When you purchase a Certificate, you invest a fixed sum of money for a fixed period of time (or term) one year, two years, or more – and, in exchange, we pay you dividends, typically on a monthly basis. When you cash in or redeem your Certificate, you receive the money you originally invested plus any accrued dividends. But if you redeem your certificate before it matures, you may have to pay an early withdrawal penalty or forfeit a portion of the dividends you earned.