First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account
Enjoy Oregon tax benefits and competitive rates while you save for your first home.
SAVE TODAY FOR YOUR DREAM HOME TOMORROW
KEY BENEFITS
Tax advantages
Flexible timeline
No monthly fees
Federally insured
Why choose an OSCU First-Time Homebuyer Savings account?
Get tax benefits, no fees, and a direct path to homeownership when you open your First-Time Homebuyer Savings account.
Tax advantages
For up to 10 years, each year deduct up to $5,000 annually (or $10,000 for couples filing jointly) from taxable income for deposits and earnings.
Flexibility & versatility
Use funds within 10 years of account opening for loan-related costs, including:
- Down payment
- Closing costs
- Realtor fees
- Appraisals
Safe, high value savings
- Competitive rates
- No monthly fees
- Low minimum balance to earn dividends
- Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Share Insurance Fund, up to $250,000
Eligibility
Oregon residents who haven’t owned or purchased a single-family home in the last three years.
First-Time Homebuyer Savings account details
Effective date
Friday, December 19, 2025
| Account | Minimum balance to earn dividends* | Dividend Rate | Annual Percentage Yield (APY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Time Homebuyer Savings | $100 | 0.80% | 0.80% |
Minimum balance to open a First-time Homebuyer Savings account is $5.00. | |||
* Minimum balance that must be maintained each day to earn dividends. | |||
First-time Homebuyer Savings account rates
First-Time Homebuyer Savings
Minimum balance to open a First-time Homebuyer Savings account is $5.00.
* Minimum balance that must be maintained each day to earn dividends.
Limit of one First-Time Homebuyer Savings account per member. A First-Time Homebuyer Savings account can be opened anytime until December 31, 2026. Deposits can be made up to 10 years after the account is opened, or until the account holder(s) purchase a house, whichever comes first. If funds are not used to buy a house, a 5 percent penalty may be imposed by the Oregon Department of Revenue, and other tax consequences would apply.
The deductible contribution limits and penalties are set by the Oregon Department of Revenue and are subject to change by the Oregon Department of Revenue.
The Credit Union is not responsible or liable for the following:
- Determining or ensuring that an account satisfies the requirement to be a First-tTime Homebuyer Savings account.
- Determining or ensuring the funds in a First-Time Homebuyer Savings account are used for eligible costs.
- Reporting or remitting taxes or penalties related to the use of a First-Time Homebuyer Savings account.
Please consult your tax advisor or the Oregon Department of Revenue for the complete rules governing this account and any potential tax benefits.
It is the member’s responsibility to know if they qualify for tax advantages of a First-Time Homebuyer Savings account. Members should refer to a tax professional for specific tax implications. For more information and detailed requirements, visit the Oregon Department of Revenue website First-Time Homebuyer Savings section.
On or before January 31st of each year, Oregon State Credit Union will provide the account holder a certificate containing the date the account was created, the name of the account holder(s), the amount of funds contributed to the account during the tax year, the amount of the funds withdrawn from the account during the tax year and any other information required by the Oregon Department of Revenue.
This disclosure includes Truth in Savings information and certain transaction information regarding your Oregon State Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Savings account. Terms and conditions set forth in the Oregon State Credit Union Membership and Account Agreement, Electronic Fund Transfer Agreement and Disclosure, and Account Rate and Fee Schedule also apply to the First-Time Homebuyer Savings account.
Rate information
The Dividend Rate and Annual Percentage Yield may change monthly as determined by the Board of Directors. The Annual Percentage Yield is a percentage rate that reflects the total amount of dividends to be paid on an account based on the dividend rate and frequency of compounding for an annual period. Accounts closed prior to crediting dividends will not receive accrued dividends. The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield are set forth in the Rates and Fees page.
Nature of dividends
Dividends are paid from current income and available earnings after required transfers to reserves at the end of the dividend period. The Dividend Rate and Annual Percentage Yield set forth in the Account Rate and Fee Schedule are the prospective rates that the Credit Union anticipates paying for the dividend period. The dividend period begins on the first calendar day of the month and ends on the last calendar day of the month. Dividends begin to accrue on cash and noncash (e.g., checks) deposits on the business day you make the deposit to your account. If you close your account before accrued dividends are credited, accrued dividends will not be paid. Dividends are compounded and credited monthly.
Balance information
Dividends are calculated by the daily balance method, which applies a daily periodic rate to the principal in the account each day. The average daily balance is determined by adding the full amount of principal in the account for each day of the period and dividing that figure by the number of days in the period. There is a $5 minimum opening balance required on First-Time Homebuyer Savings accounts.
Transaction limitations
It is the member’s responsibility to know if they qualifies for an Oregon First-Time Homebuyer Saving account and to use the funds for qualified homeownership expenses. The member should refer to the Oregon Department of Revenue additional details or a tax professional for specific tax implications.
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