions. 4.74% would reach the top quarter; 4.25% the top 10%.
- Auto loans, Used vehicle4.99%5.24% today, lower than 58% of U.S. institutions. 4.99% would reach the top quarter; 4.49% the top 10%.
- Savings, $100,0002.01%1.00% today, higher than 50% of U.S. institutions. 2.01% would reach the top quarter; 2.93% the top 10%.
- To score in the 90s3.19%At least one product needs a rate near the best in the country, like 3.19% or more on a $100,000 savings (1.00% today), and strong rates on its other balances.
Scores update as rates change. Institutions can correct a rate we show; payment never changes a score.
Method
How the score works
- Each product gets a standingWe compare its CD, savings, auto loan and credit card rates with every bank and credit union in the U.S. and give each product a standing out of 100. Its best rates count the most. For loans and cards, lower rates rank higher.
- Its two best products set the scoreWe average its two strongest products. Each extra product it publishes adds 1.5 points, so sharing more rates can only help.
- Its rank puts it on the 60–99 scaleWe rank that number against every scored bank and credit union in the country to get a score from 60 to 99. The top quarter earn Top Carrot.
How Sentinel Federal Credit Union got its score
Its products stand at 62.0 for savings, 55.3 for auto loans and 24.2 for credit cards, out of 100. Its best two, savings and auto loans, average 58.7. Publishing three products adds 1.5, for 60.2. That puts it ahead of 41% of U.S. banks and credit unions: a Carrot Score of 76.
The fine print: inside each product, its best rates make up 60% of its standing and all its rates the rest. Its best rates are its two best CD terms, its $10,000 and Qualified savings or money market rates, the better of its new and used auto loan rates, and its credit card purchase rate. The Qualified rate is the best $10,000 rate you can get by opening another account or meeting monthly requirements (or the standard rate, if that’s higher). Rates that need monthly activity get half credit for the extra they pay, and rates that need a combined balance count only from that balance. We subtract monthly fees and count an intro rate at what it earns over a full year. Accounts for kids, students, seniors, businesses, IRAs and health savings aren’t scored.