function calculatePsecuRate() {
var deposit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('depositAmount').value);
var apy = parseFloat(document.getElementById('yieldRate').value) / 100;
var months = parseFloat(document.getElementById('termMonths').value);
var compoundFreq = parseFloat(document.getElementById('compounding').value);
if (isNaN(deposit) || isNaN(apy) || isNaN(months)) {
alert("Please enter valid numerical values in all fields.");
return;
}
var years = months / 12;
// APY is the annual effective rate. For standard yield calculations:
// Final Amount = Principal * (1 + (Rate/n))^(n*t)
// However, if APY is provided directly, we use the APY compounding logic:
// For simple comparison we use the standard compound interest formula
var totalValue = deposit * Math.pow((1 + (apy / compoundFreq)), (compoundFreq * years));
var earnings = totalValue – deposit;
var monthly = earnings / months;
document.getElementById('totalEarnings').innerHTML = "$" + earnings.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('finalBalance').innerHTML = "$" + totalValue.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('monthlyGain').innerHTML = "$" + monthly.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('psecu-results').style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding PSECU Yield Rates and Dividends
When looking at a PSECU rate calculator, it is essential to distinguish between dividend rates on savings products and the interest rates applied to loans. This tool specifically focuses on the Yield Rate—the amount your money earns when placed in a PSECU certificate, money market account, or regular savings share.
Key Factors in PSECU Yield Calculations
To accurately project your growth within the credit union, you must consider three primary variables:
Principal Deposit: The initial amount of capital you commit to the account. Higher deposits in specific "Tiered" accounts often unlock higher yield percentages.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY): This reflects the total amount of dividends paid on an account, based on the dividend rate and the frequency of compounding for a 365-day period.
Compounding Frequency: Most credit union products compound dividends daily and credit them to your account monthly. The more frequent the compounding, the faster your balance grows.
Example: 12-Month Certificate Growth
If you were to deposit $10,000 into a 12-month PSECU Certificate with an APY of 4.25%, the calculation would look like this:
Initial Deposit: $10,000
Duration: 12 Months
Total Dividends Earned: $425.00
Ending Balance: $10,425.00
How to Maximize Your PSECU Rates
Credit unions like PSECU often provide promotional rates for "New Money" or specific certificate terms (such as a 7-month or 15-month "Special"). Using a rate calculator allows you to compare these promotional terms against standard savings accounts to see which provides the best return on your liquidity. Remember that certificates usually carry a penalty for early withdrawal, whereas Money Market accounts offer lower rates but higher flexibility.
By monitoring the APY fluctuations and using this calculator, you can strategically move funds between liquid shares and time-bound certificates to ensure your capital is always performing at its peak potential.